The RangeR
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Vol. 84, Issue 18
Single copies free
March 12, 2010
zoo New to the
FOUR-DAY SUMMER WEEKS? 5 WOULD YOU STEAL? 7 FREE FOOD 16
The Ranger
2 • March 12, 2010
Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu District 1: Dr. Bernard Weiner 929 Manor Drive, Ste. 7, San Antonio, TX 78228 Work: 735-9151 E-mail: bweinermd@satx.rr.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com
The Ranger Editor Laura Garcia Managing Editor Zahra Farah News Editor Vanessa M. Sanchez Calendar Editor Riley Stephens
District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu
Photographers Tyler K. Cleveland, Rennie Murrell, Alison Wadley
District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu
Photo Team Scott Aranda, Scott J. Bajeck, Jennifer Charo, Sarah Janes, James Lazo, Marisa N. Montano, Julysa Sosa, Robert Stofa
District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251 E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way, Helotes, TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 755 E. Mulberry, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78212 Phone: 244-8879 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu
Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Staff Writers Ximena Victoria Alvarez, Jacob Beltran, Michelle E. Gaitan, Joshua Sanchez Guerrero, Steffany Gutierrez, John P. Kline, Alexandria Maxwell, Melody Mendoza, Celeste J. Nentwig, Victoria G. Ortiz, Amanda M. Rios, Brandy A. Santos, Michelle L. Tymrak, Reagan White Production Manager Jason B. Hogan Web Editor D.A. James Circulation Stephanie Rodriguez
Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu
©2010 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, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations. News contributions accepted by telephone (486-1773), by fax (486-1789), by e-mail (sacranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (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, the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Associated Press.
Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu or faxed to 486-1789. Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s printed name, classification, major, Social Security number or college ID number and telephone number. For more information, call 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.
The Ranger • Vol. 84 • Issue 18
March 12, 2010 • 3
The RangeR
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
2 Policies and officials 4 Blotter
5 News Academic Council discusses four-day summer week By Zahra Farah Photo by Alison Wadley
6 People
17 Cafeteria scores a C By Riley Stephens
21 College plans trial Banner registration
People slideshow
By Zahra Farah
Complete Blotter
Financial aid offers FAFSA help By Melody Mendoza
7 To steal or not?
22 Women, men not so different
Story and photo by Rennie Murrell
By Michelle Gaitan
8 Business majors
23 Women’s march
By Ximena Victoria Alvarez
Story and photo by Brandy A. Santos
UTSA connections
Pregnancy rituals
By Amanda M. Rios
By Joshua Sanchez Guerrero Photo by Tyler K. Cleveland
9 College to charge for printing By Riley Stephens Photo by Alison Wadley
10 Student input needed By Laura Garcia
Online @ theranger.org
Library provides free e-book access GALA to protest church picket KSYM exceeds drive goal by a grand MESA encourages transfer agreement with Texas State
12 Premiere
Club brings Japanese Valentine’s Day By Reagan White
Luminaria By Ximena Victoria Alvarez
11 Board election to have two contested races
14 Calendar
By Laura Garcia
Trustees fly to Washington, D.C. By Laura Garcia
15 Mendiola filling in for vice president
18 Editorials
Cartoon Don’t sunset Ranger Cut administrators Decide summer now Letters
By Zahra Farah
16 Feeding souls By Steffany Gutierrez
24 View of zoo’s new Africa exhibit By Alexandria Maxwell Photos by Rennie Murrell
www.theranger.org
Go to www.theranger.org for news and information.
Blotter
4 • March 12, 2010 SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE Feb. 28 – An officer reported a classroom door unable to secure. Incident reported as a crimeprevention measure. March 1– An individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized. No suspects. An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. An individual reported found property. Property placed in property locker. March 2 – An individual reported her personal cell phone had been stolen. No suspects. An individual reported he misplaced his wallet.
a student having a seizure. Campus nurse treated student.
March 4 – An individual requested information regarding a civil issue.
An individual reported a personal phone being stolen. No suspects.
An officer assisted in locating a student. Student found.
March 5 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.
An individual reported criminal mischief in Lot 6. No suspects located.
NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE
March 6 – An individual reported finding classrooms unlocked. All found to be OK.
An individual reported burglary of a vehicle. No suspects located. An individual reported theft of a backpack. No suspects located. An individual reported a suspicious person. No suspects located. March 2 – An individual requested an officer for a theft report. Male departed area before officer’s arrival. March 3 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area. All found to be OK. An individual reported an offcampus incident. SAPD advised.
An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.
An individual reported a male not feeling well.
An individual reported her husband following her around campus. Husband departed area.
An individual reported a vehicle parked in a manner which blocked her vehicle.
PALO ALTO COLLEGE
An individual reported personal property missing from office.
