The Ranger, March 5, 2018

R ANGER

An independent forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926 and the Alamo Colleges since 1945 Volume 92 • Issue 13

THE

MARCH

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2 0 1 8 Journalism-photography program at San Antonio College

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Pledge Drive

cables, microphone filters, record needles and CD players.

Listeners who make donations will receive gift certificates. The station obtains the gift certificates as donations from businesses.

The station is on air 24 hours a day.

To make a donation, call 210-4861373.

See full story online.

Alfred Allen

Campus radio station KSYM 90.1 FM will host a weeklong pledge drive beginning today with a goal of raising $35,000.

Twenty guest hosts will staff the airwaves during the drive.

Funds raised go toward licensing music and purchasing equipment upgrades such as microphones, wires,

Students debate protest content Director of ministry will not censor signs.

By Austin P. Taylor

ataylor160@student.alamo.edu

Deirdre Lacour, dancer with The Roots Project, encourages the audience to participate in the Fanga Alafia, a welcome song from Nigeria, Feb. 28 at the African Festival in Loftin. They were accompanied by drummer T-bow Gonzales, drum instructor at Carver Community Cultural Center. V. Finster

Chancellor finalist addresses employees at town hall meeting Palo Alto College president said the most important thing he can do is listen to students.

By Alison Graef

agraef@student.alamo.edu

Dr. Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College and the only chancellor finalist, shared his life story and his vision for the Alamo Colleges with about 60 faculty and staff at the chancellor’s town hall meeting Feb. 22 in the nursing complex.

Flores highlighted that not only did his wife attend community college, but also his father and two brothers attended this college, his niece is attending Palo Alto and Northwest Vista colleges and his mother was a first-generation, nontraditional student.

“All of my family is connected in some way either with an Alamo College or with community colleges,” Flores said. “My mother-inlaw — because I think this is what I think it’s all about — actually had a third-grade education and earned her food certification here at SAC.” Flores said people do not have equal opportunity to be socially mobile; rather, mobility is determined by the circumstances they are born into.

He said a high school diploma and college degree are key to higher social mobility, so he wants to further Alamo Colleges partnerships with high school districts and organizations like SA Works that help individuals attain higher education.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie, right, answers a financial question addressed by a staff member to Dr. Mike Flores, chancellor finalist and president of Palo Alto College, at the chancellors’s town hall meeting Feb. 22 in the nursing complex. Lorena Torres Romero “It’s about social mobility — it’s about improving the lives of our students and our community,” Flores said.

Flores, who was born in Del Rio, moved to San Antonio in 1983 after spending time in California and Colorado. After graduating from Holmes High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science at UTSA.

See FINALIST, Page 2

This college’s Student Government Association will look into the content protestors are allowed to display on campus.

Love of Truth Ministries held a “free speech” rally against abortion Feb. 19 in the mall. The ministry used signs showing aborted fetuses to educate students on the “evils and injustices of abortion.”

Meeting attendees took issue with the protest’s graphic material.

Liberal arts sophomore Sheyar Jiwani, who counter-protested the ministry’s gathering, said she had an issue with the signs and how they might affect children on campus.

“There were little children walking around campus with teachers who weren’t aware this was going on,” she said. “I had to send people twice to stop them from walking into that area.”

Criminal justice freshman Spencer Taylor said he thinks the ministry has the right to show graphic content, but he said the demonstration should be in an area with less student traffic.

SGA President Kayla Salwey said this wasn’t the first time SGA received complaints about the ministry but SGA is pro-freedom of speech, and there is no reason to keep the ministry from assembling.

Communications sophomore Nicholas Delunay took issue with the ministry’s graphic material.

“If we’re going to have that type of thing, why does it need to be explicit?” he said.

In an interview with The Ranger Feb. 23, Dr. Daryl Rodriguez, president of Love of Truth Ministries, said the posters are used to “educate people about what abortion is.”

“It’s a moral violation toward the law of God,” he said. “We should be honest about what it is.”

Rodriguez said while the organization’s protests do not target children, it is part of the effect of free speech.

When the ministry or other organizations want to protest at this college, they must get approval from the office of student life.

While SGA does not know how it would ask Rodriguez to censor his content, Rodriguez said he would resist any attempt at censorship.

“I wouldn’t agree to it,” Rodriguez said. “I believe it’s against my constitutional rights.”

Rodriguez said he’d seek legal counsel if he believes it is necessary.

