Pg. 4-5 Amarillo College's News Source Since 1930 Volume 91, Issue 3
acranger.com
October 8, 2020
COVID-19 concerns will cause changes
All lecture-based classes will pivot to tech-supported Oct. 26 By CAYLEE HANNA Page Editor
Amarillo College has created a plan to move face-to-face lecture classes to tech-supported learning while labs and performance-based classes will still be able to meet in-person starting Oct. 26, after fall break. This plan will be in effect until the end of the academic year in May unless the number of COVID- 19 cases increase drastically, college officials said. Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, the AC President, held a livestreamed town hall meeting on Friday, Oct. 2 where he discussed this plan along with some other changes that will take place. “Nothing is really changing except the clarity and simplicity of our face-to-face lecture classes,” Lowery-Hart said during the meeting. “Our face-to-face lecture based classes will move to tech-supported learning when Fall II starts through the end of the academic year in May. If it’s a performative-based class, an interactive creative arts class, a hands-on class or a lab, you still have the option to come back on campus. If the numbers resuscitate to where we have to go remote learning fully, then we’ll do that.” Lowery-Hart said that he is proud of how the staff, faculty and students have dealt with the virus so far, but AC needs to create a new system that provides clarity and simplicity to them. “I think we just need to honor the sacrifices that we’ve all made to get to this point and we just need to develop a system that is manageable, a work load that is manageable and we need clarity and simplicity in what we are telling our students and what we are providing them, in and outside of the classroom,” Lowery-Hart said. “We just have to simplify this for you and that is what we are trying to do.” Along with face-to-face lecture classes being moved to techsupported learning after fall break, the commencement ceremony for the fall semester will be held online. “We will have a virtual commencement this fall like we did in the spring,” Lowery-Hart said. Lizbeth Hernandez, a biology major, said that this decision is an adjustment that most students will have to grow accustomed to. “I feel the switch to tech-supported learning is a dubious decision for both students and instructors but definitely a safe
precaution for everyone on campus,” Hernandez said. “As a biology major, I’m fortunate that labs and other classes will be offered in person for hands-on learning. Nevertheless, virtual learning is something that we will have to adjust to in the meantime. Not only will this be a new adjustment for most of us, including myself, but also a differential way of learning which may offer some underlying benefits.” Some students prefer to be in face-to-face lecture classes, but are relieved that they are still able to attend video conference lectures. “I feel like it’s a little difficult to learn over a computer and at home because it’s not the same as being in class and being faceto-face,” Sierra Ochoa, a music education major, said. “It’s a little scary because I feel like I might miss certain opportunities, but besides that at least class is still happening and there is still a way for me to learn somehow. I understand why classes are being moved to tech-supported learning and I respect it but at the same time it’s just a little concerning.” Lowery-Hart said that he is still worried about how COVID-19 will affect the community, but he knows that AC will stay strong. “We’re continuing to do miraculous work with our students,” he said. “This has been stressful, painful and scary. I’m still worried about what COVID is doing to our community, in our school districts and what it could do for us if we don’t stay diligent about wearing our masks, staying socially distanced and practicing good hygiene. But I don’t have uncertainty about our ability to manage it, survive it and come out stronger from it.” Hernandez said that although this change may be difficult for some students, this step is needed in order to figure out a better approach. “Although it can be challenging to adapt to new circumstances, it’s important to recognize that everyone is trying their best to modify their learning and teaching methods and become accustomed to new habits,” Hernandez said. For more detailed information about how AC will be changing for the rest of the academic year, a recording of the town hall meeting can be found at: https://livestream.com/panhandlepbs/ac100220/ videos/211607397.
Adams Earn & Learn internship program to provide career boost By BETHANY FOX and ARINE GALE GARIN Staff Reporters
Amarillo College is starting a new hands-on program to provide students with work experience in their career fields. Business leaders from the Amarillo community gathered at the Washington Street Campus Oct. 1 to announce the Adams Earn & Learn Program. This new initiative focuses on providing students with training with the local businesses while obtaining college credits. Jerry Rohane, the CEO of Western Builders, said he is grateful for the new program, which he called “a great asset to build our workforce for years to come.” Jorge Ramirez, an architect with
Höhe Design Group, said the program will give students a stepping stone to acquire skills within their career fields. “There is nothing more important than a competent worker who already has the knowledge and skills they have attained compared to another who is starting off with no experience,” Ramirez said. Both Rohane and Ramirez are members of the Earn & Learn CEO Council, a group of local employers who have committed to providing work based learning to 10,000 AC students by 2030. Toni Gray, the AC executive director of workforce development, said she is excited about this new opportunity for students and the Amarillo community. “It’s going to be huge eventually,” Gray said.