Feb. 26 – An individual reported found property. Property placed in property locker. March 1 – An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle. An individual reported found property. Property placed in property locker. An individual reported a suspicious person. No suspects located.
March 4 – An officer responded to an activated alarm. All found to be OK. March 5 – An individual reported a disruptive student. Student departed before officer’s arrival. An individual reported suspicious person. No suspects located. March 6 – An officer reported damage to district property.
Feb. 27 – An individual reported lost personal property. No further incident. March 1 – An individual reported a male and a female arguing in the parking lot. An individual reported damage to his personal vehicle. An individual reported students being loud in the student center. An individual reported found property. Property was picked up by owner. March 3 – An individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized. No suspects. An individual reported a male speaking loudly. Male contacted and departed without further incident. An individual reported feeling ill. EMS treated individual. An individual reported items in an office being moved around. An individual reported feeling ill. EMS treated individual. March 4 ¬ An individual reported theft of personal property. No suspects located.
March 2 – An individual requested EMS for back and chest pain. EMS treated individual.
SOUTHWEST CAMPUS
An individual reported people smoking in the area. No one located.
ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE
March 2 – An individual reported a district laptop missing from her office. No suspects.
March 5 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.
March 1 – An individual reported
The Ranger
NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE March 2 – An individual reported found property. Property placed in property locker. An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. March 3 – An individual reported a male having a seizure. EMS treated male. March 4 – An individual reported two suspicious males. Males not located. March 5 – An individual reported found property. Property placed in property locker. An individual reported a male smoking on campus. An individual reported an offcampus incident. Bexar County Sheriff’s Office advised. An officer reported a power outage in the academic and library building. March 6 – An individual reported burglary of a vehicle in Lot 5.
CONTACT INFO Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 5
Academic Council discusses four-day summer week Alison Wadley
By Zahra Farah Commitments to weekend activities and buildings linked to the same air conditioning system make college officials question whether operating on a four-day summer workweek would actually save money, President Robert Zeigler said at Tuesday’s Academic Council meeting. The possibility of a four-day workweek from July 7-July 30 is being considered after the chancellor asked the colleges to recommend costcutting measures to comply with the governor’s request to make a plan to cut back 5 percent of state funding. Zeigler said a last resort would be canceling the Summer 2 session. In a four-day workweek, employees would work 10 hours a day and the campus would be closed on Friday and over the weekend. If this college has to cut 5 percent of state funding, it means a loss of $1 million. If all colleges in the district switch to a four-day workweek, it is estimated the district will cut back $500,000 from utilities expenses, Zeigler explained. Zeigler said this college hosts special events on the weekend and would have to accommodate the groups renting facilities, such as the gyms in Candler Physical Education Center and the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. If air conditioning in specific buildings is left on for special events, the issue is if this college would really reduce utility bills, he said. In a Wednesday afternoon interview, Zeigler said administrators still have to figure out how they would handle continuing education and other programs, that go on through the weekend even with a four-day workweek. “We have to figure out how we are going to accommodate things that we have already made commitments to,” Zeigler said, concerning groups which have already booked the gym and auditorium on the weekend. Zeigler said to council members that the college cannot just shut down one building because a lot of buildings are tied together under one system. The only buildings that have their own AC system are Longwith Radio, Television and Film building; the early childhood studies center; Oppenheimer Education and Training Center; and the Bennett Estate, which houses the music department; and portables. Council members voiced concerns over the obstacles a four-day workweek would entail for equipment, faculty and staff. Media services Chair Barbara Knotts brought up the issue of equipment overheating.