During the anti-abortion rally, two counter-protestors, a man and a woman, vandalized several signs and splashed water on antiabortion protesters.

A video of the altercation was posted on the ministry’s Facebook page.

Rodriguez plans to pursue legal action against the man. He will not pursue legal action against the woman who splashed water on him because she agreed to apologize on video.

As of now, Rodriguez has not posted the woman’s apology.

For more information on Love of Truth Ministries, visit the group’s website loveoftruthministries.com, call Rodriguez at 210867-7268 or email him at daryl@loveoftruthministries.com.

Any student who would like to submit a formal complaint about the content of Love of Truth Ministries’ rally or any other organization’s should submit them to Room 101 of the nursing complex.

Eco Centro offers workshops, promotes sustainability March 7 workshop will teach home composting.

By Frank Piedra

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Since opening in the spring of 2014, Sinkin Eco Centro has served as a community outreach center with a mission of growing the understanding, development and practice of sustainability.

The center at 1802 N. Main Ave. is a LEEDcertified institute, which means it has met qualifications to operate as such through the use of building materials, Eco Centro Director Meredith Miller said in an interview Feb. 20.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a rating system used by the U.S. Green Building Council, which evaluates environmental performances of a building.

Eco Centro was awarded the SA Tomorrow Sustainability award for its education on sustainability in 2016.

The center offers public workshops available on topics such as gardening, healthy living and water conservation.

A home composting workshop is scheduled 6 p.m. March 7.

“In our gardening workshops, we will show you how to compost,” Miller said. “You can take our course on composting, learn how to create a butterfly garden and learn about water harvesting.

Those are some examples of what we do here.”

Composting is a natural process of recycling organic material into a nutrient-rich soil for growing.

“We also have special events coming up like a clothes swap. You can come in and bring in your

old clothing, hang out, have something to eat and meet new people, while shopping for new ones.”

Dates for these events have not been set.

The center also hosts a variety of art exhibits, such as the upcoming “Art of the Sacred Texas Springs,” a month-long exhibit that celebrates Texas’ natural water springs in New Braunfels, San Marcos, Austin, Wimberley and here.

The exhibit is March 23-April 22.

A volunteer-built community garden lies behind Eco Centro, a project that was made possible with the assistance of Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas through funding by the Bamberger Family Foundation.

“The garden behind us will be an urban working farm and free to the public. You simply sign up, and if you’re willing to volunteer some hours, you can come work and take produce,”

Miller said.

The center also hosts occasional “pay what you can” farmers’ markets.

“If you don’t have much money but want some tomatoes, you can take some for whatever you can afford to pay,” she said.

Farmers’ markets are not scheduled yet.

Eco Centro also has a presence on the campus with a greenhouse south of Chance Academic Center.

“We will be working on putting in a college community garden. Students can come in and harvest food,” Miller said.

Eco Centro will also help the rest of the campus follow green practices when new construction takes place, including facility renovations.

See WORKSHOPS, Page 2

2NEWS

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MARCH 05, 2018

Saturday at SAC attracts busy students Flex 2 classes begin March 19, after spring break.

By Maya Williams

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Enrollment in Saturday at SAC, a path to a degree for four majors, has almost doubled since the program began in the fall.

Vernell Walker, dean of professional and technical education, said 195 students enrolled as of Feb. 2 compared to 99 in the fall.

The classes associated with Saturday at SAC are not only for those enrolled in the program.

Students pursuing other degrees are allowed to take a Saturday class.

“The major challenge we have is getting information out to the student,” Walker said.

This program consists of taking classes on Saturday for two years and graduating with an associate degree.

This program is based on Flex-to-Flex classes, which means students take two classes each eight weeks and summer school for 10 weeks.

The classes are hybrid classes in which students go to classes on Saturday then complete and turn in assignments online.

Students have access to labs and the library despite being at school on Saturday.

Saturday at SAC offers four degree paths, Associate of Applied Science in computer programming, Associate of Arts for criminal justice and business administration majors, and an Associate of Arts in teaching added this spring.

More degrees will be offered, Walker said during an interview Feb. 1.

“We’ve just started with those and are just trying to find those (degrees) that are the most popular,” she said.

Education Coordinator Peggy Weesner teaches a Saturday EDUC 1301, Introduction to the Teaching Profession, course.

“This is the first time that we’ve offered this Saturday class, so we are very excited,” she said. “I wanted to see if this was going to be a successful program, and thus far, it’s been very successful.