“We work with employers, the student applies through AC, we look at the areas they are interested in and then we screen and pick the top applicants,” Gray said. “We will then send our top applicants to the employers and let them interview the students for hire.” There are multiple advantages for students in this program, such as hands-on learning. “It will be easier to find a job when you are already working for someone,” Gray said. “Also if you do a great job, they may want to hire you after you finish.” The employers will benefit from “growing their own” workers, Gray said. Students are reacting positively to the new initiative. “It is important to get real world experience and this program helps students get experience as
well as credit,” Isabelle Bruce, a general studies major, said. Roy Guillen, a West Texas A&M student and an intern at AC, also said he thinks this program will be valuable for students. “Depending on the subject, it is easier to learn hands-on because you are actually doing the field work,” he said. Applicants for the program do not need to be current AC students. “At this time, we are requiring students to complete an online application and submit materials including a resume,” said Reagan Hales, the AC associate vice president for innovation and work-based learning. “The process will be highly competitive for the pilot cohort so coursework or prior work experience may help differentiate one candidate from the next.”
October 8, 2020
Editor weathers storm(ie) of COVID OPINION By STORMIE SANCHEZ Editor-in-chief
It started with a headache. A sharp headache, directly behind my right eye. Immediately I assumed it was a sinus infection. Yet like many women before me, I would not be bothered to alter my daily life simply for a headache, and so to work I went. My shift started like any other, my bar lined with the familiar faces of my happy hour crowd. Old men cracking inappropriate jokes over their $2 beers, I laughed and I poured another. However, the headache was still there. It was growing, throbbing now. Finally, I broke down and took some pain relievers. Thankfully it was a slow night because my symptoms only worsened. I was coughing like I smoked a pack a day. My throat and ears stung with pain. Time ticked by ever so slowly until finally, I was free. The next day was worse. I woke to a dull and throbbing headache, but I had to get to class. I tried to ignore it and dutifully logged in to Google Meets. Over the course of the lecture my headache grew, making it difficult to concentrate. I emailed my professor after the lecture to let him know I was not feeling well. I was scheduled to be in a lab at 2:15, and wasn’t sure if I should come to campus. We talked about my symptoms, the cough, the headache, sore throat, a low fever with chills. He asked me not to come to campus, and suggested I get a COVID-19 test. He said he would have to report my symptoms to the college, so they could track possible cases. My head was throbbing and all I could do was sleep. When I woke up I had an email from the school that required my response. The email asked me if I planned to get tested, and informed me that I would not be allowed on campus for 10 days or until I received negative test results. I let them know I was scheduled to get a test the next day at Walgreens. They told me once I received my results we could discuss a plan to get me back on campus. I obsessively monitored my temperature, and nursed my headache through my evening Zoom class, then sleep was the only escape from the pain. Wednesday morning I struggled to get out of bed. The symptoms overall were less severe, but still present. I woke up with a low fever and a dull headache. My eyes were sensitive to light, requiring sunglasses for my trip to Walgreens. The test was given to me via the pharmacy drive-thru. It was much
less invasive than the earliest versions of the test, much to my relief. I was instructed to swirl a cotton swab three times around each of my nostrils. Easy enough. According to the information package provided to me, my results would take three days. Thursday morning is when things took a turn. I woke up, headache ever-present, took my vitamins, and started boiling water for my coffee … but … I couldn’t smell the coffee brewing. Almost frantically I grabbed my coffee can and shoved my face inside, desperately searching for a scent, but there was none. I ran to my bathroom and sprayed perfume onto a hand towel and smelled it, to no avail. I had lost my sense of smell. My other symptoms were starting to fade. The cough was only a problem when I lay down. The headache still lingered, but the light sensitivity was gone. When I tried to eat before my evening class, I could hardly taste anything. Miserably I sat through another three-hour zoom class, headache growing yet again. Once it was over, to sleep I went. I slept for 12 hours. I can’t remember the last time I slept that long. Today my symptoms are much less severe than they have been. I am still unable to smell or taste anything. It’s the weirdest thing, I ate a peanut butter wafer and I could feel the creaminess of the peanut butter, but tasted nothing. My coffee tastes like water. My water tastes … funny. I still don’t have my COVID test results, and I’m not supposed to get them until tomorrow. I think the school took the right precautions by not allowing me on campus. This whole experience has really made me think about all the times in the past that I have felt ill and still went to school and work. Most teachers don’t allow you to miss class without a doctor’s note. In the restaurant industry, even when you have a doctor’s note, you are met with hostility for going to the doctor at all, and if you don’t get your shifts covered, prepare to receive some passive-aggressive text messages. I’ve been sick for five days. That’s five days I would normally be in class or at work, getting who knows who sick because I can't afford to miss. COVID-19 has changed how we look at sick people, and honestly, I think it’s a good change that I hope will stick around. I should have my test results tomorrow, and I’m still hoping for the best. If you are experiencing symptoms, do your community a favor and stay home.
