The Ranger 4-16-12

Vol. 86 Issue 19 • Single copies free • April 16, 2012 • 210-486-1773 • theranger.org

Keep student records safe

This week File FAFSA by May 1 May 1 is the deadline for guaranteed processing of FAFSAs for fall 2012.

To complete an online application, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

To request a paper application, call 1-800-433-3243.

Assistance to complete the FAFSA is available in the student financial services office, Room 101 of Fletcher Administration Center.

Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday and Wednesday though Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

For more information, call the student financial services office at 210-486-0200.

Faith Duarte

View new videos from H e a l t h Fest of the dunking booth and fitness at theranger. org.

Orientation stories in The Ranger Online For help finding your way around college, read stories designed to orient new students in this issue and online at theranger. org.

Although this is the last print issue of the spring, The Ranger Online will continue to post breaking news, slideshows and video through the end of the semester.

The first issue of the fall semester is Sept. 17.

Board of trustees meets Tuesday The Alamo Colleges board of trustees will meet at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

The Policy and Long-Range Planning Commitee will meet at 5:30 p.m.

To view agendas, visit alamo. edu and click About Us, Board of Trustees, Meeting Agenda and Click here to access board meeting agendas.

For more information, call board liaison Sandra Mora at 210485-0300.

Joshua Fechter

/ReadTheRanger

@TheRangerSAC

Scan The Ranger

Jill Sprowls of DPS parking enforcement issues students warnings for parking violations Wednesday in Lot 21 east of Nail. Effective today,

date construction of a new parking garage and student housing. An exact date of closure has not been confirmed, but he said the date of closure may be pushed into August.

Mrizek said a portion of Lot 33 might be closed to accommodate construction, but the decision is not final.

The construction is part of the public-private partnership forged between this college and the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association to

No matter how long or brief the period of time you spend in college, it is an investment in your future.

Keeping records is an easy way students can proBy MELISSA tect themselves GONZALES and preserve the time and effort sac-ranger@alamo. they have invested edu in their education.

It is as easy as designating a box that holds all paperwork and feedback while enrolled in college.

It is not necessary to designate specific files for everything.

So don’t be overwhelmed by the thought of keeping records; it is actually just keeping a backup of everything you have done, experts say.

Technology is advancing, and it has changed the way colleges and universities handle student records.

Almost all transactions are electronically transmitted and saved.

Regardless of the way transactions are processed, it is important for students to keep accurate records of anything that may have an impact on their futures.

This includes everything from scholarship applications to payments and coursework, even class syllabuses.

Fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt emphasized the importance of retaining syllabuses, tests and any work submitted for a grade as relevant documentation for many reasons.

See PARKING, Page 11

See RECORDS, Page 10

Lots 21 and 30 will become faculty and staff parking only. Felipe Perez Jr.

Student parking revoked Parking to be slashed throughout summer.

Beginning today, students parking in Lot 21 east of the tennis courts will be issued a parking citation.

David Mrizek, vice president of college servicBy J. es, said the lot ALMENDAREZ was originally for faculty and jalmendarez25@student. staff only but alamo.edu was opened to students because construction of the parking garage limited student

parking in 2006. He said when construction was completed in January 2008, the lot was supposed to be closed to students and signs were posted to inform them they were no longer permitted to park in the lot. However, ticketing was never enforced and signs were removed.

Mrizek also said that in late July, student parking Lots 26 and 31, surrounding Luther’s Café at 1425 N. Main Ave., will close to accommo-

Committee OKs tuition increase Pending board approval, the increase will take effect in fall 2012.

Despite a split vote of 2-2, the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee of the Alamo Colleges board of trustees recommended a 3 percent tuition increase at its meeting Tuesday.

Agenda items do not require a committee recommendation to be considered by the full board.

By JOSHUA If the board approves the increase for 2012FECHTER 13, students enrolled in one to six credit hours would pay $480 for in-district tuition. This would jfechter@student. be an increase of $14 from the fall 2011 cost of alamo.edu attendance.

If approved, out-of-district tuition for students taking one to six credit hours would increase to $1,138, and out-of-state tuition would rise to $2,146.

Students enrolled in seven or more credit hours would pay a base rate of $543 and an additional $56-$58 per credit hour for in-district tuition.

The current tuition for seven or more credit hours this year is $56 per credit hour plus a $135 general fee.

If approved, out-of-district tuition for students taking seven or more credit hours would rise to a base rate of $1,350 and $173-$174 per additional credit hour, while out-of-state tuition increases to a base rate of $2,562 and $346-$347 per additional credit hour.

Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the increase would produce an additional $4 million in revenue to support a projected 5 percent increase in enrollment for 2012-13.

District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez asked Snyder why the proposed increase was being brought to the board before its May 5 budget retreat.

See TUITION, Page 11

The family of the late U.S. Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez wants him memorialized on campus. The longest-serving Hispanic congressman was this college’s first Outstanding Former Student. See story on Page 10. File

Lack of graduates means closing programs In April 2010, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopted the rules of “Annual Report of LowProducing Programs,” which gives underperforming

By DIANA degree plans the PALOMO possibility of going under review and dpalomo9@ possibly terminatstudent.alamo.edu ed.

Degrees with an average of fewer than 25 students in five years, or fewer than five students per year, are subject to the review.

The programs have an opportunity to

go under a review and be possibly deactivated. If a degree program is deactivated, courses for the degree plan eventually will be removed from the class schedule.

Courses can remain unavailable up to three years. After the process, the decision must be made by the president whether to discontinue or continue the courses and degree.

Before a degree plan is terminated, it must first go through a system of checks and balances.

Vernell Walker, dean of professional

See CLOSING, Page 10

CALENDAR

2 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org/calendar

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

Monday SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi 10 a.m.-noon on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Performance: Guitar Ensemble sponsored by fine arts 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-4860255.

Friday

SAC Event: Karaoke sponsored by student life 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128.

SAC Event: Leadership “Listening” sponsored by student life 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Continues Thursday. Call 210-486-0134.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Performance: Honors recital sponsored by fine arts 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-4860255.

SAC Event: Coffeehouse open mic night sponsored by student life and Cheshyre Cheese Club 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in round in Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

Saturday Event: Global Youth Service Day sponsored by City Year San Antonio at St. PJ’s Children’s Home, 919 Mission. Email mcano11@cityyear.org.

SAC Men’s Baseball: SAC vs. Texas A&M University 10 a.m.-noon and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in College Station.

Continues 10 a.m.-noon Sunday. Call 210-486-0126.

Tuesday SAC Event: Speak Out sponsored by fine arts 3 p.m.-5 p.m. in classrooms in McAllister and theater in McCreless. Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Performance: Early Music Ensemble sponsored by fine arts at 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

Wednesday SAC Event: Day of Silence sponsored

by Gay Ally and Lesbian Association at 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in mall. Call 210-4860673.

SAC Workshop: Writing Workshop “21st Century Researching Strategies” sponsored by the writing center at 10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.-2:50 p.m.

Thursday in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-1433.

SAC Event: Earth Day festival sponsored by Center for Civic Engagement in student life 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0127.

SAC Event: Doubles pingpong tournament sponsored by student life 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in Bailey’s Cyber Café in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: Office of Student Life awards banquet 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in Loftin.

Call 210-486-0128.

Thursday SAC Event: Job fair sponsored by career services at 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860142.

SAC Event: Fashion Show “Magic Closet” sponsored by Network Power/Texas at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Loftin cafeteria. Call 210-219-1285 or 210-827-0055.

Event: “Let’s Talk About Bullying” from Project Runway finalist Joshua McKinley sponsored by Gay Ally and Lesbian Association 10:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-4860673.

Event: “Legislate This!” sponsored by Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region Inc. 7 p.m. in ND at 501 Studios at E. 5th St. and Brushy St. in Austin.

Doors open 6:30 p.m. $15 online and $20 at the door. Call 512-485-3001.

Alamo Academies 1 Hackers 0 National competition requires high school students to examine a body.

A

lamo Academies is a program that prepares young San Antonians for well-paid professional careers.

The academies offer dual credit programs that ease students into their college studies.

Cyberpatriot IV is a competition devised by the Air Force Association and sponsored by Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company. Their partnership with Alamo Colleges promotes a dominant U.S. Air Force and a strong national defense.

The competition was March 23 at the Gaylord Hotel in Washington, D.C., with 12 teams in the diviBy OSITA sion.

OMESIETE The first part of the competition was five hours, and the objective was to ward off sac-ranger@alamo.edu hackers from corrupting or stealing information. Active hackers attempt to infiltrate the computers, and the students fight back to prevent the intrusion.

Computer information systems Professor Mike Matuszek said, “My students were frustrating the hackers.”

Students must protect 10 computers, but only five students can operate at once.

Forensics made up the second part of the competition. The teams had to examine a body, actually a dummy, and analyze the evidence. The competition was too close to call so the forensics portion was included. Normally, it is excluded.

At the awards ceremony that evening, the Alamo Academies team was awarded a first-place trophy, a gold cup overflowing with microchips.

“When third and second place were called, we grew a little nervous, but then they called out our team for first place,” Matuszek said.

The winning students each earned a medal and a $2,000 scholarship.

For more information, call Alamo Academies at 210-485-0811.

April 23 SAC Performance: Choir concert sponsored by fine arts 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-4860255.

April 24 SAC Event: Ultimate Marvel vs.

Capcom 3 tournament 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in Bailey’s Cyber Café in Loftin. Call 210486-0126.

SAC Event: Cigarette butt round-up sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese Club 3 p.m.-4 p.m. at Belknap and Dewey.

Every other Tuesday. Call 210-4860668.

SAC Lecture: Multicultural Conference 2012 presents “The Middle East: The Cradle of Civilization” by Asslan Khaligh 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0663.

April 25 SAC Lecture: Multicultural Conference 2012 presents San Antonio’s first Poet Laureate Carmen Tafolla 9 a.m.-9:50 a.m., “The Shell Game: The American-Afghan Opium Relationship” by Sean Duffy 11 a.m.11:50 a.m. and “Liberty and Hispanic Reality–A Constitutional Perspective”

by Fernando Piñon noon-12:50 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210486-0663.

SAC Workshop: Writing Workshop “Using Quotes to Build Support” sponsored by writing center 10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.-2:50 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-1433.

SAC Event: Leadership “Dealing with Adversity and Apathy” sponsored by student life 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Continues April 26. Call 210-486-0126.

Hollywood’s take on hackers, counterclockwise from top right: “Swordfish”; “War Games”; “Live Free, Die Hard”; “War Games”; “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”; “Sneakers”; “War Games”; “Matrix.”

Courtesy photo

View this week’s People slideshow at www.theranger.org

News

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 3

www.theranger.org

Spring, Start Two, Flex 2

Final Exam Schedule Monday, May 7 (MWF and MW) Class Time 7 a.m. — 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

10 a.m. — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

1 p.m. — 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

3:50 p.m. — 3:50 p.m.-6:20 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8 (TR) Class Time 8 a.m. — 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

10:50 a.m. — 10:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m.

1 p.m. — 1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m.

1:40 p.m. — 1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m.

Wednesday, May 9 (MWF and MW) Class Time 8 a.m. — 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

11 a.m. — 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

2 p.m. — 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

2:25 p.m. — 2:25 p.m.-4:55 p.m.

Thursday, May 10 (TR) Class Time 6:30 a.m. — 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m.

9:25 a.m. — 9:25 a.m.-11:55 p.m.

12:15 p.m. — 12:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

3:05 p.m. — 3:05 p.m.-5:35 p.m.

Friday, May 11 (MWF) Class Time 9 a.m. — 9 a.m.-11:30 Noon — noon-2:30 p.m.

Note: Final exams for evening and weekend classes are given during class hours. Department chairs can schedule final exam dates that do not conform to this schedule.

Registration now open for all Open registration begins today for all new and current students so they should meet with advisers and counselors to make decisions about classes to fulfill degree requirements.

Students should act

By OSITA quickly because space is OMESIETE limited.

Public information sac-ranger@alamo.edu officer Julie Cooper said many students from universities, including her daughter, return to San Antonio to take the less expensive summer courses at this college.

“Students in her class (last summer) were asked to introduce themselves and none of them attended this college,” she said. “They were all from outside universities.”

Registration dates for Maymester, Summer 1 and 2 and the eight-week evening session began April 9.

The number of hours a student has accumulated determined registration dates.

The Maymester application deadline is April 23 and registration ends May 6.

For the Summer 1 and eight-week summer session, the application deadline is May 21 and registration ends May 27.

For Summer 2, the application deadline is June 25 and registration ends July 1. Tuition must be paid by 5 p.m. in person or midnight online on the payment deadline.

Students who register today through April 26 must pay tuition by April 26.

Students who register April 27-May 3 must pay by May 3.

Students who register May 4-13 must pay by May 13.

Time-ticketed registration for fall begins May 14 for students who have completed 46 or more hours, May 16 for students with more than 31 hours, May 17 for students with more than 16 hours and May 18 for students with more than one credit hour. Open registration begins May 21.

For more information, visit http://www. alamo.edu/calendars/ or call admissions at 210486-0700.

Pay bill or else Hang on to that paid tuition bill. New students cannot obtain a college identification card without it.

Diana Muñoz, accounts receivable clerk, said, “It is very difficult to get another receipt if the first one is misplaced.”

She said students will be referred to print from their online ACES account.

Holds on registration and a need for a student ID are important reasons to pay the bills for school on time.

Holds are like roadblocks in the college system that prevent students from enrolling in classes.

A payment method that is not advised by counselor Steve Samet but is an option for students is paying with credit.

Interest can accumulate, but using a credit card could be a possible option if students do not have funds at a payment deadline.

For more information, call the business office at 210-486-0201.

ID cards open doors to college services, library Students who have not been photographed for an Alamo Colleges ID or need to replace a lost card can do so by visiting Room 200A of Fletcher Administration Center.

Requirements for obtaining a college ID include Banner registration, a

college account balance of zero and a driver’s license or photo ID. Replacement fees for ID cards have risen from $5 to $10.

Civil engineering sophomore Jesse Fernandez said students no longer have to print tuition bills or

search for Banner numbers. At the office, the computers are able to track the student’s balance.

Students must have ID cards to use services such as library checkout, tutoring, discounted VIA bus cards and student labs at the col-

lege.

Student IDs also are necessary for discounted admission to plays produced by the fine arts department.

For more information, call 210486-0015.

Campus feline population falling, volunteers say Employees pay out-of-pocket to feed cats and trap them for spaying and vaccinations.

Fixed, vaccinated cats now roam freely across the campus, but without the never-ending stream of feral offspring. Over the past two years, there has been a decrease in cats around this college.

By REBECCA Last year, employees SALINAS participated in a Trap, Neuter and Release prosac-ranger@alamo.edu gram to capture feral cats to have them spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Then the cats can be released again.

This spring, employees are hoping to participate in the program again. Currently, cats are fed by employees with funds provided by employees, Hilda San Miguel, executive secretary to the vice president of college services, said. The cats do not cause any harm, she said.