“With this Saturday class, we are reaching the population that have commitments in the evening.”

She gave an example of one student who is a lead teacher at her school but lacks the certification.

“This gives her the opportunity within this hybrid Flex 1 class to be able to complete her 1301,” Weesner said.

Education freshman Lydia Cantu used to go to Northwest Vista College but switched to this college because of the Saturday classes, she said Feb. 17.

“I work in the cafeteria at SAISD here in San Antonio,” she said. “I was looking for afternoon classes or weekend classes. Of course, this is a good fit for me because I work during the week.”

As the program progresses, Cantu said she wished Saturday classes could start later. Her class meets 9-11:30 a.m.

“I stayed up until 3 o’clock in the morning doing homework,” she said. “I think if they had like a Saturday at noon or a Saturday at 2, that would work better for me.”

Education junior Sergio Sanchez received an associate degree from Northwest Vista College.

He is attending this college to fulfill requirements for teacher certification while working 60-80 hours a week, he said Feb. 17.

“I work at night, Sunday night to Friday morning,” Sanchez said. “So during the week is not going to happen. My only free time I use to come to school.

“I wish there were more (Saturday classes), a lot more because I was only able to take two classes on Saturday available that fit my major.”

While at Northwest Vista, Sanchez took 16-week courses.

He prefers the weekend classes over the 16-week classes because “most adults are ‘adulting’ and we can’t just drop everything and come on a Wednesday,” he said.

Education sophomore Alexeis Tillis, a single mom of one who works full time, chose to be a part of the Saturday at SAC program because she wanted to take an in-person class, she said Feb. 17.

Tillis has also taken classes at Northwest Vista.

She prefers taking Saturday classes opposed to a 16-week class because she likes “the faster pace,” she said.

Education Professor Peggy Weesner speaks to her students about transfer options provided by Texas A&M University Feb. 17 in McCreless. Weesner also discussed ways new technologies like iPads are being used in the classroom. Students who fall behind in class because of absences, such as during the flu outbreak, should have technology allowing them to access material and help them stay on track in class, she said. V. Finster “I like being able to be done and then the rest of the semester I can join any other class that I want,” Tillis said. “I can get more classes into one semester instead of having to take a full semester and be overloaded and overwhelmed.”

All three said they were grateful to be able to

FINALIST from Page 1 While at University of Texas at San Antonio, he was involved in student government and served as a student ambassador.

He worked full time in student affairs at Illinois State University while earning a master’s degree in political science.

During that time, he met and married his wife, Martha. They have been married for 20 years.

Flores said his wife is an inspiration to him. She was born in Chicago but grew up in Mexico and is a firstgeneration American.

He said his wife owes her success to the education she obtained from attending community college.

Missing Texas, he and his wife moved, and he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. in hybrid administration.

He said he and his wife built their lives in San Antonio and call it home.

He lives off South Flores Street and said he has surprised students when they run into him at the H-E-B at 1601 Nogalitos St. “They say ‘You’re from Palo Alto!’”

Flores said. “I say ‘I am.’ And they say, ‘What are you doing here?’ and I say ‘I live here.’

“So for me it’s been very important to live, work and worship in the same

Dr. Mike Flores, chancellor finalist and president of Palo Alto College, shares his background with employees at the chancellors’s town hall meeting Feb. 22 in the nursing complex. Lorena Torres Romero community that our students are in.”

In an interview with The Ranger after the meeting, Flores said his experience with faculty, staff and students at Palo Alto College gives him insight into what the colleges have to offer.

“There are a lot of things that we do well, that are established and promis-

ing practices, that can be scaled up to the system,” Flores said. “I want to be a part of that change, so I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to work in tandem with the presidents, with the vice chancellors, under the leadership of the board to move things forward.”

use the math lab and library on Saturday.

Registration for Saturday classes and other Flex 2 classes continues in departments through March 11.

For more information visit: www.alamo.edu/ sac/saturday/ or call 210-486-0920.

He said he wants to increase opportunities for students to work in their fields through peer advising, internships and participation in community nursing clinicals.

“What we need to look at is ‘how can we harness the talents of our students as they pursue their fields?’ so that they can get more training, they can be more marketable when they apply for positions and also so that we can serve the community and provide services,” Flores said.

Flores said the most important thing he can do as chancellor is honor the voice of students. He said it will be important to ask students what programs and services they want implemented or improved.

“It’s really asking students, respecting the voice of students and honoring their voice as a part of the process,” Flores said.