Badgers deserve big seat at table
Illustration by DANIAR ONOZ | The Ranger
EDITORIAL
Amarillo College is embarking upon the process of spending nearly $90 million in bond money and students should have more input on how that money is spent. Students helped pass the bond that is providing the funding. May of 2019 saw a voter-approved bond pass with the intention of improving or updating our campuses over the next 10 years. As work begins on these projects, however, college officials are doing little to solicit student opinion on how those improvements should materialize. The projects ultimately affect students the most, so the student body should have a big flag to wave with regard to which direction we move. Instead we hold up a tiny pinwheel. It goes without saying that the governing body of the college is choosing to spend the bond money in ways that will benefit the college and the area by improving and, in some instances, adding programs intended to generate interest and attendance.
Among the more exciting changes is the addition of a film program and another in visual effects - distinct programs uncommon to the region and intent on developing technology skills relevant to several industries. While most students support these efforts, some students find other proposed changes less appealing. A prominent example lies in the plan to swap the location of the Student Life department with the fine arts classrooms. This will move painting, drawing and ceramics classes into the basement of the College Union Building and Student Government and other Student Life areas into Russell Hall. Who represents students who may be affected by these changes? Do they have a voice? The college has not gone without considering the student point of view outright and has included in its initial implementation committee two student representatives from the Student Government Association. The issue, however, is that
two members from one organization can hardly speak for thousands of students and several different organizations throughout seven campuses. The bond is funded through taxpayer money like many other public programs in which taxpayers have a voice in deciding how funds are allocated. Not only are taxpayers funding this project like they would others such as building roadways, these improvements to AC campuses will directly affect the educational advancement of students who live through these changes instead of just driving on them. Finally, we ask that the college do more to keep students informed regarding the plans and proposals for bond money and allow them to have more input into how the money is allocated and how renovation decisions are made. We are grateful that the taxpayers have given AC this opportunity for improvement and we are thankful to the college officials implementing the changes. We just want a voice.
AS AMARILLO COLLEGE BEGINS SPENDING NEARLY $90 MILLION IN BOND MONEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE RENOVATED MOST ON CAMPUS?
JULIAN HERNANDEZ
JENNY BANDERFORD
“Amarillo College should make more areas where students can get to know each other and build a better community.”
“We need more parking because now that they built the greenhouse thing, there’s less, and maybe like things in the Ordway Hall because it’s kind of old.”
Criminal Justice
Editor-in-Chief Stormie Sanchez
Design Manager Shawn McCrea
Online Editor Sarinity Frazier
Page Editors
Joey Pantoja, Bridget Ulloa, Taylor Burton, Caylee Hanna, Jessika Fulton, Pierce Lawson
Graphic Design
Staff Reporters Alyssa Fant, Arine Garin Columnists
Emma deGrood, Ruth Martinez
Graphic Designers
Sydney West, Daniar Oñoz
Photographers
Brandon Belflower, Zach Quiros
October 8, 2020
Illustration by SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
Taking Amarillo College by transit By MACKI EDWARDS Satff Reporter
Amarillo College students will be able to ride city buses for free until 2023 thanks to a new agreement with the City of Amarillo. Marita Wellage-Reiley, the City of Amarillo Transit director, and Cara Crowley, AC vice president of strategic initiatives, have been working together to make sure everything is running smoothly. “I have been working on getting the transit bus to stay free for all Amarillo College students, faculty and staff,”
said Wellage-Reiley. The original agreement was made to end earlier than expected but the City of Amarillo and Amarillo College worked out an agreement to extend the “lease” until 2023. The price of a city bus ride used to be $1 or a day pass for $2. Free transit rides for AC students, faculty and staff with a college ID began in August 2019 and the agreement between Amarillo College and the City of Amarillo will come to an end in August 2023. There are signs around AC
campuses saying where to stand and wait to catch the bus. “The 41 and 42 routes go past the Washington Street Campus and the 11 and 43 routes go past the West Campus,” Reiley said. AC received grants from Amarillo National Bank and from the CARES Act to make the free rides possible. “The original grant was to AC for $25,000 from Amarillo National Bank. The CARES Act grant that Amarillo City Transit received was $9.8 million that provides operating and capital
and allows ACT to operate without charging a fare,” said Wellage-Reiley. Due to COVID-19, the number of people riding the AC bus routes has dropped dramatically. From a peak ridership of 725 riders in January 2020 to only two riders in July. City officials said all Amarillo City Transit vehicles are cleaned and disinfected after each trip into the downtown terminal, and they are deepcleaned nightly. Passengers 10 years of age and older are required to wear face cover-
ings onboard, and social distancing is observed. Amarillo City Transit is also providing free doorto-door service for anyone who books a COVID-19 test through the Amarillo Public Health Department. Those who contact the health department and receive an individual code number for an appointment to be tested can then contact Amarillo City Transit at 3783095 and make arrangements for personalized transportation to and from the health department facilities.