About five employees feed the cats, including adjunct Professor Jerry Poole, who feeds the cats on holidays and calls them “my buddies.”

“The feeders are glad to help out,” San Miguel said. “Jerry Poole loves cats, and cats seem to like him.”

Poole hopes to get students involved and maybe even start a student club.

The spayed or neutered cats that remain at the college actually benefit the college because they keep other cats from moving in, San Miguel said. “It is better for them to stay,” she said.

The plan is to spay and neuter college cats so they will not reproduce and they can keep other cats and rodents away, San Miguel said.

Though students can adopt cats if they want to, Poole said it is necessary to be responsible and determined because he wants the cats to be in a good home. Poole was first to feed the cats, and cats recognize him and fellow feeder, visual arts lab technician Samuel Reyna, when they feed them, San Miguel said.

Employees are worried prices of spaying or neutering have increased, San Miguel said. Last year, the college received a package deal with

A cat spotted sitting on the wall behind visual arts April 8, 2011. Cats living on campus are being spayed and neutered by SpaySA, then released on campus.

costs of $10 per cat. Employees donated money for surgeries, but PetSmart Grant Charities paid a portion of the spaying or neutering.

For employees to participate in the program, they must attend a training session, though no training is required to feed the cats at any time, San Miguel said. Because of busy schedules, more employees have not yet been trained but plan to do so this spring.

Another issue was that cats migrated south because of renovations at the visual arts center, which made trapping more difficult than in the cats’ more familiar surroundings.

“Something scared them,” San Miguel said, but the cats have returned to the visual arts center.

The campus feral cats usually stay around the visual arts center and Oppenheimer Education Training Center, Poole said.

For more information, call San Miguel at 210-486-0938.

English Professor Jane Focht-Hansen pours cat food into bowls north of Loftin April 12, 2011.

Orientation

4 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

Board disses solo college Distinguished Grads Check ACES Vice president says recognition would be “unfair” to sister colleges without similar programs.

Distinguished Graduates have the opportunity to stand out from other students at this college because of their academic achievement.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs and direcBy DIANA tor of the Distinguished PALOMO Graduates program, said evidence shows dpalomo9@student. alamo.edu that students who graduate before they transfer do better than those students who don’t graduate.

Last year, Distinguished Graduates were recognized for their achievements during a meeting of the Alamo Colleges board of trustees.

This year, however, Howard said the board would not repeat the recognition of this college’s Distinguished Graduates at a board meeting because, she was told, it was unfair for this college to be recognized when other Alamo Colleges do not have this program.

Howard will present a PowerPoint of what they have done to promote graduation at a collegewide coffee 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Wednesday in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin Student Center.

Distinguished Graduates also will attend.

This year’s Distinguished Graduates will wear a special cord with caps and gowns during the May 12 commencement. They will have special recognition at the ceremony.

Additionally, they will receive T-shirts, their picture with an inspirational quote to be used in campus displays and on the college website and their names engraved on plaques in departments they represent.

The graduates presented a transfer fair March 7 and have created bookmarks and Facebook notices.

Important information from the college is regularly emailed.

EMT sophomore Timothy Hauptrie talks with the flier committee of Distinguished Graduates Feb. 22 in the craft room of Loftin. Graduates formed committees to brainstorm ideas for motivating other students to graduate.

Riley Stephens They have spoken to classes, asked professors to email students reminding them of graduation, and created QR codes to refer students to a graduation website.

They also have created a video, which Howard expects to view today.

Their efforts were in two phases — the graduation fair and publicity.

The graduates had to submit a summary of their participation in the fair.

Julie Cooper, public information officer, said the QR code is to lead students to the steps to graduation.

Robert Medina, radio-television-broadcasting media convergence sophomore, said it is a

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benefit to not get the program cut because of promotions for the program.

Medina mentioned this because it’s from Annual Report of Low-Producing Programs of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which has a policy requiring 25 graduates in five years in a program.

Leonard Herbeck, speech communication sophomore, said Distinguished Graduates all have different reasons for graduating.

Public administration sophomore Bertha Ovalle said the more graduates in the program, the more stability the program has.

For more information, contact Howard at 210-486-0950.

Information moves quickly online, but it doesn’t just move on Facebook.

At the Alamo Colleges, important information is sent through ACES student email accounts.

Scholarships, lectures, fun events, graduation information, job and transfer fairs and campus crime alerts are all notices campus faculty and staff send out to students via ACES email.

Public information officer Julie Cooper said she sends out one notice a week often on Thursday to notify students of important events.

“If you don’t check it, you don’t know it’s there,” she said.

ACES student email is the only way Alamo Colleges faculty and staff can email students outside of the classroom because they are not allowed to email outside addresses.

Notifications aside, professors use ACES student email to remind students about homework that is due.

Class cancellations also get sent to ACES student email as well as drop notices.

Cooper said that though some students complain about getting spam from her department, what they send is important information that follows Policy F.7.1, which she links to at the end of her emails.

To check your email, you can login at www. alamo.edu and click on the “login to ACES” tab on the front page.

Jacob Beltran

April 16, 2012

News

The Ranger • 5

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Committee OKs financial aid call services Vice chancellor says 70 percent of calls to financial aid offices go unanswered.

The Audit, Budget and Finance Committee of the Alamo Tomás Campos, director of student financial services at this Colleges board of trustees voted 3-1 to recommend $430,000 for college, said that staff have to balance answering phones with inbound call center services for student financial services at their helping students at the offices and examining financial aid meeting Tuesday. applications.

Dr. Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for stu“How have we been so successful, then?” Alderete asked.

By JOSHUA dent success, said 70 percent of calls to finan“We’re not,” District 2 trustee Denver McClendon said, referFECHTER cial aid offices go unanswered. Dr. Thomas ring to the 70 percent of unanswered calls.

Cleary, vice chancellor of planning, perforAccording to the minute order, the district would pay Hartejfechter@student. mance and information systems, said that 70 Hanks Inc. to handle students’ Tier 1 financial aid questions. alamo.edu percent constitutes tens of thousands of calls Silva said tier one topics consist of where to find the FAFSA annually. application online, the priority deadline for financial aid and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate said if stuwhen financial aid recipients can expect paydents do not receive responses to their financial ment.

“We are paying aid inquiries, they may be discouraged from Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance twice to get the enrolling. and administration, said tier one inquiries consame answers “The point is the more we can reduce barriers stitute 50 percent of calls to financial aid offices they’ve got to the more successful students will be,” Zárate said. at the colleges. begin with.”

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete asked if finanSilva said staff at the center would relay James Rindfuss cial aid offices could handle calls if the district questions related to specific items within an District 9 trustee hired more staff members. individual’s application, or Tier 2 questions, to “I’m not quite satisfied that by outsourcing, financial aid staff at the colleges. we’re going to achieve the best result for the stuDistrict 9 trustee James Rindfuss asked if dent,” Alderete said. call center staff would have access to Banner, and Snyder said “I believe our folks would tend to be better assistants, would they would have read-only access. be better advisers, would care more for student concerns, espeRindfuss asked if students could find financial aid informacially in this critical area.” tion on ACES without speaking with a call center representative.

The Ranger reported Feb. 10 that the district instituted a hirSnyder said although the information can be found in Banner, ing freeze in August 2003. students still seek confirmation from a financial aid representaSince summer 2010, it has been referred to as a hiring “chill.” tive.

Often positions at the colleges, particularly faculty, remain “We are paying twice to get the same answers they’ve got to unfilled, while positions at the district offices are filled or added. begin with,” Rindfuss said.

District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas asked where the call center is located. Snyder said it would either be located in Austin or Texarkana.

McClendon asked to whom students with Tier 2 inquiries would be referred if they called after office hours.

Snyder said students would have to email financial aid offices after hours.

Fernandez, McClendon and Zárate voted for the motion, and Alderete voted against.

In other business, the committee recommended approval of a maximum authorized purchase of $436,000 annually for catering services on an as-needed basis for district events.

According to the minute order, the district would hire Absolutely Everything Catering, Ann Marie’s Catering, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Catering 911 SA, Champion Catering Services, Crumpets, JDSA LTD/Jason’s Deli, Poblanos-Las Cazuelas Catering, the RK Group/Rosemary’s Catering, O’Neill’s Catering, Spice Garden Enterprises LLC, Tavistock Freebirds LLC and Texas Taco Cabana LLC. Of the $436,000, approximately $129,000 would be funded as part of events funded by grants or funded by student activity fees.

The committee also approved the recommendation for $119,500 for a cardiovascular simulation system for the allied health department at St. Philip’s College.

The committee also agreed to recommend $464,000 for health care profession training services for the office of the vice chancellor of economic and workforce development.

The recommendations will be forwarded to the full board, which will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

For more information, call board liaison Sandra Mora at 210485-0030.

Four colleges below capacity

AIC takes trustee name

Many students attend college outside of their representative districts.

Susan R. Oppenheimer Education and Training Center will be renamed the service, trade and industry center.

Four of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges are For this college, Leslie said reaching the capacity operating beneath enrollment capacity. laid out by the presentation was not possible.

According to a demographic data update pre“There’s no way,” Leslie said. sented to the Academic Accountability and Student “It sounds ridiculous to me, too,” District 6 trustee Success Committee Tuesday, this Gene Sprague said.

By JOSHUA college as well as Palo Alto, St. “I don’t think any of us really want that,” Sprague FECHTER Philip’s and Northeast Lakeview said. colleges do not reach enrollment Doug Lowe, president of Facility Programming and jfechter@student. capacity based on available classConsulting, and John Strybos, associate vice chancelalamo.edu room and lab space and course lor of facilities operations and construction managesections. ment, gave the presentation.

Representatives from Facility Programming and The presentation also examines student populaConsulting, a consulting firm, surveyed how the coltion by the nine representative districts within Bexar leges use space from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday. County based on enrollment for academic year 2010As of Thursday, 25,515 students are enrolled at 11. this college for spring 2012 according to Banner.

Trustees found that many students who live in Enrollment capacity is 42,159 per semester. their district attend colleges in another.

According to Banner, a total of 9,474 students are District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate said that although enrolled at Palo Alto and capacity is Northwest Vista resides in his district, 12,095. the majority of students attended the Dr. Victor Saenz, educational Some 11,203 students are other four colleges in the district. administration enrolled at St. Philip’s according to According to the presentation, professor at the Banner and enrollment capacity is 2,328 students who live in District 5 University of Texas at 19,100. attended this college, 1,479 attended Austin, will speak at 3 The Ranger reported March Northwest Vista, 592 attended Palo p.m. Friday in Room 2 that this semester, 4,657 stuAlto, 440 attended St. Philip’s and 20 218A and B of nursing dents attend classes as Northeast attended Northeast Lakeview. and allied health.

Lakeview and are registered through Zárate said this shows students Saenz’s work focuses Northeast Lakeview and this college. are “going shopping” for the educaon improving success rates for Latino males.

Of those, 769 students are registered tional environment they prefer. at Northeast Lakeview.

“Students are making decisions, Enrollment capacity is 11,800. and luckily, they have options they Northwest Vista College is the can exercise,” he said. only college in the district that exceeds capacity with Zárate said students also might decide which 15,540 students are registered this semester and an institution to attend based on proximity to their enrollment capacity is 13,711. workplace.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie said although four colChancellor Bruce Leslie said students could comleges are operating beneath enrollment capacity, plete their basics at one college and transfer to it is not desirable to reach or exceed that capacity another college that offers the program they wish because of concerns over crowded academic space to pursue. and parking.

He said growth at individual colleges depends on “You wouldn’t want a campus like that,” he said. demand for the academic programs they offer.

Leslie said that at Northwest Vista, accommodating “If it’s welding, it’ll take place at St. Philip’s. If it’s students at an institution operation above capacity nursing, it’s SAC,” Leslie said. would be problematic: To view the presentation, visit Alamo.edu and click The district could construct more buildings, but About Us, Board of Trustees, Meeting Agenda and students would lose parking.

Click here to access board meeting agendas.

The facilities department is working on signage to label the academic instruction center the Susan R. and Jesse H. Oppenheimer Academic Center, President Robert Zeigler said April 3.

On Dec. 13, the Alamo Colleges board of trustees unanimously voted to approve the name change to honor the first woman elected to the

By ALMA LINDA board and her husband for her service to the district and their MANZANARES donations to the Alamo Colleges Foundation.

Facilities Superintendent David Ortega said the signs have amanzanares6 been ordered, and proofs were approved. @student.alamo.edu The process for producing the letters will take four to five weeks.

“Once we get the letters back, it is just going to be a scheduling process,” Zeigler said.

Zeigler said after the signage is done, the college will contact Susan Oppenheimer to schedule a renaming ceremony.

In 1970, Susan Oppenheimer became the first “Once we get woman elected to the board of trustees. the letters back, She served three six-year terms and became it is just going to chair in 1982. be a scheduling Her husband, Jessie Oppenheimer, owned a process.” successful law firm and was known throughout the Robert Zeigler, city for his philanthropy.

President He died Oct. 9, 2009.

In 1963, Jesse and Susan Oppenheimer established the Jesse H. and Susan R. Oppenheimer Foundation, which donates to a wide range of charities, including an annual fellowship that supports an outstanding researcher in anti-cancer drug development at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The foundation also funds endowed scholarship for students of the Alamo Colleges.

Susan On Dec. 6, The Ranger reported Jim Eskin, executive direcOppenheimer tor of the Alamo Colleges Foundation, said Susan and Jesse Oppenheimer had donated $1,075,019.15 to the foundation for an endowed scholarship.

He said 19 students in the district received the scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year.

Zeigler said the Susan R. Oppenheimer Education and Training Center, located on North Main Avenue, will be renamed the service, trade and industry center.

The center provides space for continuing education courses.

He said when the college named the business and industry center after Susan Oppenheimer in fall 2003, it was understood that the name was temporary until a more suitable building was constructed.

“At the time, we didn’t have anything that was appropriate, and we wanted to do it so we can honor them,” he said.

“We’re just honoring that decision.”

Orientation

6 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

Study tips lead to success Early bird avoids lines College success may sound dull to some Rashid suggests students consider talking students. In reality, it takes skills, self-motivato the next person in the chain if they feel tion and a lot of discipline to achieve it. intimidated. Study time is the main success Here are some tips from Counselor Letty necessity students tend to lose focus, she said.

Rashid to help you keep Rashid suggested tips to get the most out

By CARLA focused. “Taking notes of study time: ARANGUREN is important,” she said.

• Go to a distraction-free zone.

“If you’re in the class• Have all study material ready. This sac-ranger@alamo.edu room, you might as well includes textbooks, class notes, pen and paper. take notes.”

• Study in short increments. Students Manage your time. Rashid should commit to 15–20 minsaid this is probably the essenutes of study at a time; she “Developing a tial key to college success. said. “You should stop once good relationship Rashid advised students to you start losing focus,” she with your make school a priority. said. “Normally, students lose professor is key.”