Flores said a strong foundation for growth includes implementation of initiatives that were added to the chancellor’s job description.

“I think we’re fortunate because we’ve actually had a direction that’s been established and set by the board, and we’ve had Dr. Leslie’s leadership over the past 10-plus years in which he’s laid a strong foundation with regard to how we operate.”

Leslie announced retirement at the Oct. 23 board meeting and will stay until Sept. 30 to help with the transition.

WORKSHOPS from Page 1 Last year, President Donald J. Trump announced environmental policies, such as pulling out of the Paris climate agreement and overturning water quality protections.

“While the president’s legislation hasn’t made much progress, it helps us prioritize what the previous administration didn’t have us worry about,” Miller said.

“We need to redouble our efforts to educate, raise money and have people voluntarily protecting our environment because if the federal government won’t mandate these things, we need to be the ones that make sure our communities are safe. It definitely becomes a social movement.”

The administration’s environmental policies could have an effect on funding, she said.

Funding comes from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities grant.

Eco Centro is equipped with technology such as rooftop solar-powered panels for energy conservation, an electric car charging station, rain water collection tanks, water-smart landscaping and a composting area.

These are vital in ensuring a greener footprint and raising awareness for alternative energy, Miller said.

For more information, call the center at 210-486-0417 or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EcoCentro1.

EDITORIAL3 www.theranger.org/EDITORIAL

march 05, 2018

Chancellor appointment opaque Alamo Colleges community should have a voice in the selection.

Amanda Graef

Don’t replace face-to-face instruction Obstructed views spark idea that takes instructors out of classrooms.

From a chalkboard to an interactive whiteboard to a lightboard — classroom technology keeps on advancing.

Advancement is crucial in keeping up with ever-evolving students.

But might these new innovations be going too far?

When a writing board is keeping instructors from being in the same room as students — while on the same campus at the same exact time? Possibly.

While the exact implementation for the new lightboard on campus remains in development, it seems the end goal is to have a two-way communication system installed in both the classroom and the lightboard’s studio, where the instructor would be during class.

Students would be watching their instructor on the classroom’s projector screen while the instructor is in the studio standing behind the 8-by-4 foot Starphire glass board. The instructor uses a fluorescent marker to write out

the lesson on the back of the lightboard without obstructing the view of the instructor or the written content.

It seems extreme to have the instructor and students in separate rooms for the objective of an unobstructed view.

In most situations, an instructor is typically in front of the board for seconds at any time. Are those seconds reason enough to install cameras and microphones in classrooms so that communication can occur in real-time?

The concept seems compelling, but it’s not worth losing the opportunity of faceto-face, student-instructor interaction.

Why drive to campus for something you can experience online?

It seems like the lightboard would have more of an impact for distance education in Canvas and Mediasite, where students would be able to revisit prerecorded lessons on-demand — with no obstruction.

Shift the focus to integrating the lightboard into online and hybrid classes.

Let us keep our instructors in the classroom — with us.

The Alamo Colleges website under Chancellor’s Welcome states that the page is intended “ ... to provide open and transparent communication.”

Unfortunately, the board of trustees has either confused transparency with secrecy in the search for a new chancellor or officials are being deceptive.

These officials are elected by district constituencies to work in the best interest of students. They love to talk about including the “shareholders” as if this collection of academic institutions was a corporation. If it were, trustees would be answering a lot more questions.

The board unanimously appointed Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College, sole chancellor finalist Feb. 8 to replace Dr. Bruce Leslie.

The board refused to disclose the number of applicants or the names of the finalists interviewed. For all we know, they might not have interviewed anyone. Who would know?

Considering his age, Flores could serve longer than Leslie’s 10-year tenure.

Has the process for selection reflected the gravity of the appointment? Hardly.

According to Texas law, the board is required to provide a 21-day evaluation period in which the public can submit feedback on the finalist.

But already, the finalist has fallen in line, deciding to stick with the board’s approach: “It’s none of your business.”

The night the board voted, Flores told The Ranger he wanted to get approval before speaking to the student newspaper. He didn’t need anyone’s approval but wanted to wait for it anyway.

What does that say about the kind of chancellor he will be?

Board Chair Yvonne Katz told The Ranger she and Leslie would secure approval the next day. What did they plan to do? Poll the trustees? That is patently illegal. So once again, officials dodged a chance at transparency in favor of operating out of public view.

Meet-and-greet events with the finalist within the 21–day period were cancelled in favor of chancellor town hall meetings over the next six months.