Fall 2020 semester sees enrollment decline By CAILEY DINGA Staff Reporter
Illustration by SHAWN McCREA | The Ranger
Badgers increase suicide awareness By MELISSA SANDOVAL Staff Reporter
September was National Suicide Awareness month and the AC police department held a program recognizing the issue Sept. 22, at the Ware Student Commons. “For so long, it’s been a silent discussion and I think it’s been misunderstood. People think that, you know, it’s maybe a disease or that it’s genetic, but it’s not,” said Morice Jackson, the chaplain of the AC police department. “My thing is that I want to shine light on the issue, I want to get a better understanding and I want people to know that it’s not about who they are as a person but it’s about how you can help them as a human being.” Jackson said he wants to bring awareness to suicide and to let students know that they’re not alone and that there are various resources available to them. “It’s so important, because you know sometimes people don’t think they have choices,” said Jackson. “So naturally, they want to take, and I don’t want to say the easy way out, but they don’t really think it through. And my job, is to connect these dots,
so that the people that feel that way don’t feel afraid or embarrassed to call and say, ‘Hey, I’m not OK and I don’t feel right.’” Kenia Villagran, a biology major, said she is a big supporter of mental health awareness and keeps herself informed when it comes to mental health issues. “It’s important because we still deal with a lot of suicides here in the states and we deal a lot with mental health problems,” said Villagran. “A lot of people don’t realize that there’s always help whenever they feel like they’re at their lowest point and if we do bring awareness to suicide, people will realize that they’re not as alone as they think they are so it’s always good to bring awareness.” Students said they are glad to have events like this hosted at AC so that they are more aware of things like suicide and mental health issues in general, and so that they are aware of the resources available to them and anyone who needs them. “I think it’s really good, very supportive in looking out for the community at least,” said Kelton Ramoa, a general education major.
Amarillo College is facing a decline in enrollment, but college officials say that could be because so many AC students have graduated and transferred to West Texas A&M University. Cassie Montgomery, the AC director of outreach services, said the college’s spring 2020 graduation was one of the largest in AC’s history. “Due to WT’s increasing enrollment, we assume that the majority of students transferred to WT,” Montgomery said.
Brandy Carr, the WT transfer coordinator, said that AC and WT’s partnership makes it smoother and less stressful for students to go from one college to another. “Our transfer students typically are 40 percent to 45 percent of our students. That percentage is growing and is probably a lot closer to half of the student body now,” Carr said. This fall, 376 students enrolled at WT have transferred from AC, said Erik Cortez, WT’s transfer student admissions counselor. Montgomery said that enrollment may have dropped
due to the pandemic, which has led to people’s work hours changing and people becoming unemployed or homebound, making it difficult to attend school. “Also, we have to consider that the graduating class of 2020 was one of the smallest classes to graduate across the nation. Less high school graduates means less prospective college students to work with,” Montgomery said. Unofficial numbers show AC has 8,853 students enrolled this fall semester. This represents a decline of 7.9% percent from fall of last year.
Diversity brings opportunities AC promotes cultural awareness in response to diverse student body By EMILY UNDERWOOD Staff Reporter
Amarillo College’s student body is made up of 70 percent first generation students, 58 percent minority students and 67 percent female students. Melodie Graves, the associate director of academic advising and diversity committee chair, said that AC is growing in diversity every day. “Diversity is very important at AC. Our employees should match our student body makeup,” said Graves. “It is our job to make sure we provide an inclusive environment and students of all backgrounds are welcomed on all campuses,” she said. AC has a plan that will in-
clude required anti-bias training for every employee, new recruiting commitments for employment and a deeper dive into the student success data. Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, said that AC has many diversity training and cultural understanding events. “We share an equity report card at every board meeting,” Lowery-Hart said. “And we launched a new team specifically focused on equity and diversity to ensure our policies and procedures are actively inclusive.” The AC diversity team spotlights culture through many activities including Hispanic heritage month, student/employee panels, Black history month programs and
Native American month. “I think we need to be intentional about our programming and make sure that everything we do spotlights diversity somehow,” said Graves. Students say they enjoy hearing about the different backgrounds and beliefs from both students and staff that they get to know at the college. “I like how diverse my classes are because I meet people from all places that have very interesting stories,” said Haylen Hall, a pre-nursing major. “It is also nice to have all ranges of ages at AC, I have become friends with some of my older classmates and I have learned a lot from them,” Hall said.