“When you don’t manage focus after 30 minutes.”

Letty Rashid, your time well, you can find Poor academic perforCounselor yourself missing classes, deadmance will result in academic lines, tests, etc.,” she said. probation, which eventuGet involved in class. She suggests asking as ally could lead to academic dismissal. Once many questions as necessary for the discussion a student returns from academic dismissal, topic during each class session. the counseling center will monitor the stuRashid also talked about the relationship dent’s performance for at least three semesters. between students and professors. Students Returning students are limited in the number should learn what triggers their professors, she of classes they can take, and they are required said. Some of the attitudes that bother profesto take a student development course so they sors in class include yawning, sleeping, making can learn good habits. excuses and texting.

Rashid said some of the reasons for student “Developing a good relationship with your failure are being employed full-time, balancing professor is key,” she said. family time, dealing with medical issues and Rashid advised students to meet with fackeeping up motivation. ulty when a problem arises.

“Sometimes, students don’t even know why “Students feel intimidated to talk to instructhey are in college,” she said. tors when they have issues because they feel it Mental health counselors at this college can will affect their grade,” Rashid said. address problems of school and test anxiety, Problems with faculty should be resolved in she said. To make an appointment with a couna professional and calm manner. selor, call 210-486-0333.

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Administrative and non-administrative offices will keep regular operating hours during five-day weeks durBy CARLA ing Maymester May ARANGUREN 14-June 1.

The college will sac-ranger@alamo.edu adopt a four-day work weekly schedule June 4- July 27.

Employees will work 10-hour shifts between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and hours will vary among offices.

On June 4, all administrative offices will switch their working hours to MondayThursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On July 30, the college will return to a Monday-Friday schedule, and offices will resume regular operating hours.

Admissions and records in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center will be open through Maymester and again July 30 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

It will be open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m., on the first Saturday of the month.

For more information, call 210-486-0200.

Counseling advising services are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m., the first Saturday of the month through Maymester and beginning again July 30.

During the four-day work weeks, hours will be 8 a.m-7 p.m..

The counseling center is located on the first floor of the early college programs building.

For more information call, 210- 486-0333.

The business office in Room 201 of Fletcher Administration Center will be open through Maymester and again July 30 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Hours for the four-day work weeks are 8 a.m.-7 p.m..

For more information, call 210-486-0201.

The student financial services office in Room 101 of Fletcher is open 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday through Maymester.

Those hours resume July 30.

Hours for June 4-July 27 are 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday-Thursday.

For more information, call 210-486-0200.

The assessment center in Room 112 of Fletcher is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.7 p.m. Tuesday and the first Saturday of the month, it is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Adolph Lopez, director of the assessment center, said the center has not scheduled summer hours.

For more information, call 210-486-0444.

Disability support services in Room 124 of Chance Academic Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday–Friday through Maymester.

Hours for June 4-July 27 are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Thursday.

For more information, call 210-486-0020.

The international student office in Rooms 134-136 of the academic instruction center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Maymester.

Hours for June 4-July 27 were unavailable.

For more information, call 210-486-0116.

News

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 7

www.theranger.org

Alumni director wants full-time staffer Baldrige self-study report advises customer focus group to improve stakeholder system.

Pamela Tyler, director of institutional advancement, said a full-time employee is needed to promote alumni to have a successful alumni association at this college at Thursday’s customer focus performance excellence advisory group.

The group is one of seven adviBy ALMA LINDA sory groups introduced in September MANZANARES 2010 as part of a change management model to recommend suggestions to amanzanares6 improve the college. @student.alamo.edu “I don’t think that’s within our scope,” Mona Aldana-Ramirez, customer focus PEAG facilitator and director of retention support services, said.

Jacob Wong, Student Government Association president and psychology sophomore, said the PEAG does not have to recommend hiring but should recommend creating a position.

“The benefits outweigh the costs … everybody’s got blinders on up in administration and district, and they don’t see how much this could influence or impact out in the community and how much this gains for the college,” he said. “We sit here in neutral if we never have the ability to take that forward.”

Aldana-Ramirez said the college administration ultimately determines what is needed when recommendations are made.

Tyler suggested that the college could hire a student to work 19 hours and would be willing to volunteer additional hours.

“It’s good if it’s run by a student because the student is going to be your best advocate,” she said.

Tyler said she would like a full-time employee to operate the association, but she is dedicated and willing to work for the association to be successful.

“I want to leave a legacy for San Antonio College,” she said.

Tyler said the community wants an active alumni association but does not understand that it takes time to build one.

“Until we get those right tools in place, we can’t move forward. We have to build a foundation,” she said.

Tyler said the biggest problem in the district is communication.

“You can’t go out and solicit for alumni when you can’t The report said the college is lacking: respond to them in a timely manner,” she said.

• an approach or support for students and stakeholders Tyler said in the past, there was an alumni association, but to seek information to ensure that contact requirements are the college cannot operate one without proper communication deployed, or software.

• a systematic approach to listen to stakeholders other than She said she is working with a new system that can aid com- students who will identify and address key markets, munication with alumni, and her next step is to work with Joe • events that build engagement with stakeholders other than Jacques, assistant director of admissions, to mine data and students that is critical to applicants’ aim at improving student update files from enrollment records. retention and graduation rates, “I can randomly send things out to our community, but • and a process to seek stakeholder needs and satisfaction that doesn’t necessarily mean those students are still there. that will encourage long-standing ties.

But you want to get a good database and then A stakeholder refers to all groups that are or you’ve got to ask your alum what do they want, might be affected by an organization’s actions “You can’t go what was special about San Antonio College,” and success. out and solicit for Tyler said.

Aldana-Ramirez said the leadership PEAG alumni when you Mortuary science Professor Mary Mena said referred to the customer focus PEAG a critican’t respond to one way the mortuary science department comcism of a lack of evidence of how the college them in a timely municates with alumni is by inviting them on effectively addresses and manages its impact manner.” trips to fill up buses when not enough students on society.

Pamela Tyler sign up.

She said when discussing the issue with the Institutional Tyler said the nursing department also keeps leadership PEAG, she mentioned that as a gradin touch with alumni. uate of St. Mary’s University, she receives the Advancement The PEAG recommended cultivating a list of Gold & Blue magazine, a magazine produced alumni by inventorying programs and departfor alumni and friends of the institution three ments who are already working with alumni. times a year, that shows academic excellence through significant The group addressed areas for improvement identified by the achievements of the alumni community.

Baldrige report.

In another example, Aldana-Ramirez said Dr. Vincent Lin, a Seven PEAGs originated from an application submitted by St. Mary’s alumnus, who donated money to the university when the performance enhancement team, PET, to the Quality Texas his mother Shu-Chi Lin died, generated the Lin Great Speakers Foundation, which suggested areas to improve and strengths to Series. build on after evaluating the results a self-study report on this The series featured Author Sonia Nazario, Pulitzer-winning college. author of “Enrique’s Journey,” Oct. 28 and Gretchen Steidle Quality Texas encourages the use of the Baldrige Criteria for Wallance, founder of Global Grassroots, March 1.

Performance Excellence model, an organizational self-assessHowever, when Lin made the donation, nobody remembered ment and self-improvement process that measures institutional him, she said. efficiency, for performance excellence and other methods that She said the conversation led to how this college doesn’t drive efficiency and effectiveness. know how many people they influence in the community.

Since Chancellor Bruce Leslie’s arrival in 2006, he has pro“There’s really no way of getting back to them, letting them moted use of the Baldrige model. know what’s going on at SAC,” Aldana-Ramirez said.

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Orientation

8 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

Library services ease student research Students can use computers and printing services.

The library in Moody Learning Center is a one-stop shop for students.

The library offers about 132 online databases that provide research materials for students of every discipline.

By REBECCA “They have access SALINAS to millions of articles which they get from our sac-ranger@alamo.edu databases,” Librarian Tom Bahlinger said.

“That is why they should use the library.”

If off-campus, students will need a Banner ID to access databases online.

Librarians teach library instruction classes to teach using the databases and other library services.

Students can use computers in the second floor reference area for academic work and can print at 10 cents per page with a GoPrint card.

With a college ID, students can check out books and other material and renew them at the library’s website.

Overdue items cost 10 cents per day, per

item.

Students can use rooms on the third floor of the library for group study sessions.

Study rooms are available for up to three hours and can be reserved with a college ID. The reserve area on the fourth floor of the library has reserve textbooks, where students can borrow textbooks for two hours of inlibrary use.

If a desired book is not in the library, the interlibrary loan system or TexShare card may be able to access it across the state or across the country.

The interlibrary loan system allows requests for books from other libraries to be shipped here.

A TexShare card allows students and employees to borrow material from participating libraries in the state.

As deadlines on papers and projects inch closer, library traffic increases, Librarian Bob Singh said.

“The library has been very busy this semes-

Librarians Bob Singh and Candace Peterson staff the reference desk on the second floor of Moody. Dee Dixon ter,” he said.

The college and library will be closed April 27 for Fiesta and will reopen April 28.

Library hours are 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

The library is closed Sunday.

For more information and summer hours of operation, call the reference desk at 210-4860554 or visit www.alamo.edu/sac/library.

Major renovation of Moody Don’t purchase lower level under way textbooks yet Renovation is expected to be complete in time for fall registration.

The first floor of the Moody Learning Center is getting a makeover.

Construction will bring new counseling facilities in July, just in time before fall registration.

The counseling facilities are

By REBECCA currently in the early college SALINAS building, between the chemistry and geology building and Nail sac-ranger@alamo.edu Technical Center.

“If you look through the windows the floor is pretty much cleaned out,” David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said.

Mrizek said Moody will undergo “significant changes.”

The first and sixth floors are being renovated, but then the seventh and second floors will be renovated.

When finished, the first floor will be divided among the transfer center, counseling and advising services, disability support services and Veterans Affairs.

The transfer center will be in the northwest corner, counselors in the northeast, disability support services in the southeast and veteran’s affairs in the southwest corner.

There will be reception desks in the southern entrance, which will become the main entrance, Mrizek said.

There will be a reception desk in the center of the floor, surrounded by waiting areas.

Construction on the sixth floor of Moody means better facilities for Veterans Affairs will move from the second floor to the students and facility members. Renovations of the sixth floor and first first floor after renovation. floor are expected to be finished by July. Victoria Drumming The disability support services is in Chance Academic Center, but will be moved to Moody because it will provide renovations, the college has only had money to “chip away” the program will better facilities, Dr. Robert Vela, vice presiat Moody, Mrizek said. dent of student affairs, said.

The college just received construction permits which “It will be better accommodating to stutook some time, he said. dents needs,” Vela said.

“Permits have finally been obtained, so “Permits have The disability support services will also things will start moving quickly,” Mrizek finally been have more space than they currently do, said. obtained, so Vela said.

The first floor is going through a required things will start The counseling components will come asbestos abatement and demolition to find moving quickly,” together on the first floor, Mrizek said. “It things that need to be fixed.

David Mrizek makes it much more functional.”

The asbestos abatement is done by floor, vice president The total cost for renovations for Moody and parts of the first floor may have already will cost $18 million, Mrizek said. been checked, John Strybos, associate vice of college The cost is paid from a short-term municchancellor of facilities, said. services ipal bond called a tax anticipation note that Strybos said the actual building of offices will be paid back on future tax revenue. will take some time.

“Now the opportunity is here to do something with the Mrizek said because Moody is an old building, it was necwhole building,” Mrizek said. essary to fix plumbing and electrical problems encountered.

The college has been waiting since 2005 to do major The building was opened in 1968. renovation to Moody, he said.

Mrizek said this college’s concept is for Moody to look Because of high construction costs and other building new on the inside.

Students can rent, share or borrow books.

Students no longer have to go Some reserve items are availthe traditional route of buying able online and can be reached high-priced textbooks for each at any time using the library’s class. catalog.

In fact, If off campus, students will

By REBECCA students do need a banner ID to access elecSALINAS not even tronic reserve textbooks. have to Also, textbook publishers sac-ranger@alamo.edu purchase may offer an online version of a a textbook if the instructor or textbook and the ebook may be department supplies the library’s cheaper. reserve desk with a copy.

If a student can learn without In addition to a physical textthe campus and book, purchasFor more area bookstores, ing an e-book information, call the reserve desk textbooks are may be the better at 210-486-0582 or available — often route. visit the fourth floor at a discount — If a student of Moody Learning from a variety of prefers a physiCenter. online retailers cal textbook but for sale or rent. does not want to Talk to profespay the full price, sors first to check any individual renting a textbook from a bookclass requirements regarding store is an option. purchasing, renting or sharing a Renting a book is cheaper textbook. than buying a book, but it must Every professor has a preferbe returned at the end of the ence, and some may prefer to use semester. other material, such as newspaPolicies for renting textbooks, pers or databases. such as late fees and shipping, Dr. Paul Wilson, chair of social vary by store. sciences and humanities, said Students also may find it easprofessors use the material that ier to share a textbook with a is best for their standards. classmate.

Education has changed, he Students can split the cost said, noting this is a “crazy time” and use of a textbook, and studywhen it comes to the amount of ing together may lead to better technology students have. understanding of the material In the end, Wilson believes it and, in turn, better grades. is the student’s job to make an effort to learn.

Items on reserve can be used for two hours in the library, but some items may be eligible for a longer check out. Students need a college ID with Banner number to access a reserve textbook.

The reserve desk is on the fourth floor of Moody Learning Center and can be reached at 210-486-0582.

April 16, 2012

News

The Ranger • 9

www.theranger.org

District 5 candidates talk sixth college, communication Candidates address “green sheet” policy at board meetings and shared governance.

Incumbent District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate said there are no plans to build a sixth college on the North Side in a District 5 candidate forum at Northwest Vista College Tuesday.

Ramiro Nava, former

By JOSHUA Edgewood Independent FECHTER School District trustee and principal at Neil Armstrong jfechter @student.

Elementary School, is alamo.edu challenging Zárate for the District 5 seat in the May 12 election.

The board unanimously voted to purchase 145.5 acres west of Interstate 10 and north of Loop 1604 near the Kendall County line and Camp Bullis April 28, 2005.

In December, board Chair Gary Beitzel said members of the 2005 board intended to build a sixth college on that land to accommodate the growth of what the board refers to as the county’s north central area.

At the forum, Celita DeArmond, librarian and president of this college’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, asked if the district plans to build a sixth college and what demographic studies had been conducted to justify its construction.

Zárate said, “There is definitely a need in that direction.”

He said although “there is no political will or economic need” to build the college, “we have to be at least a little bit futuristic. Now, we have to be realistic, too.”

Nava said the district should focus on making sure all colleges in the district are accredited before constructing a new one. Northeast Lakeview College resubmitted its accreditation application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Feb. 15 after the board approved the college’s annual financial report for 2009-10 and 2010-11 in January.

The Ranger reported in December 2009 that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools denied Northeast Lakeview accreditation primarily because it did not have an audit separate from the other institutions in the district.

