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ranger Serving San Antonio College since 1926
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Volume 90 Issue 12 • Feb. 22, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Beware the catphishers Page 7
VP position remains unfilled Candidate declines offer; committee is accepting applications for new search. By Melissa Luna
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre performs “Furtherance” in honor of Black History Month Feb. 12 in McAllister. “Furtherance” was choreographed by retired Alvin Ailey dancer Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and conveys a progression of human sorrow to
ecstasy. The next Black History Month event is the Read-in Scholarship Awards with speaker Stephanie D. McKenzie 10:50 a.m. Tuesday in the library performance area on the fourth floor of Moody. Call 210-486-0586. Alison Graef
Groundbreaking for online now Victory Center Wednesday St. Philip’s College students can participate in survey
SGA discusses UTSA transfer help, tech fair, charity ball Writing center gives students something to talk about
Trustee seeks to clarify language Amendments for equality at Alamo Colleges hint at pay policy change. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
During the Alamo Colleges’ Policy and Longrange Planning Committee meeting Tuesday, the board forwarded amendments to Policies H.1.1 Equal Education and Employment Opportunities; H.1.2 Civil Rights Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation; and G. 2.2 Access to Programs, Services and Activities. The amendments give equal employment opportunities to people of diverse gender identity and
See LANGUAGE, Page 7
President thanks state senator and grant team for victory center achievement. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
Over the summer, state Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) went to the floor of the Texas Senate and obtained $8.9 million to build new facilities and training centers for veterans at St. Philip’s College, Westside Education and Training Center and this college. The lion’s share, $7.6 million of those funds, will be used to build the Victory Center at this college. Ceremonial groundbreaking is at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Lot 14 at Main Avenue and Dewey Place opposite the Sinkin Eco Centro. President Robert Vela noted how influential Menéndez was in making the victory center happen. “When he was first elected, he took a tour of our campus, visited our veteran services and met with me and asked what I needed. My team and I made a list that included a
Courtesy new veteran center and asked if we could put a plan together,” Vela said. Vela said a couple months later, Menéndez called him prior to bringing the plan for the victory center to the Senate floor for approval. “We couldn’t have done this without the senator’s help, and he was able to get these funds thanks to our team’s ability to put together a game plan,” Vela said. He said the victory center will be a onestop shop for more than 3,000 student veterans, active military and their families to register, go through financial aid and get the support they need. Menéndez is scheduled to speak at the groundbreaking. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-486-0961 or email sac-pres@alamo.edu.
See VP, Page 7
Ready to become a 2016 graduate?
Seniors swept off feet at dance
Students wanting to graduate in May must follow process.
By Rebecca Flores sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Hair, makeup and nails were taken care of by cosmetology students at Palo Alto College. Once readied, many seniors were eager to dance the day away at the Senior Sweetheart Dance hosted by Councilman Rey Saldana. “They’ve raised their families and have contributed to the success of San Antonio. Our seniors deserve every opportunity to gather and socialize,” he said. The seniors were grateful. Virginia Hamel, 80, who belongs to the Cortez Senior Center, said, “I love it because it gets us out and we move and that’s the best part. Nothing’s better than dancing for you. And it’s social. Everybody needs to have a little joy and laughter. Music makes your heart sing.” There are many great benefits
In its fourth attempt to hire a vice president for student success, this college’s search committee is regrouping after the candidate offered the position declined the job. The candidate was not identified but officials said he declined because of personal reasons. “Even though there was an overwhelming positive response to the candidate and we offered the position to him, what happens in their personal life is out of our control,” President Robert Vela said. Committee Chair Tammy Perez is prepared to start the search over again in hopes of finding a candidate. “This doesn’t mean we stop searching,” Perez said. “It’s a process and it takes as long as it takes.” “The committee has done its job and continue to do so,” Vela said. “I have absolutely no reservations.” Perez said the committee did not hire anyone from the first batch of candidates in fall 2014 because the committee felt none were qualified enough. The second search was completed summer 2015 with two candidates visiting campus and resulted in a candidate being offered the position, but not fulfilled because of problems with human resources, Perez said. Perez will now meet with college leadership and the search committee in the next few days to ensure everyone the process remains the same. The current committee members include Harley Williams, Student Government Association president; SGA vice president Jamie Keeton; Faculty Senate president Lisa Black; Staff Council president Jacob Martinez;
By Tiffany Anne Bermea sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Rudy Gutierrez, 83, and Felisa Valdez, 85, share a dance at the Senior Sweetheart Dance Feb. 12 in the gym at Palo Alto. Raffy Gubser that come from seniors getting out and moving around, whether it’s a psychological factor or even a health factor. Dr. Stanley McCoy, psychology professor at this college, said getting out and being social benefits the lives of many seniors. “Loneliness and depression are dangerous conditions for older adults,” he said. “Social interactions stimulate memory and creativity. Social interactions for senior citizens are often called ‘the vitamin S’ (the S stands for social interaction), which may be more
important than diet for a long, healthy life.” Felisa Valdez, 85 and a widow from the Somerset Senior Center, came alone, but that didn’t stop her. “I like to dance the cumbia because you can dance it by yourself.” Psychology Professor Pamela Hill, who also teaches here, said, “Older adults can be strong, happy and wise. Most research finds that active elders live longer and more happily than inactive ones,” Hill said. “A significant proportion of the
See DANCE, Page 7
Graduation for students of this college begins at 10 a.m. May 14 at the Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St. Students approaching the end of their community college experience must meet application deadlines. The college is expecting to have a higher graduation rate this year than last, outreach adviser Lenell Clay said. “Last year, we had 1,009 students graduate, and this year, we are expecting to reach 1,100 students to graduate.” Students who want to graduate must meet the criteria. The graduate must complete all courses required for the degree with a GPA of 2.0 or better and maintain good academic standing. There is a minimum of 25 percent of coursework they must complete at this college. Finally, they must submit offi-
cial transcripts from all the colleges they have attended. On ACES, there is an online graduation application students will fill out and submit along with the graduation packet to admissions and records by the deadline. March 11 is the deadline for the spring 2016 graduation packet. The packet includes a paper graduation application form and a degree audit to be completed by an adviser. Once graduation packets are complete, they should be submitted to admissions and records by the deadline. March 20 is the final day applications can be submitted through a student’s ACES account on www.aces.alamo.edu to be eligible to walk the stage. Students pick up caps and gowns from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 1 in Room 208 of Fletcher Administration Center. Students are still able to participate in graduation even if their professors haven’t posted their grades yet, Clay said. “In April, they pick up their graduation
See GRADUATE, Page 7