October 8, 2020
Amarillo College moves forward on renovation
Master plan works toward improving AC campuses By FLOREYA QUINTERO Staff Reporter
Amarillo College has begun work on several construction and renovation projects funded by the 2019 bond election that granted the school $89.206 million. The projects are based on proposals in the college “master plan” of projects to improve the AC campuses. “Right now, we have six projects that have been approved by the board of regents,” Danny Smith, AC’s master plan program manager, said. Many of the changes will take place on AC’s Washington Street Campus, which will see renovations to the Student Services Center, the Carter Fitness Center, Russell Hall and parking lot nine, Smith said. Smith said that the renovation of the Student Service Center is designed to reorganize it to make everything relatively closer. The goal is for students, especially
Illustration by TAYLOR BURTON | The Ranger
new students, to walk into the building and get everything done in a one-stopshop manner. “With the renovation, students won’t have to go to six or so different buildings to get what they need or talk to who they need to,” Smith said. “It’ll all be right there.” The Carter Fitness Center will be remodeled to have new restrooms and new locker rooms, Chris Sharp, the vice president of business
affairs, said. Russell Hall will also be remodeled, and the fine arts classes taught there now will be moved to the basement of the College Union Building, while Student Life, which is currently located in the CUB basement, will move to Russell Hall. “The outside of both Russell Hall and the Carter Fitness Center will have a new look to it,” Sharp said. “It’ll be an update from the 1950s buildings we see now.”
Bond project plans to create new facilities By BRIDGET ULLOA Page Editor
The Innovation Outpost and the First Responders Academy are the two buildings that will be constructed as part of Amarillo College’s $89.206 million bond project. The Innovation Outpost will be constructed at what has served as the college’s downtown campus on Polk Street. It will serve as a creative space for both students and the community in both film production and technology and workforce innovation, said Chris Sharp, vice president of business affairs. Construction on the facility is scheduled to take two years and will begin in the spring of 2021. “There are more things going on there than anybody could imagine right now. We’re going to bring in a new program to the campus and that’s filmmaking,” said Danny Smith, the AC masterplan program manager. The Innovation Outpost will house two tenants who currently work in the filmmaking business. One is Sharpened Iron Studios, which will produce faithbased movies and shows, and the other one is a visual effects, or VFX, company that will create special effects for movies. “Both of them will
require a big soundstage so we will have two big soundstages there,” Sharp said. The Outpost will also serve as a hub for business research and development and a meeting place for collaboration and the sharing of new technologies and ideas. “In the middle of the outpost will be where companies can come and lease space and do just some innovation work and try and make their product and company better, trying to create innovative ways of managing their business,” Sharp said. As work begins on the Innovation Outpost, college officials have purchased a building on Plains Boulevard that will be remodeled to house a new First Responders Academy This will be a year and a half to two year project, Smith said. “We’re going to move the law enforcement that’s on West Campus, the emergency management people that are on West Campus, the fire people that are out at the East Campus, into the old JC Penny building at the Sunset Center,” Smith said. The academy will focus on providing the classes and programs for students who want to pursue a career as a first responder such as an EMT, firefighter or police officer. “It’s difficult now to get
people interested in law enforcement as the times being as they are,” Sharp said. “But I think that if we get a good state-of-the-art, convenient place for people to come and get educated, I think that’s going to help a lot.” Sharp said that originally the plan was to build the First Responders Academy on the East Campus, but decided instead to locate it closer to West Campus. Leslie Martinez, a criminal justice major, said that she didn’t know about the projects taking place but is excited to see the new programs in the future. “Even though I’ll already have graduated from AC, I think that it’s great that the school is doing more for both the students who want to have a career in film and as a first responder.” Though the construction of these facilities will take some time to be completed, Sharp said he wants to assure students and faculty that it will be worth it. “Be patient with us. There’s going to be a lot of good stuff to come out of it and we want to build buildings that people will be proud of and that people can say that Amarillo College has some of the nicest buildings of any college in the state of Texas,” Sharp said. “There are some good things coming.”
Lastly, parking lot nine that is next to the Byrd business building will be remodeled. Smith said that parking lot nine will lose some parking spots after making some reconfigurations. “The drive lanes are too narrow, and the parking spots are too tight,” Smith said. “We want to make it more user-friendly, and making it more user-friendly means making it smaller.” Sharp also said that more
pedestrian crossovers will be added near parking lot nine to make it easier for people to cross the streets and make it safer for everyone. “It’ll all be remodeled,” Sharp said. “We want to modernize everything as much as we can and make it all look really good.” Voters passed the bond proposal in May 2019, giving AC the authority to issue bonds for up to $89.206 million and increasing property taxes $40 for every $100,000 in property valuation. The bond project proposals also call for updates to the college’s HVAC systems, improvements to aging buildings and infrastructure, technological updates and renovations to bring the college into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the building of the Innovation Outpost and First Responders Academy. AC officials say the renovations and construction will take approximately 10 years to complete.