“We need to really focus internally right now before we look at expanding,” Nava said.

Dr. Brian Stout, biology professor at Northwest Vista, asked what role the board plays in the district’s communication with faculty and staff. Stout served on a faculty compensation committee that recommended a new salary plan for full-time faculty to the board.

The board approved the plan at its regular meeting March 27.

He said that that circumstance allowed constructive dialogue between faculty, staff, administration and trustees. “Are there any ideas to strengthen that communication?” Stout asked.

“The only way I can best represent this area is to listen to individuals within the area,” Nava said.

Nava said faculty and staff should speak with trustees directly and that the chancellor should not be the sole person communicating employee concerns to the board.

“The chancellor is there to do his job and to enforce policies … not to filter dialogue between human beings,” he said.

Zárate said, “Unfortunately, there is a layer between us and the faculty and staff.”

He said faculty and staff have input in district decisions, citing the enactment of 25 strategic budget initiatives in summer 2010. The initiatives were voted on by 50 officials, including members of the board of trustees, district administrators and administrators and faculty and staff leaders from each of the five colleges.

DeArmond asked why the board allows Chancellor Bruce Leslie to “green sheet” the board’s agenda items. The term “green sheet” refers to the green sheet an amendment is written on to be slipped into a minute order after the information is released to public.

“Unfortunately, there is a layer between us and the faculty and staff.”

Roberto Zárate District 5 trustee

Contact Zárate at rzarate11@alamo.edu.

At the board’s regular meeting March 27, Leslie attempted to amend language on a salary plan recommended by the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee to include limiting full-time faculty to teaching a maximum of 15 hours during summer sessions: nine hours at 130 percent of the adjunct rate and six hours at the adjunct rate.

Zárate said as chair of the committee, he approves the agenda with Leslie and his staff.

He said the board wanted to approve the plan before the district’s budget retreat April 2-3.

“I don’t like green sheets, either, but sometimes, they’re necessary,” Zárate said.

Nava said “green sheeting” should not be used to force trustees to take action on an agenda item.

“It should not come at the last minute,” he

“The chancellor is there to do his job and to enforce policies ... not to filter dialogue between human beings.

Ramiro Nava District 5 candidate

Contact Nava at ramnava25@yahoo.com.

said.

Ruby Kerbs, board member of the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, asked why the district’s anti-discrimination policy does not include transgender students.

The policy reads, “No person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the College District.”

Zárate said he believes the policy already protects transgender students.

“I think we’ve been very clear that no student, regardless of sexual orientation, is to be bullied or treated differently than anybody

Early voting hours 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. April 30-May 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 5, noon-6 p.m. May 6 8 a.m.-8 p.m. May 7-8 Election 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 12 To find out who your representative is on the board of trustees, visit www.alamo.edu/ district/board/ and click on ‘who represents me?’

else,” he said.

Nava said, “Humans beings should be protected under the law regardless of their sexual orientation.”

After the meeting, Krebs told Nava, “You’ve got my vote.”

10 • The Ranger

News

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

From RECORDS, Page 1 Hunt said it is important to keep all course syllabuses, which are especially important when students transfer to other educational institutions.

Sometimes course numbers do not match between institutions, making it necessary to compare course content so that transfer equivalency of completed courses can be determined, he said.

He said if students cannot provide proof of course material, they may end up repeating courses.

Even if students remain at the same institution throughout their college careers, other possible issues affecting grades may arise.

Hunt said it is important to keep all assignments and tests students submit for grades. In the event that there are discrepancies, or a professor does not have a grade for something turned in,

From CLOSING, Page 1 and technical education, said, “There are a number of factors we look at.”

One factor is whether a graduate from the program can find a job with the degree in question.

An annual report of low-producing programs is submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board annually, detailing information about the programs, such as the enrollment rate, number of graduates and placement rate of students.

President Robert Zeigler must identify the low-performing programs and decide what can be terminated.

Under Human Development, Family Studies and Related Services, the associate of applied science in gerontological services has a total of 10

the student can show proof.

A tip from an online forum suggested students should hold on to all completed work, at least until the grade is officially recorded on a transcript.

Additionally, Hunt said it is beneficial to be proactive and obtain transcripts from every institution a student attends so the student has a transcript readily available when applying for internships, to other schools or for employment.

He also recommends students have a résumé with them at all times.

“I don’t believe in luck; luck is preparation plus opportunity,” Hunt said. “When opportunity knocks, you want to be able to answer that call.”

Welcome center guide Edie Huff said, “The world is information-oriented, and students have to keep track of it all.”

She stressed that students should keep records of anyone they speak to regarding anything that pertains to their college education.

graduates from 2007-2011, making it the program with the lowest graduation rate. Zeigler might eliminate this degree, Walker said.

The associate of applied science degree in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, has a total of 1,317 graduates from 2007-2011.

Students will be informed when any program is terminated through an email on ACES from the chair or coordinator of the program. The associate degree should help promote students, Walker said.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs and director of distinguish graduates, is currently working with distinguished graduates to encourage graduation for each department.

For more information about the coordinating board, visit www.thecb.state.tx.us/lowproducing.

Center to honor ‘Henry B.’ The family of the late U.S. Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez, this college’s first Outstanding Former Student, wants the college to establish a Henry B. Gonzalez Center so students can access primary

By DIANA sources about Gonzalez’s PALOMO life and service.

U.S Rep. Charlie A. dpalomo9@ Gonzalez, a Democrat student.alamo.edu representing 20th District of Texas, said it is a wonderful idea to make the information about his father’s career in education available.

It is a great opportunity for students to have information about his father so it can motivate and inspire students to improve the community, Gonzalez said.

Dr. Robert Zeigler met March 23 with members of the Gonzalez family who said the family foundation has funding available for this project.

Zeigler told members of Student Government Association that afternoon that it is an opportunity for students to share similar interests and access information other than from the library.

He compared such a center as similar to the Bio Spot and writing center.

Student life Director Jorge Posada said the center could be called the “community wisdom center.”

Zeigler suggested using the space by disability support services on the first floor of Chance Academic Center after DSS moves to the first floor of Moody Learning Center as part of the Juan Balditt Counseling Complex.

The move could be as early as July or as late as September.

Zeigler said it is a perfect opportunity to preserve Gonzalez’s history.

In the Ranger, Dec. 1, 2000, Vol. 76, Issue 11, reporter Laura Jesse wrote “Henry B. outstanding student, man.”

Gonzalez died on Nov. 29, 2000, at the age of 84.

Gonzalez served in Congress longer than any Hispanic and is the first Hispanic representative from Texas.

He was a student at Thomas Jefferson High School, this college, University of Texas at Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law. At this college, he was named Outstanding Former Student for 1982-83.

Gonzalez was a Democrat elected to the 87th Congress to fill the seat U.S. Rep. Paul J. Kilday resigned from.

Gonzalez wants students to know about his father’s sacrifice on the family level and financially, to serve people in this district.

Despite the odds, if someone puts in mind a goal, it can be achieved, Gonzalez said.

In 1957, Henry B. Gonzalez was a Texas state senator who, along with Sen. Abraham Kazen, filibustered for more than 22 hours straight to protest against limiting desegregation.

As a result, they succeeded in killing eight of 10 racial segregation bills.

Gonzalez was 12 years old when he attended the protest.

Education, to his father, was the key that opened the door to opportunities, Gonzalez said.

“My father believed you have to have an education to be able to do the best you can possibly do,” Gonzalez said.

News

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 11

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SGA discusses upcoming AC leadership workshop President asks members to learn Robert’s Rules of Order.

Student Government Association discussed Leadership Camp, a workshop for clubs at this campus college and from other Alamo Colleges to come together to share leadership skills and find solutions

By DIANA to common problems.

The group met April PALOMO 2 in the health promodpalomo9@ tions office in Loftin student.alamo.edu Student Center.

The workshop is set for 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.

Thursday in the craft room of Loftin.

Jacob Wong, president of SGA and psychology sophomore, said it’s a way to open a door to know how other governments function and receive funding.

Rebecca Ross, SGA commissioner and psychology sophomore, said SGA needs a headcount for Leadership Camp by April 16.

For more information about Leadership Camp and to make a reservation, email the office of student life at SAC-studlife@alamo.edu.

Andrea “Bia” Bonilla, vice president of SGA and criminal justice sophomore, said she will be reviewing placement of surveillance cameras because of an incident with a female student in the week of March 19 north of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

When Bonilla went to the police office at 1601 N. Main Ave. 9:40 a.m.-9:45 a.m. April 9, no was available to speak with her about the cameras.

“Is this a regular thing?” Wong asked.

He said someone should always be available in the office to speak to students because some students might not have a cell phone to call police dispatch.

In other business, Lizzie Allen, secretary of SGA and education sophomore, will speak to Julie Cooper, college public information officer, about deactivating old SGA Facebook profiles.

Also, Wong will represent SGA at a SAC Alliance meeting hosted by Gay Ally and Lesbian Association.

Wong said he plans to discuss how college organizations can unite in the alliance meet-

From TUITION, Page 1 Snyder said the district needs to approve tuition increases before registration for fall begins in May. Fernandez said the retreat should have been scheduled in April to accommodate the tuition increase.

“Raising tuition is a very big decision, and I just think it should be part of the budget retreat conversation and not isolated,” she said.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie said the administration tried to schedule the retreat in April, but multiple trustees had scheduling conflicts.

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete asked if the schedule could exclude increases for in-district tuition. Snyder said that in spring 2011, the district raised only out-of-district and out-of state tuition. She said repeating that action would not generate the revenue necessary to fund projected enrollment for fall 2012.

District 2 trustee Denver McClendon made a motion to recommend the increase to the full board, and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate seconded.

McClendon and Zárate voted in favor of the motion, and Alderete and Fernandez voted against.

After the meeting, outside legal counsel William Armstrong said agenda items do not require approval by the committee to move to the full board. He said board committees make recommendations to the board regarding agenda items; they do not approve them.

ing.

Wong presented a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order, a guide for running conferences and meetings effectively and fairly. He suggested other members buy a copy.

Tiffany Cox, SGA adviser and criminal justice instructor, will hold the copy for members to consult.

Wong said members will apply the rules from the book for a regional SGA conference it will host here in November.

Fifteen colleges from Region 6 Gulf Coast meet to work on team building and business.

Student Government is working on a new logo for business cards.

Mike Martinez, SGA commissioner and anthropology sophomore, is working on the design of the logo and business cards. The logo will illustrate the college’s seal.

The logo will appear on T-shirts. The design is not finalized yet.

It needs to be approved by the district or President Robert Zeigler because the logo might illustrate the academic seal.

The more people running for election, the more committed they are, Wong said.

Students being appointed won’t be as committed.

Wong said he isn’t allowed to say if he is running again for election.

Mark Bigelow, adviser of SGA and assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, said only one candidate packet has been turned in.

Students must turn in completed candidate packets at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the office of student life in Room 260 of Loftin Student Center.

The candidates’ final campaign plans will be reviewed on Thursday in the respective office by Tiffany Cox, SGA adviser and professor in criminal justice, and Bigelow.

Campaigning is Friday through May 4.

The candidate forum will be noon-1 p.m.

April 30 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

For more information, contact Cox at 210486-0835.

Tuition now includes fees after the board March 27 unanimously approved consolidating tuition and fees into a single charge.

In fiscal year 2011, the general fee was raised to $130 for one to six hours and $135 for seven hours or more.

Historically, the district has charged a general fee as well as fees for registration, library upgrade and student insurance.

According to the 20-year tuition and fee schedule summary in the 2011-12 Alamo Colleges operating budget, in 2007 the district charged a $116 general fee for students enrolled in one to six credit hours and $121 for students enrolled seven or more credit hours. The district also charged that year a $13 registration fee, $13 library upgrade fee and $4 for student insurance. In fiscal year 2008, the district dropped fees for registration, library upgrades and student insurance and charged only a general fee of $116 for one to six credit hours and $121 for students enrolled in seven or more hours, according to the 20-year summary. In fiscal year 2009, the general fee was raised to $122 for one to six credit hours and $127 for seven hours or more. This total remained until the 2011 fee increase.

When the board approved the consolidation of tuition and fees March 27, trustees did not discuss an increase in tuition, which they could consider this month.

The full board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

From PARKING, Page 1 construct retail stores, student-priority apartments, academic space, a parking garage and a central plant for heating and air conditioning.

The Ranger reported April 25, 2011, that the parking garage will have 1,000 parking spaces.

Mrizek said student parking decals will not decrease in cost, though he understands parking will be a problem next semester.

He said the colllege is working with VIA Metropolitan Transit to increase opportunities for student transportation.

Public information officer Julie Cooper said the business office will increase its availability of semester passes to students by having 1,200 semester passes available for purchase during

the fall semester as opposed to 700.

She said there will be promotions through emails, and digital signage and other on-campus promotions to inform people about VIA options.

According to the San Antonio College website, parking permits are $50 in the fall for a 12-month pass, $30 in the spring for an eight-month pass $18 in the summer for a four-month pass and $10 for a replacement pass.

Fines are $16 for each violation if it is paid within 10 school days after issuance, $21 if paid from the 11-20 day of issuance and $27 after 20 days. Failure to pay tickets will result in a hold on a student’s account.

The website states that the permit allows students to park in the college’s lots but does not guarantee parking.

DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

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Faith is woven into all aspects of a DBU Christ-centered education.

Stepping onto the DBU campus, visitors are struck by the beauty of their surroundings. It is an impression born of the American colonial-style buildings nestled within a majestic landscape.

2. Developing Servant Leaders Our goal in teaching servant leadership is to equip Christian leaders who have the ability to transform the lives of others for the glory of God.

3. Changing the World From mission trips abroad to local service at homeless shelters and food banks, Dallas Baptist students have a heart for changing the world.

5. Location and Opportunity The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to a vast array of churches and service organizations, supplying students numerous opportunities for internships and service-learning experiences.

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12 • The Ranger

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Activities galore for Week of Young Child The early childhood studies department is celebrating the Week of the Young Child with events April 21-27. This year’s theme is “Early Years are Learning Years.”

The Week of the Young

By JANEKA Child is an annual celPORTER ebration sponsored by the National Association for the sac-ranger@alamo.edu Education of Young Children, NAEYC, which is dedicated to improving the quality of early childhood education for all young children and their families.

The week focuses public attention on the needs of young children.

“Everyone involved in the life of a young child should have an activity for children,” Claudia Gonzalez, early childhood center coordinator, said.

The center, which provides care for 60 children aged 12 months to 4 years, is celebrating with events for children who attend the center and events open to the public, such as A Day in the Park and a fiesta.

To kick off the week of events, children at the center will participate in Pajama Day April 20.

Monday through Friday is the wishing well project. The center encourages parents to create a special symbol with a message of their hopes and dreams for their children. Wishes will be displayed in the center’s lobby during the week.

The center encourages families to participate in TV Turn-off Week in which families walk, read books or play games together.