Dr. David Wood introduce’s a proposal for performance competency during Academic Council Tuesday. In a Wednesday afternoon interview, Knotts said her department houses InTV, the educational channel for the city of San Antonio. The equipment would overheat if air conditioning is turned off in the summer, she told the council. “When they cut the AC, we are going to have to put fans around equipment to keep them cool,” she said. Knotts said even when the AC is turned on, fans cool the equipment. Library Chair Candace Peterson said if air conditioning is turned off in the library it could possibly damage the Morrison collection of rare books of 18th century English literature. The classic archives has its own AC installation system, so it would not be affected if the library’s air conditioning is turned off, but Peterson’s concern is if fluctuating temperature would cause damage or mold. The library also leaves the lights on to reduce chances of mold. “Mold is always there. I don’t want to put them in a situation where mold would grow,” she said in a Wednesday interview. In a Wednesday phone interview, John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, said general electricity is never turned off. Another major concern is limited library hours for students. If the transmitter for college radio station KSYM, located in Room 216 of McAllister, gets overheated, it could be damaged, broadcast engineer Victor Pfau said in a Wednesday interview. He said that in May 2009, the transmitter overheated and some parts were damaged. “Without AC, things will heat up and breakdown,” Pfau said. Since then they have put in vents to take out hot air, but Pfau said if the transmitter has more than 24 hours of no AC, it will overheat. Strybos said lights, computers and the computer hard drive should be turned off or shut down. Rooms for servers maintained by the district, however, are separately air conditioned. “We’re evaluating all colleges on what they
can and cannot do,” Strybos said. Zeigler said Wednesday that a report on which buildings could be shut down and which buildings would have to operate on the weekends is due today to Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration. Snyder then will calculate the possible utilities savings for each college. “If we are going to a four-day week, we need to decide quickly,” Zeigler said. At this point, Zeigler does not know if some colleges will be exempt from four-day workweeks. Initially, the intent was to see how people were going to deal with a four-day workweek. “I really don’t know if there will be a choice element or not,” he said. Faculty and staff should know by the week of March 22 if the college will move to a four-day workweek, he said. In the summer of 2003, Palo Alto College piloted a four-day workweek. Their work hours are from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and college hours of operation will be from 8 a.m.7 p.m. Employees work 10 hours in a day and 40-hour weeks. In an e-mail, Vincent Bosquez, director of public relations at Palo Alto, wrote as “we have done in the past, we will continue with schedule flexibility particularly for those who have family responsibilities.” In the fall of 2007, Palo Alto employees were surveyed about the four-day workweek by Catherine Chapa, director of institutional effectiveness and research. Eighty percent of faculty participated and results showed 63 percent liked the four-day workweek and 68 percent recommended its implementations again in summer of 2008. The survey is available at http://www. alamo.edu/pac/htm/new/community/publicaffairs/pdfs/Four_Day_Work_Week_2007_Results. pdf. “The unfortunate thing in situations like these is there’s nothing good, but finding the least bad,” Zeigler said at Academic Council.
6 • March 12, 2010
People
The Ranger Rennie Murrell
Rennie Murrell
Sex safety: Danielle Rominski of the Rape Crisis Center speaks to students, faculty and staff Wednesday in the craft room of Loftin about the perils of sexually transmitted diseases. Rennie Murrell
Pressure practice: Melissa Rodriguez, dental assisting sophomore, checks the blood pressure of Joel MuĂąoz, American Sign Language and psychology sophomore, Tuesday in Loftin. Lucky Number:
Cesar Ramirez, homeland security freshman, takes a chance at the craps table Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin as C.J. Alexander, criminal justice freshman, observes.
James Lazo
Work your plan: Marisa N. Montano
Stressors: Hypnotherapist Dr. Irv Loev speaks about stress relief and test anxiety at a Bexar County Court Reporters Association meeting Monday in visual arts.
Gayl M. Newton, consultant and life coach specializing in success and motivation coaching, lectures in visual arts on the influence pioneer women have in inspiring modern women.
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 7
A female student picks up one of two wallets stolen in Psychology Club experiment in human behavior. This wallet was left in a pink chalk circle March 5 west of Moody.
Students tempted to steal during Psych Club experiment Club president says people show worst behavior when they don’t know they are observed. Story and photo by rennie Murrell
I
n the blink of an eye, a black wallet was missing from a neon-pink chalk circle drawn on the ground March 5 in the mall. Anna Montemayor and Rebecca Ross, psychology sophomores and members of the Psychology Club, were conducting an experiment in social behavior using the wallet with a ticket inside advising finders to please return the wallet to the Psychology Club booth for a free Frito pie. The club sold Frito pies as a fundraiser at a booth about 30 feet from the chalk circle. The experiment started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m., and during that time, people
walked around, over and on the wallet. Tammy Kothe-Ramsey, president of the club and psychology sophomore, said, “One person had taken the wallet and replaced it with some flowers.” Ross said, “We wanted to see how many people would pick up the wallet, knowing that it was intentionally placed there.” About 15 students picked up the wallet, and of those 15, three students returned the wallet and claimed the reward, she said. A black wallet eventually was stolen and replaced with a brown wallet, which met the same fate as the black wallet. It, too, was stolen, she said. Ross said most people who were confronted and asked why they had picked up the wallet responded with, “I had lost my wallet before and was going to turn it in to the lost and found.”
Architecture sophomore José Castro said people are unpredictable. Jacob Wong, psychology freshman, said, “Add unusual circumstances and expect unusual results,” concluding, “Had the circle not been there, we would not have seen the results we saw.” Since the wallets were placed inside a pink chalk circle, people were hesitant to pick them up, but if people do not realize they are being watched, it sometimes brings out the worst in them, Montemayor said. A maintenance worker stopped at the location but wouldn’t touch the wallet and waited for district police to arrive, Ross said. People seem to be more suspicious when they know they are being watched, Ross said. The Psychology Club meets at 2 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 606 of Moody. For information, call 486-1258.