Bond projects
FAST FACTS: ● Total allocated $89.206 million ● Bond passed by voters in May 2019
PROPOSED PROJECTS INCLUDE: • HVAC upgrades • ADA updates • First Responders Academy • Innovation Hub • Parking improvements • Updates to aging buildings and infrastructure • Upgrade of Student Services Center • Relocation of Student Life department and fine arts classes • Updates to Russell Hall and Carter Fitness Center Due to bond, property taxes have increased about $40 for every $100,000 in property valuation
October 8, 2020
Bond provides accessibility upgrades AC works to improve disability access on campus By BETHANY FOX Staff Reporter
About $4 million of the money Amarillo College has been allocated from the 2019 bond election will be spent ensuring campus facilities are accessible for students with disabilities. Accessibility updates will help AC campuses to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is a law that protects those with disabilities from discrimination and ensures everyone has the same rights and opportunities. These updates are a top priority for AC renovations. “Some of these updates will be made this fall semester, but some are certain to carry over into the spring,” Joe Wyatt, the communications content producer, said. “Since ADA updates have been prioritized, they should mostly be addressed during the 2020-2021 school year.” Architects will inspect all the AC campuses and look for ADA violations. “They will inspect and assess ADA compliance problems that are not just about access, but about ease of mobility for disabled persons on the interior of our
ZACH QUIROS | The Ranger
Amarilo College is being renovated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
properties,” Wyatt said. “For example, when a shelf extends too far from a wall in a bathroom and someone who is visually impaired and uses a cane to move around can’t detect the shelf with a cane,
these are the type of problems that must be resolved.” Pam Jackson is the advising associate in the disAbility department and she works with students to assure equal access to programs
and services at AC. Jackson said she is excited about the upcoming ADA compliance upgrades. “This will make it safe for all students who attend AC,” Jackson said. “For instance, in the bathrooms
there are coat rack hangers that will have to be moved.” The upgrades will help students such as Chris Brandon, a general studies major, who has a visual impairment that only allows him to see large figures and shapes. Before Brandon started classes this semester, he said Jackson walked him around campus so that he could get a mental picture of where he would be going for classes. “The fact that people with disabilities are taken into account, is great,” Brandon said. When Jackson meets with students, she hears their concerns about accessibility on campus. “Students have complained about things like doors being too heavy to open or wheelchair buttons on doors not working,” Jackson said. Brandon had complaints about the vending machines screens not being large enough for him to read. Every building has room for improvement when it comes to accessibility, Wyatt said. “All of our buildings seem to have obstacles that need to be addressed, and we’re working very conscientiously to make sure we remedy as many of these issues as we possibly can.”
COURTESY PHOTO
The new Innovation Outpost will be located in downtown Amarillo and is set to open in 2022.
Innovation Outpost plans to serve workforce By EMILY UNDERWOOD Staff Reporter
Amarillo College officials say the new Innovation Outpost will boost the area economy and provide a trained workforce for the future. “It is our vision that the Outpost can help connect Amarillo to programs and services that can help the entire community learn how to strategically think, train a workforce in advanced technologies, innovate new product services and connect to leading industrial
and technology experts from around the world,” said Reagan Hales, the associate vice president of academic innovation. The concept of an innovation outpost, also known as innovation hub, is to create and promote better business for a community and more advanced learning opportunities through a wide variety of programming and partnerships. AC’s outpost will feature a community makerspace, a unique visual-effects degree program and other innova-
tive career mechanisms and economic stimuli. The Innovation Outpost will be located at the Downtown Campus, which has housed AC’s department of continuing education and is centrally located in historic downtown Amarillo. The construction will begin early 2021 and the facility is set to open in late spring/summer 2022. Local business leaders say they are excited about the facility. “Any system that supports business through workforce development can have a pos-
itive economic impact on the communities and the Texas Panhandle,” said Marin Rivas, the director of the workforce development at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission. “An example would be expansion of existing business. Some businesses may have the opportunities to expand, if they have the skills and trained workforce,” Rivas said. AC officials said that the Outpost may have anything from robotics to woodworking.
“The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation team is really excited about the opportunities the Innovation Outpost will bring,” said Savannah Tarbet, the AEDC director of marketing and communications. Tarbet said that she believes that the Outpost will give companies an incentive to relocate to Amarillo. “The addition of this asset to our community will better prepare the local workforce for various industry sectors that we are trying to attract to Amarillo,” she said.