According to the Federal Communications Commission website, the average child watches three hours of television a day.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 21 at San Pedro

Springs Park is Kids Day in the Park. The event is free for parents and children, and there will be free snacks and entertainment.

From 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. April 23 in Room 107 of the center, breakfast and treats will be provided for parents of children attending Parent Appreciation Day. The theme for the day is sports, so children are encouraged to wear something in support of a favorite team.

At 10 a.m. April 24, members of the San Antonio Fire Department will demonstrate the special features of a fire truck and its equipment.

That day, children of the center are asked to bring their favorite book to share on Favorite Book Day and to wear a Hawaiian shirt or outfit.

On April 25, children will write a special note of appreciation to their caregivers for appreciation days in honor of teachers, administrators and foster grandparents.

At 3 p.m., Mary Elizabeth Fernandez, a San Pedro Branch librarian, will read to children on the center’s playground and children are encouraged to don headgear for Hat Day. At 9:45 a.m. April 26, children at the center will participate in a Spirit Day procession. Children will parade along the sidewalk around the center wearing class T-shirts.

From 3 p.m.-4 p.m., the center’s playground turns into a fiesta open to the public.

Activities include a bean bag toss, face painting, crown decorating and ice cream sundae making along with music and a mural.

“It’s positive, it’s fun, it’s entertaining and the children are smiling,” Gonzalez said.

Door prizes will be awarded.

For more information, call the center at 210486-0530.

SAC, PAC ready to Fiesta Funfest at SAC Funfest gives students a chance to enjoy the Fiesta atmosphere — minus the beer-stained shoes — while still making it to classes.

Student clubs and organizations will sell a food and beverages to rival the offerings downtown.

And the food sales, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 25 in the mall, provide funding for club projects.

•Kinesiology Club will pop the popcorn; •Teaching Academy Program Peers will dress hot dogs; •Black Student Alliance will offer another chance at its hamburgers; •Student Government Association serves sodas; •The Dance Club chills with frozen limeade; •Mexican-American Engineers & Scientists

PACfest From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 26, it is our South Side sister’s turn with PACfest on its campus at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd.

The event will feature headliner Frankie Ballard at the end of a full day of live entertainment.

PACfest 2012 features family entertainment with a car show, military displays, a games, arts and crafts, kid’s zone, dog walks and a roller derby exhibition by Charmed Forces.

PACfest is free and open to the public except for a $5 parking fee after 4 p.m. for vehicles without an Alamo Colleges parking permit.

For more information, call Carmen Velasquez at 210-486-3125 or visit www.alamo.edu/pac/pacfest.

grills chicken fajitas; •United Methodist Student Center wraps sausages with tortillas; •Gay Ally & Lesbian Association spins sugar into cotton candy; •Students United for the Dream Act comes to the rescue with bottled water and nachos; •Women’s Soccer team serves corn on the cob; •and the cafeteria will roast turkey legs for that special Fiesta touch.

Expect live music and games but Mark Bigelow, student life assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, could not provide any more information Wednesday.

Just be prepared to show your shoes.

For more information, call student life at 210486-0125.

PACfest live line-up 11 a.m. Mariachi Palomino 1 p.m. Myti and Gabriela Soul 11:30 p.m. The Spazmatics 2 p.m. The Chemist 1:15 p.m. The Groove Doctor 3 p.m. Radio Revolver 2:45 p.m. River City Kings 4 p.m. Reecluse 4:15 p.m. Ready Revolution 5 p.m. Elora Valdez & the Gasoline Alley 5:30 p.m. Mario Flores & Soda Creek Band 6 p.m. Conjunto Palo Alto 7 p.m. Cleto Rodriguez 7:30 p.m. Frankie Ballard

Motorcycle Sc “Popeye” Reed Shipferling after cycle March 28 in Victoria Drummin

Motorcycle school students learn how to ride March 28 at The Motorcycle School, 4918 Fredericksburg. Students s

Safety focus of Sporty two-wheeled vehicles can ease gas price woes with 50-80 miles per gallon.

Paying $4 a gallon for gas can take a toll on a student’s wallet.

On April 2, AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report showed $3.64 as the average gas price.

The highest recordBy OSITA ed price was $3.98 for OMESIETE unleaded fuel on July 16, 2008. sac-ranger@alamo.edu If students are looking for an economical way to save money at the gas pump, then riding a motorcycle could provide relief.

Totalmotorcycle.com states motorcycles

average about 50-80 miles per gallon.

Cars range from 15-40 mpg for 2012 upscale sedans, fueleconomy.com reports.

If students are thinking about investing in a motorcycle, The Motorcycle School should be the first step.

Catherine Bochat owns The Motorcycle School at 4918 Fredericksburg Road.

She stresses that anyone who wants to ride a motorcycle should know the risks.

“The hardest thing to get people to realize when gas prices get high is the risk of riding a motorcycle,” she said. “They just want to save gas money.”

According to a 2009 report by edgarsnyder. com, there were 4,502 fatal collisions across the country.

“Don’t be stupid on a motorcycle,” Bochat

Motorcycle School Instructor Bruce “Popeye” Reed teaches Noble Chates how to speed and be safe on the road M

miere

April 16, 2012 • 13

r.org/ premiere

‘Fredstock’ to carry on professor’s work

chool Instructor Bruce d helps student Drew r he falls off his motorn the school’s parking lot. ng

said they enrolled to save money on gas. Victoria Drumming

f cycle training said. “Our job is not to teach you how to ride a motorcycle. Our job is to teach how to be aware and how to reduce the risk.”

Riders must always inspect a bike before they ride.

A flat tire on two wheels can be more costly than on four because of the risk of flipping the motorcycle and incurring more serious injuries than those suffered inside an automobile during an accident.

The school, open since April 22, 2006, teaches fundamentals of riding a motorcycle.

As of September 2009, Texas state law mandated riders be certified in a motorcycle safety course, which the school offers.

If participants are 16 years old or older, the only prerequisite to taking the course is knowing how to ride a bicycle.

March 28 in the school’s parking lot. Victoria Drumming

The basic course costs $195, and a helmet and the motorcycle are provided.

Classes are throughout the week at various times to fit a student’s schedule.

It is a two-day, 15-hour course in which students spend five hours learning material in a classroom and 10 hours training on a motorcycle.

There are 14 instructors, each with more than six years of experience, and the school has a 92 percent pass rate.

Robert Resendez, aviation sophomore at Palo Alto College said he was taking the course for economic reasons.

“This course is badass,” Resendez said. “It’s tough but fun.”

For more information, visit themotorcycleschool.com.

The concert created to memorialize a beloved Management, class taught by Donnie Meals, professor and raise scholarship funds for music Fredstock event director and music business business majors is scheduled for Thursday. full-time adjunct in the media communications Fredstock takes over Lot 10 at Courtland Place department. and North Main Avenue adjacent to Longwith In October 2008, KSYM adviser John Radio, Television and Film Building from noon Onderdonk told The Ranger that Weiss’ illness to 6 p.m. began in the summer and interfered with the For Spring 2012 the concert will have concesbeginning of the fall term. “He called and said, sions, food and local artist performing live fea‘Look, I’m very ill and I’m in a hospital in New turing J. Meridian, Mob Barley and the Inhalers, York,” Onderdonk said. “The doctors didn’t seem Terri Hendrix, Ruben V., and Friends Like Us with to know what it was … it was terribly unexpected.” sounds of punk, rock, folk, and Americana.

Weiss never missed a day of work, Meals said.

The event is free and “He was still ill at the beginopen to the public. ning of the semester and The first live-music feswas advised to take it easy,” tival to be sponsored by the Meals said. music business program Weiss returned to teachwas canceled in 2009 after ing in the second week of rains threatened to create the semester and stayed safety issues with electrical only for a few weeks, Meals equipment. said.

But students managed Over the years, Weiss to raise about $300 from was a well-known advocate T-shirt sales before and durfor student recruitment and ing Fredstock to benefit the retention.

Fred A. Weiss Scholarship In April 2002, after creatfor music business students. ing a Web site to increase Spring 2010 was the first student awareness on camconcert produced in his pus, Weiss was approached honor. to assist in the creation of T-shirts will be on sale a digital billboard for the Frederick A. Weiss died Oct. 18, 2008. for $10 at this year’s event.

Fiesta San Antonio celebraWeiss was a radio-television-film professor tion downtown. from 1985 until his death in October 2008.

At the same time, he pushed for a transition Weiss created the music business program from 8mm film to digital video for its cost-effecat this college. It was a long-term dream for the tiveness and time savings. professor, and establishing the program with the The former Peace Corps volunteer also was state of Texas required a lot of planning and proregularly involved with the Explorer Scouts in the gramming. city and coordinated a troop for the media.

Weiss founded Courtland Records, a collegeIn the community, Weiss held close ties with owned record label, in August 2006 to give music organizations such as the Texas Association of business students real-world experience.

Broadcasters with which he arranged for seminars He owned his own record label in the 1980s every year for students on campus. Together they called Belt Drive Records. put on a career expo in 2005.

After Weiss’ death, the San Antonio He befriended members in the San Antonio Broadcasters Association, which also was started Film Commission, and a few years ago, was able

by Weiss, created the Fred A. Weiss Music Business to bring 14 students to the production of “The Scholarship.

Quiet.”

Fredstock was set up as part of the final projFor more information, call Meals at 210-486ect for the MUSB 2345, Live Music and Talent 1380.

NVC offers gaming design plan When designing a video game, there are multiple teams — a team of artists, a team of programmers and a team of producers.

The artist designs the models, for example, characters or vehicles. All

By OSITA creations have to be drawn OMESIETE by the artist so they can see how they look before sac-ranger@alamo.edu they are used in a game.

“If the models don’t move or have attractive movement, the game is not going to be as fun,” Qi Wang, 3D animation program coordinator, said.

Programmers write instruction in code languages such as Java or C++ to make all the models move to make the game more interesting.

Levels, storyline and sound effects are designed by the producers. “Many people think they can design a video game by themselves, but it’s a team effort,” she said.

Northwest Vista College offers students programs in gaming design that allow students to work on any part of a video game development team as well as any field that requires modeling.

Northwest Vista College’s workforce program teaches students hands-on skills that get them employed immediately in high-demand fields.

The college has internships with KSAT 12 and Twist Education, a local educational gaming company that designs games that promote a student’s

ability to solve difficult quantitative problems.

Wang said, “All the skills learned can be used in various fields that do not involve videos games.”

Students can acquire an associate of applied science degree, certificates or marketable skills achievement awards. Each requires particular courses so students can choose what best fits their criteria and talents.

An associate of applied science takes two years full-time to complete. Certificates have half the course load of associate degrees, and prepare students for entry-level positions. To acquire marketable skills awards, students need four classes.

Students who seek marketable skills awards are usually already working in the field and want to learn another code language, she said.

The skills learned through these courses can be applied to multiple fields, such as medicine, architecture or any field that requires computer modeling.

In architecture, the skills can be applied to modeling a blueprint. If the city of San Antonio has to renovate a park, a 3D artist could model it to see the final product.

“When a lot of students apply to this program, they love to play games, but I want them to know it takes a lot to actually design a game,” Wang said.

For more information, call Wang at 210-4864401.

News

14 • The Ranger

www.theranger.org

What is your

credit report

saying about you?

There’s a way you can find out.

TG is hosting a Financial Literacy Credit Report Telethon in an effort to help students and others learn the basics of credit management.

Gain a better understanding of how and why to get a free credit report.

Find out what to look for in the credit report.

Learn how to correct any errors the report might contain.

Watch the news on KSAT ABC 12 in San Antonio on Tuesday, April 17 and call us between 4 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. C.T. with your questions!

FINANCIAL LITERACY CREDIT REPORT TELETHON

1-888-311-8881

Can’t call that day? Learn more at

www.AIE.org/creditreport

TG can help.

TG would like to thank KSAT ABC 12 in San Antonio for hosting the Financial Literacy Credit Report Telethon.

April 16, 2012

News

April 16, 2012

The Ranger •15

www.theranger.org

Through the years A student from the first restorative art class in 1960, now Technical Procedures 2, works on a facial reconstruction in McCreless. Courtesy

Students participate in facial reconstructions in a restorative art class in 1966 in Room 242 of Nail. Courtesy

Mortuary art and science Mortuary science department has a 100 percent placement rate for graduates.

Mortuary science Chair Felix Gonzales became a mortuary science instructor eight months after graduating from the program at this college in

By CARLA 1984.

ARANGUREN He taught four classsac-ranger@alamo.edu es, including embalming, mortuary law and restorative lab.

Mortuary science is the only department of the college in which all faculty members are graduates of the program.

“All of them were my students,” Gonzales said.

The Texas Legislature established the mortuary science department in 1960 and the first graduates completed their studies in 1962.

Mortuary Science Professor John Cage was the first chair of the department. He and Professors Rex Buell and John B. Star came from Kansas.

“I don’t remember when I became chair,” Gonzales said with a laugh, adding the department rotates faculty members in the role.

“Everyone has a different management style, leadership skills, but first and foremost our common goal is our students’ success.”

Gonzales said the department applies this method because all faculty members must fully understand budgeting, curriculum, scheduling and other tasks of the chair.

Professor Mary Mena graduated in 1988, Martin in 1994 and Professors José Luis Moreno and Francisco Solis in 1995.

Before his graduation as a funeral director in 1984, classes were taught once a year, meaning that if a student needed to repeat a class, it couldn’t be done for the next year.

Gonzales never considered teaching.

He always thought he would work at a funeral home. “I never regret to be back to be a teacher at SAC after I graduated because I love my job,” he said.

This semester, 150 students are enrolled in the program, which represents a growth of 600 percent since 1985, Gonzales said.

“Unfortunately, some students come to this program because they were exposed to a death in their family or because the funeral director was no help at all, and they want to make a difference.”

He said it is unusual to hear someone say that they dreamed of being a mortician.

Changes in the mortuary science curriculum include a shift to critically focusing on the importance of understanding death and mourning cultures and traditions from many countries.

Gonzales said he stresses to students the importance of understanding one’s culture first, then understanding others.

“Understanding the different death traditions from different countries goes along with meeting the family’s need when working in the death industry,” he said.

He said Mexican grieving traditions include covering mirrors in the entire house and ensuring no televisions or radios are on during mourning.

Jewish families believe in mourning first-degree relatives (father, mother, and children) for a period of seven days. The process, called “shiva,” consists of the family gathering in the home to receive visitors.

The department offers courses such as MRTS 1301, Contemporary Funeral Service Practices, which teaches principles related to customs, religions, human relations, and social behavior to address the multicultural clients in the death care business.

Every semester, about 45-60 new students enter the program, and Gonzales said statistics show 100 percent employment placement upon completion of the program.

He said the mortuary science department makes all efforts to achieve excellence and to provide students with the best education to meet the need of customers in the death care field.

“I feel a tremendous responsibility with the college, our reputation and our students and, foremost, with the families experiencing death,” Gonzales said.