Town halls will be accessible to employees, excluding students and the public. Flores said students are welcome at the town hall meetings.

The chancellor oversees a $500 million budget and 60,000 students.

We don’t want a chancellor to act as a political puppet, waiting on the board to tell him what to say and when; nor do we want another “entrepreneur,” as Flores’ biography describes him, who is more interested in capital improvement projects and endless initiatives than resolving issues such as fair pay for adjuncts or equal pay for lab hours.

This community yearns for a chancellor who will put every student, faculty and staff member above his own political agenda and produce positive and progressive results.

The board of trustees left one way for individuals to make their voice known in this process — contact board liaison Sandra Mora at 210-485-0030 or smora@alamo.edu to find your district representative and how to contact them.

Apparently, contact information on publicly elected officials must be treated like a state secret as well.

Some transparency.

ONLINE NOW www.theranger.org

Coordinator wants students to get tutoring at SLAC lab

SGA uses student activity fee to fund conference trip

Fitness center open to students wanting to feel the burn

By Sergio Medina

By Shamona Wali

By Dillon Holloway

The academic coordinator of the student learning assistance center wants students to use that lab for tutoring before Brainfuse Online Tutoring.

The officers of this college’s Student Government Association plan to attend the 2018 Texas Junior Colleges of Student Government Association State Conference April 5 in Austin.

TJCSGA is a student-led organization that promotes community colleges at a local, regional, state and national level by hosting events such as the annual conference.

Since 2001, TJCSGA has hosted annual conferences for community colleges in hopes of creating connections and awarding those who have excelled as SGA members.

Students may workout at no cost 11 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday in Room 109 of Candler Physical Education Center, kinesiology Coordinator Brad Dudney said Feb. 27 in an interview.

The center had a soft opening at the beginning of the spring semester.

Originally, the opening was scheduled Sept. 18-21, following a move from the first floor of Loftin Student Center to Room 109 of Candler in a space once occupied by racquetball courts.

Speech team wins two firsts at contest

By Katya Harmel Liberal arts sophomore Katherine Holloway brought home first place in informative speech and persuasive speech at the Phi Rho Pi competition Feb. 9-11 at Tyler Junior College.

STAFF Editor Alison Graef Managing Editor Kimberly Caballero News Editor Shamona Wali Sports Editor Dillon Holloway Calendar Editor Sasha D. Robinson Staff Writers Alfred Allen, Kathya Anguiano, Blanca Granados, Katya Harmel, Thomas Macias, Sergio Medina, Andrea Moreno, Sarah F. Morgan, Frank Piedra, Jeff Riley, Alexis Terrazas, Kenneth L. Williams, Maya R. Williams, Victoria L. Zamora

Visuals Editor V. Finster

Kinesiology sophomores Jenovia Reeves and Chrystal Guitierrez train in this college’s new student fitness center March 1 in Candler. V. Finster

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4FEATURES www.theranger.org/premiere

MARCH 05, 2018

Student drag queen runner-up for Miss February Student finds confidence from the supportive environment of this college.

“It makes me feel very, very alive.”

By Austin P. Taylor

ataylor160@student.alamo.edu

Music freshman Alexis Xtina Fierce competed for the Miss February spot in the weekly talent night Feb. 27 at Pegasus Bar across North Main Avenue from this college.

Pegasus holds open talent nights the first three Tuesdays of each month. On the final Tuesday of each month, the winners of the open shows compete for the monthly title.

The monthly winners can compete in the annual pageant March 27.

Fierce competed and won the Feb. 20 talent night, winning a cash prize of $100.

During the Feb. 27 talent night, Fierce competed against Pegasus newcomer Charlie London, who recently moved to San Antonio from Houston.

London lip-synced to Katy Perry’s “Peacock.”

Fierce was the third contestant to take the stage. She lip-synced to Keke Palmer’s “Love You & Hate You.” After the contestants performed, the crowd of 73 voted in the new Miss February.

Fierce took second place.

Fierce said she will compete in the March 6 talent night, with the hopes of winning the Miss March position to compete in the annual pageant.

In an interview with the Ranger Feb. 21, Fierce said she came to San Antonio from Peoria, Ill. She was raised in a low-income family and attended Eisenhower High School in Decatur, Ill. She said she came to San Antonio from Peoria to find better job opportunities.

Fierce started performing drag at the age of 17.