October 8, 2020
COURTESY PHOTO
Your voice is your vote OPINION By RAYGAN LOPEZ Staff Reporter
Your social media feeds may have already been swarmed with news about the upcoming election, what harm could one more media outlet that tells you to vote be? Something to note is your voice is your vote, and as cliché as that may sound, it’s true. Voting affects everyone in the future. So with that being said, yeah, voting is important, but educating yourself about the candidates is vital. Not voting in itself is giving up your voice, but voting for a harmful candidate is potentially worse. “Blind voting” can cause harm to oneself and those around you. Presidential candidates might endorse sexism, racism, homophobia or any other discriminatory behaviors. This is a big deal because the president influences others and could entitle followers to discriminate. Another reason you should
educate yourself about candidates is that you pay taxes. Taxes can be spent on many different things – schools, health care, social services – and voting is a way of getting a choice about how your tax dollars are spent. If a candidate cuts taxes to schools, this could harm the children all over America, including the ones in your life. If you think you pay too many taxes, you have the option to vote for a candidate that plans to cutting taxes. OK, you get it. It’s your voice and your money, but if you don’t vote someone else will. It’s not just voting for a candidate, but you must know the policies and interests that come with the candidate. Someone else will then be deciding matters about immigration, health care, infrastructure, jobs, education, taxes, Social Security and equal opportunities. These policies affect
future generations and one’s own generation. Voting is a right and a choice, but some people don’t have the option to vote. Information on policies is crucial for those without a voice. The candidate with the best interests of the people is necessary. Now, maybe those reasons may not tilt the scale in your head, but have you ever been driving and hit a pothole? Highways are affected by voting, so elect the candidate that is choosing whether highways and public transit should be supported or not, your car’s alignment depends on it. Every vote counts and with this upcoming election, every voice is crucial. People’s lives are being altered every day. This presidential election is critical for Americans, so educate yourself on the policies before electing a candidate who could potentially harm someone you love. Your voice is your vote.
Debate makes mockery of US OPINION By ALYSSA FANT Staff Reporter
Infographics by CAYLEE HANNA | The Ranger
Tuesday, Sept. 29, President Donald Trump and candidate Joe Biden had their first traditional “Presidential Debate.” A debate that has since been compared to babies crying, foxes screaming and children arguing over which Power Ranger is the best, to name a few. What was once adult men having adult discussions over the condition of the United States and how it can be improved has now been degraded to nonsensical bickering and pointless banter. You could practically hear the moans of the American people as President Trump interrupted Biden during the debate for the thirty-somethingish time. I quickly stopped concerning myself with the contents of the debate only a few minutes in, as I had quickly convinced myself that nothing of importance was going to be said. I’ve read Twitter debates more mature than
this. My mother and I were straining to listen to these men talk over each other in order to make any kind of sense as to what was going on. It seems that debates have lost their meaning in the eyes of American citizens, and is now just another outlet for the two sides to belittle each other. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale had their presidential debates. A video of them can be found on YouTube, and the difference is uncanny. There was no interrupting, no pointless banter, no mudslinging, just two men taking turns trying to prove in a mature, ethical manner why they should be the president of the United States. It appears that back then, people cared more about professionalism, sophistication and respect than they do today. They didn’t care about being the one who said the most and they weren’t worried that giving the other person a chance to speak would ruin their whole campaign.
These potential future “presidents” have made a mockery of our country. It is clear that more concern is placed on the entertainment value of the debate as opposed to what is actually being said. Yes, the 1984 debate was more boring, but what was said had more substance than what we saw last week. As more and more people over time watch television and have certain expectations for what they are watching, news stations have changed to give their viewers what they want, and that includes presidential debates. The questions that were asked were “trendy” like COVID-19 and race issues and were meant to stir up conflict and get the candidates arguing. They used topics that were “meant to trigger ratings” to get more people watching and get broadcasting businesses more monetization money. Our country is extremely divided, and our “national leaders” are not helping in the slightest.
October 8, 2020
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This game is anything but suspicious REVIEW By CAYLEE HANNA Page Editor
Am I a gamer? No. Am I qualified to review “Among Us”? Probably not. Am I going to review it anyway? Absolutely. “Among Us” is a multiplayer space mystery game that was developed and published by the American game studio, Innersloth. This game is a fast-paced party game and each sequence of multiple rounds typically lasts 10 minutes on average. In “Among Us,” players have the option to play in a local or online game as well as a private game if they are playing with their
friends. Even though this game came out in 2018, it has only recently become popular. In the game, players are randomly given a role to play. They either get assigned crewmate or impostor. Crewmates wander around the game map and attempt to complete all of their designated tasks before the imposters have the chance to kill them. Throughout this entire time, the imposters fake doing tasks and attempt to shift the blame off them when they are being called suspicious by other players. The crewmates vote off the players in which they suspect the impostor to be when-
ever a dead body is reported or when an emergency meeting is called. This online game literally causes players to develop trust issues in case they didn’t have them already. I like this about the game because it allows there to be a lot of blame-shifting and it also causes the players to be on edge the entire time wondering if they’re going to get framed for someone else’s murder or get backstabbed by their closest ally in the game. One of my favorite things about this game is that it lets the players customize their character. The player gets to decide what color they want their
armless astronaut to be, if they want a hat and if they want a costume. In the same customization menu, the player can choose what animal they would like to have following their every move. However, it is extremely heart-wrenching to see the pet sitting in the exact spot that the player died in and it seems like it is waiting for the player to return to them. I like the fact that they added this in the game because it allows the players to connect to the game emotionally. Learning how to play this game was super easy and I think that playing this game is a good way to relieve
stress during this crazy year. “Among Us” really reminds me of the game “Clue” where there is a murderer and the other players have to add pieces of information together and figure out who the killer is. Overall, I really enjoyed this game and getting to play it with my friends as well as random people on the internet. I managed to get all of my friends addicted to this game and we usually end up playing for hours at a time. I highly recommend this game to literally anyone, even if you aren’t a gamer. Just be warned, “Among Us” is heavily addicting.