•1960 ­— Texas Legislature passes bill to establish mortuary science departments in academic institutions in the state.

•1962 — Department graduates first class.

•1966 — Department moves from McCreless Hall to Nail Technical Center.

•1980s ­— Associate degree hours drop from 90 to 72.

Internship becomes a summer requirement 8 a.m.5 p.m. Monday-Friday with no pay.

•1990s — Mortuary science program here becomes the only school in the state to provide job training with the addition of an internship orientation class, which exposes students in the first semester to the workforce for 48 hours in a funeral home; 144 hours in embalming and 144 hours as funeral director.

•1992 — Associate degree is reduced to 66 credit hours.

1995 — Department sponsors Death Fair with funeral industry vendors.

•1998 — Remodeling of Nail.

First trip to New Orleans is offered to students to visit above-ground tombs and other mortuary-related sites.

Students from the department’s first human anatomy class in 1966 study muscles of the human body in Nail. Courtesy

•2000 — Mortuary science program separates from allied health department.

•2008 — Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognizes the department as exemplary.

• 2009 — Nail is remodeled again to today’s configuration for the department’s home.

•2011 — San Antonio College becomes the first tax-exempt school performing embalming services in the state.

During a trip to New Orleans March 9-11, students visit St. Louis Cemetery where voodoo queen Marie Laveau is thought to be buried. Courtesy

•2012 — 50th anniversary celebration includes presentation of only the fifth Mortie Award for outstanding service in the department’s history.

Professor Francisco Solis will become the first president from this college of the American Board of Funeral Education.

Department considers another Death Fair in fall.

Mortuary science Chair Felix Gonzales presents O.C. “Chet” Robbins, executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission, with a Mortie award for outstanding service to the college and the state during a Mardi Gras-themed anniversary gala Feb. 21 in Koehler. Courtesy

•2013 — For the first time, the department will host ABFSE’s national convention with 56 participating schools from across the country, a prestigious event in the death care industry.

Editorial

16 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org/opinion

Editor Joshua Fechter Managing Editor Alma Linda Manzanares News Editor Faith Duarte Sections Editor Diana Palomo Photo Editor Ingrid Wilgen Photo Team Victoria Drumming, Nicole Henry, Eloy Hilburn, Alberto Penuelaz, Felipe Perez Jr., Donna Quintana, Troy Renteria, Cecilia Tornel Multimedia Editor J. Almendarez Video Team Dee Dixon, Rachael Emond, Valerie Salazar, Carmen Sanjuan, Riley Stephens Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Juan Carlos Campos Staff Writers Carla Aranguren, Jennifer Coronado, Melissa Gonzales, Kirk Hanes, Jennifer Luna, Alicia Millan, Silvia Millan, Ivie Okungbowa, Osita Omesiete, Janeka Porter, Rebecca Salinas Web Editors Jacob Beltran Robert Medina

©2012 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 (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) 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, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292.

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 single- copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

Juan Carlos Campos

Here’s an idea In the April 9 “District hires director of ‘ideas,’” Faculty Senate Chair Dawn ElmoreMcCrary said the Alamo Colleges hired a director of “Alamo ideas” to tend a suggestion box and aggressively pursue money-saving ideas.

Aside from the muddled logic of creating another drain on payroll to save money, this decision shows once again that district officials do not value the input of faculty and staff at the five colleges who have offered ideas on multiple topics on multiple occasions.

At a town hall meeting March 8, Bill Richardson, kinesiology and dance chair, told Chancellor Bruce Leslie he wondered when the district would return the college seal to the monument on San Pedro Avenue.

Over the 2010 winter break, the Alamo Colleges logo was installed over the college seal on a sign west of Gonzales and McCreless halls on San Pedro Avenue.

Leslie’s response was indicative of his general attitude toward employees: “Well, keep wondering, Bill.”

In the March 26 article “District hiring

director for Alamo Colleges Online,” The Ranger reported that the distance learning task force decided a district director is necessary to organize and improve online offerings despite division within the committee on how to oversee distance learning.

Other task force members, including faculty, felt a committee would be more appropriate.

They suggested committee members could receive release time for serving on the committee.

Instead of attempting to reach a consensus, task force members Robert Aguero, retired vice chancellor of academic success; Eric Reno, president of Northeast Lakeview College; and Deb Morgan, director of strategic initiatives and performance, met with Leslie to suggest the hiring of a director without addressing the task force.

The district already ignores input from faculty and staff. They don’t need to hire yet another administrator to add to the monolithic silence in response to questions and suggestions from the colleges.

Donation a lifesaver Life’s emergencies happen every day.

Mass media can’t publish them all so only a small circle is likely to learn the plight of those suffering.

Then, we hear a compelling story that persuades us to donate blood.

All it takes is a little courage and a willing spirit to endure the quick prick of a sterile needle.

With the needle’s entrance, the pain subsides and the life-saving blood fills the pint bag within minutes.

The pain is minimal compared to the potential for what the person who needs a transfusion may be going through.

Many stories are written about donating blood, but it may be more useful to focus on donation avoidance.

Have a fear of needles?

Phobia of infection?

Faint at the sight of blood?

Bring along a friend for support and use your ear buds to listen to music you can relax to while you make your donation.

Can’t squeeze the time into a busy student schedule?

In the time it takes to pick up a gallon of

milk at HEB, potential donors can provide the gift of life to a neighbor – or four.

Think about the people you may be helping.

San Antonio Police Officer Jonathan Esquivel on the evening of Feb. 19 was found sprawled face down on the shoulder of the Loop 410 access road.

A call for blood went out on local TV and radio stations asking citizens to donate blood to aid the injured officer.

According to the San Antonio ExpressNews, University Hospital received a record number of donors.

More donors responded than on the day after the 9/11 attacks.

But many other days, the numbers are much lower.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center often has representatives on campus.

Donors with rare blood types and those who can donate to infants are always welcome.

If we all make a point to conquer blood donation avoidance, someone’s life emergencies could be alleviated thanks to you, a blood donor, a silent hero.

Opinion

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 17

www.theranger.org/opinion

Letter

Editorial

Engage imaginations On March 30, the Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists conducted a live-version of the popular smartphone app, “Angry Birds.”

Students used a 5-foot slingshot to fling kickballs and tennis balls into a wall of cardboard boxes, knocking them down.

Really, they were exploring physics and engineering.

The Science Extravaganza aimed to educate and inspire visiting high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

There’s no better way to entice students into learning than applying educational value to something that provides as much seemingly brainless fun as “Angry Birds.”

To capitalize on this discovery, this college could employ live versions of other popular smartphone

games to encourage education and active participation.

The visual arts program could set up blank paper and markers in the mall for a live recreation of “Draw Something” to allow students to indulge their artistic sides.

The English program could set up “Scrabble” boards, similar to a chess park, to encourage students to expand vocabularies or improve spelling.

Activities don’t need to be entirely based on smartphone apps.

The music program could set an upright piano in the mall and allow passersby to create lovely music ­— or noise.

These are just a few of the possibilities.

Just because something is educational doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

Transgendered deserve rights Editor: I am transgendered and prefer to go by the name Jennifer Peña.

All my life, from my earliest memories, I have felt as though I was the wrong gender.

After 26 years of trying to hold myself back, I have finally decided to let go and be the woman I’ve always wanted to be.

While I was a student here, the chancellor released clarification 10-01, on June 22, 2010.

While most people have no idea what this means, or if they should even care, this was a landmark for myself and everyone transgendered attending or working at any of the Alamo Colleges.

This clarification added gender identity to the nondiscrimination and harassment policies among other things. While people like myself are now legally assured that we have the same rights and freedoms as anyone else within the Alamo Colleges, it hardly means we are treated equally.

People will always have a particular mindset for how a man or woman should look, sound and behave. When someone doesn’t fit that, they are easily singled out and subjected

to what can only be described from my own experiences, as psychological torture.

Stares and whispers are just as emotionally damaging as a direct confrontation.

Another inequality yet to be addressed is the lack of more private facilities for people like myself.

I don’t want to have to use the women’s locker room any more than probably any woman on campus would want me there, but the only alternative is to go to Moody Learning Center and use the unisex restrooms on the second floor.

In some cases, that’s just not reasonable. It is perfectly reasonable that these issues have never been addressed by employees here as there has most likely been few if any transgendered individuals working here.

I am a minority and will probably remain that way forever, but how many does it take to stand up and demand to be recognized?

Why should it take millions to demand equality?

A single person deserves the same rights and freedom to exist in this world as any other person.

Jimmy “Jennifer” Peña Activities Specialist, Student Life

Mad as hell, One more thing the Lege can’t understand but keep on reporting Many probably imagine that working at a news organization would drive someone on a daily basis to shout: “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” like Howard Beale in Paddy Chayefsky’s classic black comedy “Network.”

True, the impulse is there, but after four semesters and two staff positions at The Ranger, I’ve learned to turn that negative energy into something positive, something that drives me to report the news with a clear mind.

Journalists and reporters cannot afford to behave in any other way. There is too much happening in the world to let it affect us — or our Viewpoint judgment. We do this to provide accurate and fair

by JOSHUA reports to the public because an open society canFECHTER not function without it.

I could list many people who have sought to hinder during my time here, people who could not care less about duty to the public, who do not respect the basic notions of truth and decency, who act out of ignorance or personal vendettas.

They’re not hurting the media; they’re hurting you, the public, and hampering your ability to make rational decisions. They know who they are, and if you read The Ranger, you do, too.

I’ve noticed that most of those who wish to affect change in a positive manner usually conduct themselves openly with the news media. They understand that challenging the status quo to do what is right requires courage in the face of doubt and criticism.

I commend them for it and so should you.

Educate yourself about local issues and educate yourself about the world. One of the most pervasive, invasive and intrusive elements of society today is media so it behooves you to become media literate.

Learn your First Amendment rights and educate anyone who hasn’t. And don’t forget the message of author and New York Times reporter and columnist Anthony Lewis’ 2008 book, titled: “Freedom For The Thought That We Hate.”

I implore you to stay informed and take peaceful action against anyone who prevents you from doing so. It sounds pretentious, but society depends on the open flow of communication.

We also provide another vital service. We report on the day-today minutiae of college life and district business. We write about topics and developments that impact our students and fill in for the lack of information moving in either direction through the chancellor.

We aim to make students more successful and employees more effective. That makes both groups more empowered to manage life as it comes and how I manage to keep from sticking my head out the window and yelling.

On March 15, 2011, four journalists from The New York cancer this year in the United States.

Times were held captive in Libya during Arab Spring.

So, what if 80 percent of women decided the only way for Amid gunfire, soldiers stopped the journalists’ vehicle, men to make informed health choices is to force them to subheld them at gunpoint, beat, robbed and bound them with mit to an annual transrectal ultrasound? scarves, handcuffs and shoelaces.

A transrectal ultrasound is exactly like a vaginal ultraWhen forced to their knees, photograsound, except the transducer is shaped to fit in a rectum pher Lynsey Addario whispered to videogand it is used to look at a male’s pelvic organs, such as the rapher Stephen Farrell, “God, I just don’t prostate. want to be raped.”

I cannot begin to imagine how men struggle with sexuality In the face of death, Addario verbalthroughout their lives, but I can imagine the outcry over govized, not her fear of being murdered in a ernmental policy forcing anal penetration on men. foreign country, but her fear that a man Still think opposition to HB 15 is hysterical feminism?

Viewpoint by would force himself inside of her.

I do not mean to minimize the endemic nature of cancer, J. ALMENDAREZ Fearing rape is the plight of women. but the situations are similar.

Sexuality is something most women Both allow the Texas Legislature to will struggle with for most of their lives. intervene in the confidentiality of docWhat if 80 percent Being promiscuous — whatever that tors and patients. of women decided the means — holds a negative connotation The Supreme Court ruled in 1973 only way for men to of disrespecting oneself and a “dirtiness” that such intervention by a state is a make informed health that can’t be remedied. violation of the 14th Amendment to the choices is to force them Not being open to at least some sexU.S. Constitution. to submit to an annual ual experiences makes a woman a prude “No State shall make or enforce any transrectal ultrasound?

— whatever that means — who holds law which shall abridge the privileges outdated ideas of sexuality. or immunities of citizens of the United There’s the constant questioning by States; nor shall any State deprive any women about what sex means or shouldn’t mean, how we person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of rank among other women our age, and the impact of our law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal choices on the physicality and attractiveness of our vaginas. protection of the laws,” was deemed applicable to personal In May, the Texas Legislature passed HB 15, further impingprivacy. ing on a woman’s right to choose.

The reasoning behind this verdict has been ignored by the It has forced women seeking abortions to undergo an Legislature, making HB 15 blatantly unconstitutional. ultrasound, hear the heartbeat of the fetus, watch as a doctor That decision was prompted by a case originating in points out “body parts” and attempts to manipulate women Texas. into deciding against having an abortion.

Anti-abortion laws had been in effect since the late 1860s All the while, the Texas Legislature, composed of 79.1 perat the insistence of the American Medical Association, which cent males in 2011, attempts to minimize what this bill means saw commercialization and home remedies infringing on to women. their elite status, and as the government sought to settle the It means forcing a transducer into the vagina of a West — with white Protestants rather than Mexican, Catholic woman. and non-Anglo European immigrants.

According to www.hopkinsmedicine.org, a vaginal ultraBy no accident, this also coincided with a rise in the womsound is conducted when, “a long, thin transducer is covered en’s suffrage movement. with the conducting gel and a plastic/latex sheath and is Visit http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ to find your state inserted into the vagina.” representatives and tell them to stop the state-sanctioned It is state-sanctioned rape; the transducer even wears a sexual assault. condom.

Say you will not stand for this violation of women and Disagree? abuse of the Constitution.

Let’s turn the tables.

Because while termination of a pregnancy may not be the The American Cancer Society predicts that 241,740 new right choice for you or someone you know, it may be the right cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year in the and healthy — but never easy — choice for others.

United States. It estimates 28,170 men will die from prostate Then remind them women finally won the right to vote.

health

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 18

www.theranger.org

Sex requires physical, mental preparedness, therapist says Sex educators do not choose to work in the field because they are interested in sex, a licensed sex therapist and psychology professor told students here. Cay Crow, who lectured on

By JANEKA human sexuPORTER ality and sex therapy sac-ranger@alamo.edu Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center, said one must be a good general therapist to specialize.

“Sexology is a science, there is research behind it, and I kind of would like to set the record straight,” Crow said. “We talk about the things you probably never talked about growing up, and I like to approach it from a scientific basis. It’s vitally important to

bring sexuality into the light and talk about it in an open way.”

Crow has been a sex therapist 24 years in private practice working with sexual abuse, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and couples dealing with desire discrepancies.

Crow also teaches a development and adult education series at adult stores Shades of Love in San Antonio and Forbidden Fruit in Austin and wrote an advice column on relationships and sexuality from 2003 to 2007 for the San Antonio Express-News.

She has taught human sexuality here six years.