“I always wanted to be female, from age 17 on

Alexis Xtina Fierce music freshman

Music freshman Alexis Xtina Fierce lip-syncs “Love You, Hate You” by Keke Palmer Feb. 27 at Pegasus for Drag Queen of the Month of February. Fierce, who came in second place, said she was invited to return March 6 to compete against February’s winner, Kendall. Sasha D. Robinson up,” she said. “My sister told me, when I was little, I used to dress in her high heels, and clothes, and walk around the house and perform.”

Fierce said performing drag makes her feel empowered. Some of her favorite artists to lipsync to are Cher, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez.

Fierce said the prep-time needed for a performance can range from hours to days or even weeks, depending on the physicality of the performance.

“It makes me feel very, very alive,” she said.

“Back in high school, I was on the booster squad. I was on the cheerleading squad. I helped out with prom and homecoming, but I’ve never been to

prom or homecoming.”

Fierce said her family and friends have provided very good support for her.

“I have friends here at SAC who are very supportive.”

Having the opportunity to perform for a monthly spot bolstered her confidence.

“I actually am very proud of myself. I’ve never won anything a day in my life, and last night was incredible.”

Fierce said she plans to begin estrogen therapy for transition surgery within the coming weeks.

She started the blood-work testing for her treatments Feb. 23.

She said working up to this point in her transition has been difficult.

“I went one time, to the Planned Parenthood last week, and it was $76 for my blood-work testing, and I couldn’t afford it then,” she said.

Fierce said this college’s LGBTQ-friendly environment gave her the confidence she needed to perform at Pegasus.

“I am SAC proud,” she said.

Fierce wants to make a YouTube documentary on the prep work for a drag performance. The tentative title is “Life of A Drag Queen.”

She also wants to publish makeup tutorials online.

Alcohol awareness event March 7 Counselors plans to offer new support groups this semester.

By Brianna Rodrigue sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Nursing sophomore Edwin Velazquez jumps over criminal justice freshman Daniel Rodriguez Feb. 26 west of chemistry and geology. Velazquez and Rodriguez are members of the Parkour Club. Velazquez said they meet 1-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the tennis courts. Anyone can join. Brianna Rodrigue

Before heading to the beach with an ice chest filled with alcoholic beverages for spring break, students can attend an alcohol awareness event 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 7 in the mall west of Moody Learning Center and in Candler Physical Education Center.

Students can talk to campus organizations, counselors and the San Antonio Police Department, while experiencing what it is like to be drunk with alcohol impairment goggles.

Counselor David Rodriguez said this is the second year counseling is promoting an alcohol awareness event at this college. The counseling office partnered with Texans Standing Tall, a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness in the state.

“One of the things we are doing at the event is providing an assessment for students to see what is their current awareness use,” Rodriguez said.

“There will be people on hand to help them if it is a problem.”

Students will be able to sit down and talk with the staff members if they have any questions or issues.

“They are there to help,” Rodriguez said.

“The purpose is to promote awareness before students leave for spring break and (for them) to be aware and responsible,” he said.

Rodriguez has been a counselor for 20 years, 15 years at this college.

He runs a poetry group that meets at 2 p.m. every Monday Room 323 in

Business sophomore Caleb James maneuvers through an obstacle course at last year’s alcohol awareness event. “Drivers” wear goggles that simulate the vision of someone whose blood alcohol content is twice the legal limit. File Chance Academic Center.

The counseling office palns to provide support groups this semester, including stress management, non-traditional male students, LGBT, veterans and DACA groups.

“We just need to work on the logistics and location,” Rodriguez said.

“One thing we see students face the most is stress management,” he said. “Sometimes we can help, but we will give you tools how to manage with (stress) and how to get resources to help you.”

Students can also talk to counselors about school, work, anxiety, depression, relationships and more.

The counseling office is available and free for all students. The office accepts walk-ins or students can schedule an appointment in Room 323 of Chance or call 210-4861620. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday.

When students schedule their first appointment, arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork.

• In 2015, 10,265 people died in alchoholimpaired driving crashes. This accounted for 29 percent of all traffic related deaths in the U.S. • 32.6 million people in the U.S. suffer from alcohol disorders.

• 80,000 people in the U.S. die from alcoholrelated causes each year.

Sources: www.sacada.org/ substance-use/ • www.cdc.gov/ motorvehiclesafety/impaired_ driving/impaired-drv_factsheet. html For more information about the counseling office, visit the office or www.alamo.edu/sac/pc/.