AMoA goes virtual By JADE RAMOS Staff Reporter
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AC grad teaches art of screenwriting By EVAN STATON Staff Reporter
Starting in October, Amarillo College will offer an online screenwriting class. The non-academic credit class will be taught by a successful Los Angeles screenwriter using Zoom video-conferencing. “This instructor-led, online course will cover the art, craft and business of screenwriting. The course will teach the classical screenplay three-act structure with a focus on dialogue, characterization, screen structure and
conflict,” MJ Hammond, the AC education, sales and promotion specialist, said. The course will cover every facet of screenwriting and prepare students for a career in that field if that is their passion, she said. Ryan Riley, an AC graduate with an MFA in screenwriting, will teach the class. Riley received an associates in mass media at AC, and then transferred to Texas Tech where he studied creative writing and photography. He moved to California in 2009 to study screen-
writing at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. “In 2017, Ryan sold his first feature screenplay, ‘Take Back the Night,’ to New Regency with the creators of ‘The Purge’ film and TV series attached to produce,” Hammond said. “Movies in general interest me, and the whole aspect of screen writing is very fascinating to me,” Marc Arteus, a mass media major, said. The class will begin Oct. 27 and will end Dec. 17. It is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
To register, go to https://www.actx.edu/ce/classes/topic_query.php?topic=CFVP. For more information contact 806-467-3041
The Amarillo Museum of Art is coming up with new ways to stay connected with visitors and allow them to continue looking at art in person. Traditionally, AMoA hosts openings, school outreach, class activities and tours. Due to the COVID pandemic, museum officials have tried their best to move as much as they can to an online format. “We’ve encouraged people to come visit the museum during our modified hours, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every week, and engage in our online programming,” Deana Craighead, the curator of education, said. Masks, physical distancing and gallery occupancy limits have been added and interactive gallery activities
have been removed. The museum also made adjustments to hold its annual 12 by 12 event, which began Oct. 2. Normally, AMoA holds an art show featuring many different pieces in person and, after viewing the artwork, the audience participates in a silent auction. This year AMoA held the viewing and the bids online. “People will go and see what art pieces are entered and later when the event closes our online bids will be opened for a week.” Kim Mahan, the executive director of AMoA, said. Mahan said AMoA is continuing to try different ways to stay in touch with their community. On Oct. 16, the museum will open an exhibit featuring three different artists. There will be a virtual interview with each of the artists and a virtual film.
Fall is Here
October 8, 2020
Autumn’s arrival brings traditions, time off ByJADERAMOSand IVYSOTO Staff Reporters
The seasons are changing, the leaves are falling and Amarillo College students are ready for a break. The pandemic changed a lot of summer and spring activities and students say that are longing for traditional fall festivities. “I guess being robbed of all of the fun things I normally did in the summer made me feel like, with fall around the corner, our favorite fall traditions could possibly be a nice relief,” Sandra Gonzalez, a radiation therapy major, said. Fall is known for football, pumpkin patches, haunted houses and fall festivals, but many of these activities look different due to COVID-19. “Playing football in the nice cold weather is probably my favorite thing to do during the fall,” Larry Peña, a biology major, said. “I love to watch football and I love to play it with family, it just really sets the whole ‘fall’ vibe.” Traveling during the fall is also common. “Every year my family and I go to Idaho to visit my grandparents. I get to go hiking and see all of the mountains,” Miguel Flores, a computer information systems major, said. “Two years ago, we didn’t go and it was as if it was hardly fall that year. I’m really looking forward to this year’s trip because I need it.” Students will have the chance to take a vacation when the first set of eight-week courses end Oct. 16, offering a full week break from all college classes. Several students said they are considering traveling during fall break although they are somewhat cautious about making plans because of COVID. “COVID ruined a cruise I had planned in November and also ruined my Vegas trip in October,” Jerrie Kayy, a dental hygiene major, said. Kayy said she wants to make plans to go to Colorado Springs for the break, but she is worried that COVID could ruin that trip for her as well. Some students are making plans in spite of the pandemic. “I was thinking about taking a small getaway with my boyfriend to Oklahoma City,” Macki Edwards, an online marketing major, said. Other students said that for them fall break will be all about earning money. “The only plans that I have are to work,” Jalen Wallace, a mass media major, said. AC’s fall break runs from Oct. 19 through Oct. 25. College facilities will be open during the break and AC staff will be available to provide assistance with registration, financial aid and other services.
Illustration by PIERCE LAWSON | The Ranger