In her private practice as a sex therapist, Crow said she has to deal with a lot of misconceptions. “People come in all the time to my practice

and say you don’t have a bed in here?

People have misconceptions around it and think if the word sex is in your title, then you’re having sex.”

Crow answered questions posed by students who asked to remain unidentified. One attendee asked about the effect of pornography in teaching young boys about sex. “Porn is to sex what movies are to life; it’s all about how you use it and understanding what it is and what it isn’t.”

“I think sex is a big part of our development and it’s a lifelong process. It’s not like you become a teenager and you’re ready to go, and you know everything you need to know about sex. Just because you’re physically ready to do it doesn’t mean you’re ready in your mind to do it.

Same applies to a driver’s license.”

Another student asked about Crow’s favorite clients. “I love to work with what I call pre-orgasmic women, women who have never experienced an orgasm. An orgasm is something that happens naturally. It’s like opening a new world for them, the look on their face when they come in, shows it.”

Crow said she also likes couples because they are never dull.

One asked for a good way to bring up sex education to younger children instead of having them refer to pornography?

“I think it needs to be age appropriate and the parents need to create an environment where they are approachable. No. 1, use adequate

names. Don’t call it a cookie or a weiner. Call it what it is. If you use euphemisms, that sends the message that we’re not supposed to talk about that as well as silence.”

Crow related her own sex education with a story that she likes to call “The F*** Story,” about how as a young child, she heard a word from an older student and didn’t know it.

She said the word during dinner and her dad approached her, answered her question and told her what it meant and how not to use the word.

“It was concise, quick and that’s all I needed to know. People think the minute a child asks a question about sex, it’s time to teach them the birds and the bees right then and there. It’s when the child is ready for it.”

Peer Educators help stressed students Organization provides health information, condoms and advice.

Being a college student comes with many obstacles so Peer Educators help students cope with stress, anxiety and life’s struggles.

Peer Educators provides information on a wide range of topics such as STDs, where to get tested for pregnancy, diabetes education, how to deal with test anxiety and depression.

“As Peer Educators we’re here to educate students,” Leticia Sandoval, Peer Educator and psychology sophomore, said.

Peer Educators also conduct what they call

“table events” in the mall, where they distribute information on a variety of topics.

Peer Educators also hand out free condoms and sponsor free HIV testing for students.

“Even if they are having a bad day and need someone to talk to, we’re students, too, and we understand your struggles,” Sandoval said.

“Anything a student may suffer from, we have it and if we don’t, we will research it,” she said.

The office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center.

For more information, call 210-486-1448.

Janeka Porter

Music business sophomore Jesus Interiano talks to Peer Educator Michael Lozano, nursing sophomore, and volunteer Robert Rodriguez, art sophomore, in the mall Monday. The group distributed information about stress, anxiety and test-taking as students will soon prepare for their final exams. Dee Dixon

News

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 19

www.theranger.org

Student life proposes FY2013 budget Committee seeks to double funding by increasing student activity fee to $2 per credit hour of enrollment The Student Activity Fee Committee unanimously approved 6-0 to send a proposed student activity budget of $800,000 for the 2012-13 year to President Robert Zeigler.

Student Life Director Jorge Posadas, who serves as nonvoting chair, presented a draft to the commitBy FAITH tee during the April 5 meeting in the health DUARTE promotions office in Loftin Student Center.

The current $400,000 student activity fduarte3@student. fee budget receives its funds through $1 per alamo.edu credit hour per student. The $800,000 student activity fee budget would require the fee to be raised to $2 per credit hour per student.

“In order to carry forth the desires of the student body, this is what it’s going to take,” Posadas said.

The proposed 2012-13 budget reflects an additional $386,000 to the current $300,000 allotted for annual expenditures, no changes to the $26,000 for supplemental expenditures and an extra $14,000 to the current budget of $74,000 for capital expenditures. It allocates $70,000 for student publications, one of several new items in the budget.

After the meeting, Jacob Wong, Student Government Association president and psychology sophomore, said, “It’s any kind of publication that the student clubs and organizations want to put out.”

He said content, including brochures and newsletters, fall under the category. “It involves possible online, possible print, possible staffing. “It’s all related to students running the publication, not actually a faculty member,” Wong said.

The new proposed budget also lists other new items, including $20,000 for sports equipment, $56,000 for coach salaries, $40,000 for student team travel and $30,000 for coach and staff travel.

The budget adds $32,000 to the current $108,000 for contracted performance lectures, $10,000 to the current $5,000 for rental of equipment, $20,000 to the current $25,000 for advertising expenses and an additional $110,000 for the salaries of

two assistant coordinators and two associate directors.

Currently, $100,000 pays for the salaries of two assistant coordinators.

Under “capital expenditures,” the budget adds $14,000 for a total of $88,000 for equipment and supplies inside Loftin.

For the proposed fee to be sent to the board of trustees, Zeigler said Thursday the Student Activity Fee Committees at the other colleges would also have to approve an increase in the fee. Once those committees approved, the proposal could then be presented to Chancellor Bruce Leslie and the board of trustees. “I think it would be a good thing. It would give us more opportunities to do more student activities that we can’t afford to do now,” Zeigler said.

“I think the beginning of the fall would be tough,” he said.

“This would have to be discussed and approved by the board, so I would say getting it in place for the fall is iffy.”

“It’s possible to do it for the fall, but it would have to be on a really quick timeline,” he said.

Carmen Velazquez, student life director of Palo Alto, told The Ranger Tuesday, “I would definitely support it just because of the fact that with more funding, then we would be able to have more activities here on campus.”

The student activity fee generated $249,011 for the 2011-12 year at Palo Alto.

“It would really just open up what we could do,” she said.

Dr. Debbie Hamilton, vice president of student success at Northeast Lakeview, said Tuesday, “I think anything we that can do to contribute to, to invest in the development of our students, I am for it.”

The fee generated $87,385 this year at Northeast Lakeview.

Yolanda Reyes-Guevara, director of student activities at St. Philip’s, said, “Whatever the students decide, we’re in support of.”

The fee generated $183,646 for the 2011-12 year at St. Philip’s.

To view the current budget for this college, go to the college home page, click “Student Life” under the “Current Students” tab, click “Leadership and Activities” and click “2011-2012 Student Activity Fee Budget”.

For more information, call student life at 210-486-0125.

for

Personal, group counseling services available Services serve as a support mechanism for students with discipline or personal problems.

The counseling center has a personal counseling unit that assists students who have been referred to them because of discipline or personal problems.

“It’s a support mechanism for students,” Counselor Steve Samet said.

By JANEKA Students are provided up to four sesPORTER sions of personal counseling.

Margret Bloomer and James sac-ranger@alamo.edu Brandenberg are two of the part-time counselors who conduct one-on-one personal sessions and group counseling.

Samet said, “Due to the limited number of counselors that are working this unit we have two part-time counselors who can only For more information, call see students four times and then are the counseling referred to a community agency that center at (210) can provide additional counseling, 486-0333 or visit testing, and other resources.” http://alamo.edu/ The counseling center will host sac/counselingan open house 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. advising.

Thursday in the lobby of Early College Programs Building.

The event is to thank area agencies for helping students and to find additional agencies who can assist the college in personal counseling for the students.

Samet said volunteers would be asked to assist students for a year of counseling with no charge.

“Hopefully, this will provide an opportunity to meet face to face with counseling representatives, provide a networking opportunity and to thank counselors,” Samet said.

The district’s guidelines for addressing disruptive or threatening behavior by students or visitors is called Strategies of Behavioral Intervention, or SOBI. For more information, call 210-486-0333 or visit http://alamo. edu/sac/counseling-advising.

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CHECK-IN Visit www.sac.bkstr.com for additional buyback hours and locations.

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Loftin Student Center, Lower Level

20 • The Ranger

Orientation

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

State restructures government courses Students will no longer be required to take GOVT 2301, American/Texas: National and State, and GOVT 2302, American Government: Problems and Policies starting in the fall.

Paul Wilson, social sciences and humanities chair, said the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board decided that community colleges will be required

By ALMA LINDA instead to offer GOVT 2305, Federal MANZANARES Government, and GOVT 2306, Texas Government. amanzanares6@student. alamo.edu These two courses will be required in the college core curriculum for arts and sciences degrees from community colleges.

He said American Government: Problems and Policies will no longer be offered at this college, and one section for American/ Texas: National and State will be offered in the fall.

“Just in case somebody five years ago took (GOVT) 2302 and that’s all they got,” Wilson said.

Currently, students have the option to take American/Texas: National and State and American Government: Problems and Policies or take Federal Government and Texas Government to fulfill the six-hour core requirement.

“Both of those pairs met — we call it — the legislative requirement,” Wilson said.

He said when the Texas Legislature passed the six-hour government core requirement, the courses needed to concentrate on the Texas constitution and the United States constitution.

American/Texas: National and State focused on both constitutions by comparing and contrasting the two, Wilson said.

“What we taught in (GOVT) 2301 is how the governments are designed,” he said.

American Government: Problems and Policies focused on policies that come out of the national and state government, Wilson said.

He said both pairs could have been offered for another year, but because the district required all colleges in the district to align their curriculum, it was the best time to make the change.

Students currently enrolled in American/Texas: National and State will be allowed to pair the course with either Federal Government or Texas Government, Wilson said.

“I like to think of (GOVT) 2301 as the universal donor. It can go with any of the other three and you’re good,” he said.

However, American Government: Problems and Policies only

pairs with American/Texas: National and State, so this semester and during the summer, only students who have completed American/Texas: National and State will be able to take American Government: Problems and Policies, Wilson said.

He said students who are currently enrolled in government American/Texas: National and State and want to take American Government: Problems and Policies in the summer need to contact him to lift the prerequisite requirement so they can register for the course.

Wilson said as an instructor he prefers the old pairing but faculty will still be teaching the same material.

“It’s just organized a little differently,” he said.

Wilson said in some ways the new pairing will make it easier for students.

“The student no longer has to juggle when I ask a question about the senate — does he mean the one in Washington or does he mean the one in Austin. It will be pretty clear,” he said.

He said it will be less confusing when students transfer because all institutions will be teaching the Federal Government and Texas Government pair.

For more information, call Wilson at 210-486-1699.

Writing help available Writing is a complex procedure connecting thoughts with the physical ability to write.

“Computers and technology have not helped; English has become a code,” Adjunct English Professor

By JENNIFER Kenneth Fullen said.

LUNA “We’re fighting an uphill battle in what sac-ranger@alamo.edu we’re expecting in everyday speech.”

Steps in writing need to be thought out and planned to make sense. “In pre-writing, there is a pre-decision-making, informal brainstorming, a chart, and a classic formal outline,” he said. “We teach American-edited English, and try for an error-free document also known as standard English.”

Bring your To find help with own device writing, there are Visit www. various outlets for ranger.org to students on camread about the pus. The college district’s costwriting center, and saving proposal English developto encourage mental lab are dedistudents to cated to helping stuuse their own dents write standard electronics on English. campus.

The writing center has three satellite tutors in Room 323 of Chance Academic Center and more in the writing center who are available for walk-ins or by appointment in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall. The center helps with assignments in any discipline.

The center also helps generate ideas, create a thesis, identify a target audience, organize a paper and learn proofreading techniques.

The English developmental lab helps developing writers gain confidence in their work.

It also teaches them to self-edit. Help is by appointment, but if tutors are available, walkins are accepted in Room 122 of Gonzales.

Nine students were certified for tutoring developmental reading students in March.

In 2011, English Professor Juanita LunaLawhn was certified by the National Center for Developmental Education, which provides services for professionals dedicated to serving underprepared and disadvantaged college students.

For more information on the writing center, call 210-486-1433 and for information on the developmental lab, call 210-486-1616.

Benjamin Mcmahon, Army ROTC military science professor, speaks to nursing freshmens Bianca Crumley and Ophillia Jackson about the ROTC program during a job fair Nov. 18, 2009, in Candler. Representatives from companies like Sprint, AFNI customer care consultants and U.S. Army. File Photo

Job fair brings 30 employers Thursday Positions offer up to $12 per hour and flexible schedules.

About 30 companies are looking for students of all majors to fill time-flexible positions at the job fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

These companies

By JENNIFER are hiring for full- and LUNA part-time opportunities, with pay ranging sac-ranger@alamo.edu from $7.25-$12 an hour.

Counseling secretary Laura Bernal assisted with organizing the job fair.

“The job fair is to help students find jobs in school,” Bernal said, “A lot of them are flexible with their schedule.”

The job fair started in 2006, serving about 700-800 students.

Employers such as Sears, Red Ventures, IBC Bank and Jefferson Bank are interviewing to fill customer service positions.

Respite Care of San Antonio is hiring for a part-time position to help children with disabilities.

Students planning to attend the job fair should dress as if attending a job interview and have copies of a current résumé to submit to employers. Be courteous and patient and ask questions. Take notes of the information collected.

For more information, call the office at 210-486-0141.

Core-Mark International is a marketing company offering positions in marketing.

Biotest Pharmaceuticals and Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation are hiring nurses, including certified nursing aides, certified medication aides or licensed vocational nurses.

Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation also is hiring clerks and file clerks.

Jason’s Deli is looking for drivers, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas wants to fill admissions posts, hosts, ride attendants, food servers, security, operators and marketing researchers.

Alamo Colleges district is looking for police officers.

Other organizations that help students achieve career opportunities also will attend.

For example, Network Power of Texas is an organization that helps provide female students business attire for interviews.

Also, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities will assist students through its national internship program to find internships in a variety of fields.

Habitat for Humanity will be recruiting volunteers to help build homes.

Project Quest Inc., a job-training program for students using public assistance, will promote its program as well as look for customer service representatives.

Avance, a program that helps students who are parents, will also attend.

Other businesses expected are: Adecco, Avon, Brighton Center, CPS Energy, Good Careers Company, KGB, Leading Edge Personal and Primerica Financial Services, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Postal Service.

For more information, call Bernal at 210486-0141.

April 16, 2012

News

The Ranger • 21

www.theranger.org

Senate wants major credits from degree-granting college VPAAs rejected the idea because it would indicate a difference in quality among the colleges.

a logical argument. “Unless it’s in a program that has literally all the courses in the degree with a rubric that doesn’t exist in the core, the computer can’t figure this out,” Howard said.

The Faculty Senate’s curriculum alignment “Another concern is that there is a general committee presented a proposal Wednesday sense that the Alamo Colleges all offer the same that would require students to complete 15 quality product, and if that’s the case, it shouldn’t hours of discipline-specific coursework to be a problem to have the 25 percent be in this graduate at the degreeportion of the degree or another portion.”

By ALMA LINDA awarding college.

Howard said if a student prefers a certain MANZANARES Currently, there is no program or college, the student will enroll requirement that coursin that particular college. “The students will amanzanares6 es required for a major know where they want to go and which one @student.alamo.edu have to be taken at the suits them best,” she said. “Maybe we need to degree-granting college. focus the issue more on the person making the The proposal, presented by fine arts Chair choice and less on the choices.”

Jeff Hunt, who chairs the senate commitEarly childhood studies Chair Ellen tee, highlighted five points of justification for Marshall said she had an audible gasp when requiring students to complete 15 hours of the rejection was announced at the College discipline-specific coursework at the degreeCouncil meeting. She said she is pushing for awarding college: the 25 percent of major courses taken at the • Students can transfer 45 hours from other degree-granting college because in a profesinstitutions, take only 15 hours of core courses sional and technical program, professors learn and graduate with a degree in a concentration students’ strengths and weaknesses. without taking a single course in the concenMarshall said students can visit a departtration from the degree-awarding institution. ment to take a capstone course with only • In professional and technical education Internet courses or without taking courses at programs, students are required to take a capthe institution. “We’ve never met them, we stone course and make a C at the degree-awarddon’t know those people, we don’t know their ing institution. Under the new policy, a student strengths and weaknesses in order to best help would not be required to complete the capstone them,” she said. The capstone for the teacher course at the degree-awarding institution. assistance program requires 19 hours a week in • In PTE programs, the degree-granting instia public school classroom, Marshall said. tution guarantees a graduate will meet workIn the associate degree program for early place competencies and gain employment in the childhood studies, students are required to field. However, if the student is not employable, complete an eight-hour-a-week internship the degree-grantat a nationally ing institution is accredited cen“We keep talking about required to retrain ter that meets accountability in the district. the student at no Headstart stanWell, I’m not going to be held cost to the studards, she said. accountable if my students, dent. Therefore, Marshall said my graduates, aren’t taking my the institution is it’s difficult to place courses. I mean, how can I be held liable for the stustudents in the accountable for something for dent who did not community when receive training by there is a standard which I have no control?” the degree-grantexpected from a Thomas Billimek ing institution. certain college’s Psychology chair • Departments unique program. with accreditaMarshall said tion from discipline-specific organizations because St. Philip’s College also has an early jeopardize accreditation by granting degrees childhood studies program, students can to students whom they have not trained. enroll in courses there. “We don’t have a prob• Individual articulation agreements lem with our students taking other courses at between arts and sciences departments and St. Philip’s and then coming here; we just want four-year universities would be jeopardized by to ensure that a certain percentage is from our granting degrees to students whom they have program so we know our students,” she said. not trained.

Marshall said professors who teach capAt a Feb. 14 College Council meeting, Dr. stone courses expect students to have certain Jessica Howard, vice president of academic skills and assignments, and St. Philip’s courses affairs, said VPAAs rejected the idea of requirmay be different. “(It) doesn’t mean that they’re ing students to take 25 percent of major hours worse or they’re better; they’re just different,” at the degree-granting institution because she said. Marshall said in smaller programs, the stipulation would indicate a difference in such as early childhood studies, this college and quality among the colleges.

St. Philip’s are competing for students.

Hunt said he thinks the district’s vice “We’re all one Alamo Colleges, but if I don’t presidents of academic affairs thought the have my students, I don’t have a class,” she said. idea was “pitting college against college Psychology Chair Thomas Billimek said within the Alamo Colleges,” but the policy because colleges are independently accredpresented is concerned with all colleges and ited, when they grant degrees, they have universities. “I think that maybe our district to stand behind that degree. He said when is only thinking of the Alamo Colleges in this students take courses at other colleges, the policy and not considering outside colleges degree-granting college cannot control any of and universities,” he said. the work being taught somewhere else in their Howard said April 4 that the current name. “We keep talking about accountability requirement for students to take just 25 perin the district. Well, I’m not going to be held cent of hours required for a degree at the accountable if my students, my graduates, degree-granting institution is easy for computaren’t taking my courses. I mean, how can I ers to track. She said faculty thought it seemed be held accountable for something for which I “weird” to have a student graduate from a have no control?” he said. program at a college where they did not take Billimek said the problem started when a major course. district started to consolidate everything.

“I understand that because there are some “We’re all looked upon as the same, and we’re differences between programs,” Howard said. not,” he said. “What we’re missing with all of She said she brought the argument to the this stuff about ‘we’re all the same’ is that we’re district’s VPAAs because she thought it was denying the uniqueness of the colleges.”

GREEHEY DEGREE-COMPLETION SCHOLARSHIP Our Lady of the Lake University offers a degreecompletion scholarship for first-generation college students who are studying business at one of the Alamo College campuses. Eligible students who transfer to OLLU will receive a scholarship that covers half of tuition costs.

Features of the William E. Greehey Scholars Program: • Scholarship covers up to half of tuition costs • Complete a Bachelor of Arts in Management in two years • Attend classes held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Students applying for the William E. Greehey Scholars Program must: • Have an associate’s degree in Business from an Alamo College or hold at least 60 hours • Be at least 23 years old • Be one of the first in the family to attend college Learn more Call: 210-431-3961 Email: transfer@ollusa.edu

411 S.W. 24th Street San Antonio, TX 78207 210-434-6711 www.ollusa.edu

22 • The Ranger

orientation

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

A primer on your college newspaper lot 2

lot 12

Student parking

lot 9 Student parking

VAC

CEA

FAC

MCCH

Fletcher Administration Center

Loftin Student Center

lot 7

Travis Early College High School (San Antonio ISD)

Student parking (after 5 p.m.) lot 14

lot 13

LSC

Gonzales Hall

GH

lot 15

MLC

Bookstore

lot 16

Moody Learning Center

Student parking

CG

lot 17 Open parking

EDUC

portables

Central Plant

Scobee Planetarium

Science Annex

Early College Programs

CPEC

ECP

ALLY PARTI FOR CLOSED TION UC CONSTR

Nail Technical Center

lot 21

Five-level parking garage (with permit)

Chance Academic Center

SCA W. Myrtle

lot 19

CAC

Student parking

NTC

Tennis Courts

lot 24 Student parking

Faculty lot 22 parking lot

Campus Police

lot 23

Park W.W.Park

W. Park

lot 26

Student parking

Academic Instruction Center Open parking (with permit) lot 28

Empowerment Center

lot 27

EC

Howard

lot 30

Open parking (with permit)

NAHC

AIC

Lewis

Law Enforcement Training Center

LETX Maverick

LETC

Nursing & Allied Health Complex

Law Enforcement Annex

lot 29 Student parking

N. Main Ave.

Chemistry & Geology

OETC Oppenheimer Educ/Train Center

W. Locust

ED N OS IO CL CT LY RU AL ST TI N R CO PA R FO

BUS STOP

lot 20

Student parking

LRTF

W. Dewey

McCreless Hall

Candler Physical Education Center

Longwith RTF lot 6 Building

lot 8

Visual Arts Center

lot 10

CE Annex

MCFA

ECSB

Howard

lot 11

Lewis

Belknap

Courtland

Cath.

St. Ctr

MH

N

Ashby House Special Student Programs parking lot 5

KH

lot 3

Bennett Music Hall

lot 4

Koehler House

Temple Beth-El

McAllister Fine Arts Center

Early Childhood Studies

ASHBY

KCH

Maverick

Student parking

Ashby

Facilities

Koehler Carriage House

San Pedro Ave.

What is The Ranger?

Who determines what goes in?

Students in journalism classes Ranger editors and reporters here produce The Ranger, a weekly under the supervision of faculty student newspaper that hits stands advisers determine the editorial on campus by 8 a.m. Mondays durcontent of the publication based on ing most weeks of the fall and spring news value, ethics and the satisfacsemesters. Journalism students also tory completion of students’ work by produce The Ranger Online at www. deadline. Advertising space is availthe ranger.org, which is updated freable and sold at competitive rates. quently, including the summer.

These represent the only indepenCan I approve a story, photo or dent sources of information in the video before publication?

Alamo Community No publicaCollege District. tion worth its ink or Call The Ranger News 210-486-1773, Publications adhere bandwidth allows Advertising 210-486to the standards of sources to preview 9292 and fax 210journalism praccontent before it is 486-1759 or come by ticed in the profespublished. You may Room 212 of Loftin sion and give sturequest that reportStudent Center. dents realistic expeers verify facts or www.sac-ranger@ riences, including quotes with you. alamo.edu free exercise of First www.theranger.org Amendment rights What if someguaranteed by the thing is incorrect?

U.S. Constitution and with a long Let The Ranger know. Call the tradition of support from the adminreporter, photographer or editor and istration of San Antonio College. be specific about the mistake. The Students in journalism classes Ranger is a student publication and and in staff positions plan the pubstudents are learning. They also learn lications and produce news stories, by dealing with the consequences of editorials, features, calendars, phoinadequate or sloppy newsgathering tos, videos and slide shows, as well and having to write a correction. as edit, design and lay out print and electronic publications.

Will The Ranger always run a correction?

Why should my students care?

Yes and no. Definitely, if the misThe Ranger provides news take is a serious error, if someone is and information about the Alamo misidentified, a name is misspelled Colleges with emphasis on this color the public is served by a correclege. (A limited number of copies are tion. If the perceived error is a matdistributed at other district colleges ter of interpretation, a clarification and facilities.) In addition to “hard” may be run. You can write a letter news on college and district issues, to the editor if you believe you were controversies, happenings and peomisquoted. Corrections and clarificaple, students can learn of upcoming tions will run in subsequent issues. events, programs, scholarships and For The Ranger Online, major correcacademic and extracurricular opportions usually are noted at the top of a tunities in The Ranger. posted story. Published content is not removed from the online archives.

How can I contribute to the People page and calendar?

What are other opportunities to Let The Ranger know as early as interact with The Ranger/? possible when planning an event that • Chalk Day during National might make a good People photo — Newspaper Week in October celscholarship awards, club meetings, ebrates free speech. Staffers hand fundraisers, presentations in classes out chalk and encourage students and so on. For the calendar, email to “express themselves” by writing or complete information on upcoming drawing on sidewalks in the mall. events two weeks in advance.

• Ranger Source Awards at the end of each semester treat sources How else can I contribute? to home-baked goodies or ice cream Faculty, staff and students are and hand out awards for sources that encouraged to submit letters to the range from the “Mother Hen Award” editor and viewpoints (both must be to “Big Tipper.” signed) and let us know when you • Edith Fox King Lecture brings have ideas for stories. a Pulitzer Prize winner or other outReporters and editors are assigned standing professional journalist to beats (areas of coverage), but they campus for a lecture. (Two Pulitzercan’t be everywhere and know everyprize winning speakers were former thing. students).

Think ahead and let the staff • The college chapter of the know of upcoming events well in Society of Professional Journalists advance. Agree to answer questions sponsors speakers and activities when called upon for your experthroughout the year. tise or involvement in a potential • The Urban Journalism Workshop story. Then be willing to spend some for High School Students brings 16 time with a reporter (and/or photoghigh school journalists to campus for rapher) to provide information and a two-week boot camp each summer. answer follow-up questions as the • Charting Your Course is a onestory progresses. day conference for high school jourPlease, please, please promptly nalism students and their advisers. return phone calls from The Ranger.

Encourage teens to participate.

Often, a story or photo can’t be published without verifying that last •Regularly check The Ranger detail. (It also helps if you remember Online for coverage of all of the the reporter or photographer’s name above, breaking news and meeting when calling the newsroom …) updates.

Student parking lot 1

Possible closure in July for construction

W. Evergreen Emergency phones

Parking for motorcycles

Disabled parking

Information & Registration

Visitor parking

Faculty / staff parking

Students can find some extra parking off campus on Dewey (east of the campus), south of Evergreen by Main Ave., and also behind some nightclub businesses on Main Ave. SAC Phi Theta Kappa Food Pantry is located at 602 W. French (210 486 0431).

Hours are Wednesday & Thursday 12 pm-3 pm.

See map on SAC website (alamo.edu/sac) for updates.

“Only motor vehicles with a valid Alamo Colleges Vehicle Registration Tag/Decal properly displayed may park on campus. Visitors to the college are exempt from this requirement.” - (Alamo Colleges Police).

Student parking lot 33

Possible closure in July for construction

Student parking

LUTHER’S

lot 31

Possible closure in July for construction

W. Laurel

Parking (dirt lot) Possible closure in July for construction

Ranger collects awards in 3 contests The Ranger was awarded first place in Page 1 design in for cartoon. Honorable mentions went to Garcia for inDivision 2 of Texas Intercollegiate Press Association at its depth and investigative; Alison Wadley for news photo; annual convention March 31 in Corpus Christi.

Juan Carlos Campos for cartoon; and Zahra Farah, Julysa The newspaper also took home five other awards in Sosa, Riley Stephens and Garcia for picture page or panel. the category that involves weekly newspapers from large The Ranger Online received honorable mention for two-year and four-year colleges for work published in website, a competition open to all community colleges. spring 2011 and fall 2011.

Seven students and an adviser attended Other awards went to Casandra Gonzales that one-day convention. for second place in photo illustration and Also, The Ranger is competing for he angeR third place to J. Almendarez for headlines. national recognition from the Society Honorable mentions went to Jennifer M. of Professional Journalists after being Free speech Ytuarte in general column, Almendarez for named the Best All-Around Non-Daily under news feature story and Alexandra Nelipa Student Newspaper among two-year siege for illustration. Editor Joshua Fechter was and community colleges in Region 8 in this college’s nominee for Journalist of the the annual Mark of Excellence Awards Year. The honor went to Bethany Peterson of competition March 24 in Fort Worth.

Tarrant County College. Four editors and an First place regional winners are entered adviser attended the convention. in national competition, which will be RETIREES GAGGED 3 JOURNALIST BEHEADED 5 In competition for the Texas Community announced this month.

ANSWER THE QUESTION 12 College Journalism Association Oct 14 in The Ranger Online was honored with San Marcos, The Ranger won second place in general second place in Best Affiliated Web Site also in the twoexcellence in Division 1 for larger community colleges for year and community college category. Region 8 reprenewspapers published in fall 2010 and spring 2011. sents Texas and Oklahoma.

Second place awards went to Laura Garcia for editoNo one from The Ranger staff attended the Region 8 rial, Melody Mendoza for layout and design and Nelipa conference to accept the awards.

Vol. 86 Issue 4

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Single copies free

Oct. 3, 2011

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A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

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Orientation

April 16, 2012

The Ranger • 23

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News

24 • The Ranger

April 16, 2012

www.theranger.org

GET A VIA SEMESTER PASS, not a parking ticket!

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It’s the best way to get to campus... a VIA Semester Pass for only $35 for five months. Beginning Summer 2012, finding a parking space at SAC may be more difficult because of construction on campus.

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BUS STOPS AROUND CAMPUS 20

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3/4 Stops in front of SAC

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To plan your bus trip go to Google Maps, enter San Antonio College and select “get directions by public transit.”

VIA Semester Passes are available for sale at the SAC Business Office beginning August 2012 All passes are sold at VIA across the street from SAC, 1021 San Pedro Ave.

Discounted Student monthly bus passes also available online at www.viainfo.net

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4/9/12 2:25 PM