The Ranger
8 • March 12, 2010
Business meets needs of majors, students By Ximena Victoria alVarez The student learning assistance center, Bailey’s Cyber Café and the English lab are not the only places on campus for students to complete papers and projects. The college has more than 20 labs where students have access to computers, software, printers and the Internet. The business department is among many disciplines that offer computer labs expressly for its students. The business computer lab in Room 305 of the academic instruction center is available for students enrolled in BCIS 1305, Business Computer Applications; ACCT 2301, Financial Accounting;
and ACCT 2302, Managerial Accounting. It is also available for make-up testing. The business computer lab first opened in 2002 in Moody Learning Center when the business department was housed there, but equipment and student hours were limited. Today the lab is equipped with 35 computers, the latest technology and Microsoft Office business computer systems. Lab techs are available for assistance. The business computer lab is open 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday– Thursday and 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Friday. For more information, call multimedia specialist Geraldo Guerra at 486-0196.
UTSA Connections open By amanda rios
are willing to help students transferring to other universities. A new program at the transfer “This is a personalized partnercenter is Transfer Connections, a ship program,” Contreras-Sanson collaboration of counselors from said Wednesday. “We help stuthis college and the University of dents and give academic advice.” Texas-San Antonio to help stuMany students, especially dents transferring to those who are the first UTSA and other fourgeneration in their year colleges. family to attend colThe program is lege, can be confused designed to help stuby the college process, dents at this college she said. “We are here with applications, to offer the help that www.theranger.org admissions and advisSAC students need.” Go online for a transfer ing. An adviser also will agreement for science, enThe UTSA staff gineering and math majors. help with scholarship meets with students on eligibility, tours of UTSA and cola walk-in basis 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. lege-readiness workshops. Monday and Thursday. Students Although Connections primaralso may make appointments for ily helps students transferring to other weekdays. UTSA, Vanessa Contreras-Sanson, For more information, visit the UTSA program coordinator, and UTSA office in Room 107 of Moody adviser Rosalinda Garza said they Learning Center or call 486-0337.
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 9 Alison Wadley
English sophomore Karem Cavit inserts his print card into a GoPrint card dispenser to print a homework assignment Jan. 25 in the SLAC lab.
College to charge students for printing By Riley StephenS A new GoPrint system that charges for student printing will be installed on campus in late April or early May. Students will be charged for the amount of paper they use for printing at eight labs. The labs no longer will allow students to print for free. “The administration invested in eight GoPrint systems to be placed in the writing lab, the Loftin Cyber Cafe, the math lab, the allied health labs, the business labs and the Internet skills center lab, and two in the English lab,” Usha Venkat, director of information and communication technologies, said March 3. There already is an older model of the GoPrint system in the student learning assistance center on the seventh floor of Moody. A new GoPrint system will replace the one there now. “The GoPrint system has been in the SLAC lab since 2005; it will get an upgraded version,” Brenda Briseño, director of sales at GoPrint
Systems Inc., said Monday. “The cost for printing will most likely be 10 cents for black and white and 15 cents for color,” Venkat said. “It’s pretty much the standard pricing scheme that the other colleges are doing.” The cost for printing will be the same at each lab. “Money from the machines will go to pay for the maintenance and the toner,” Venkat said. Students who want to print on campus will need to purchase a print card at one of three locations: Loftin Student Center, Moody Learning Center and the nursing and allied health complex. Students will take a print card to a kiosk machine in the designated labs. An administrative fee of 50 cents is charged for each new card; students may add funds to the print cards as needed. Students will be able to use print cards not only at this college but also at all of the Alamo Colleges, Venkat said.
Briseño said the GoPrint system “is pretty much a flawless system. It doesn’t need to be monitored.” “College administrators have the authority to restrict access to wireless printing,” Briseño said. Venkat said the change was made to save money. “The reason for doing it now is because … this is a time of budget cuts … this is a time where districtwide recommendations are to be more cost-effective,” Venkat said. “This is a way to control the amount of printing that is taking place.” Briseño said the company expects to begin installing the new machines in early April. “In the SLAC lab, they charged me 50 cents for a card out of $1, and I was only left with 50 cents to print with,” international studies sophomore Sarah Pichardo said Wednesday. “I’m mad because it’s like every semester, they want to see how much more money they can take from us,” Pichardo said.
The Ranger
10 • March 12, 2010
Student input needed for national survey By Laura Garcia The president is pushing participation in a survey to determine how students feel about this college. The online survey has been active since Feb. 15 and is available only to 1,894 randomly selected students. Of those students, only 8 percent have participated. In 2008, the college offered the national survey, called Noel-Levitz student satisfaction inventory, but it was a paper and pencil survey and took up classroom time. This year, the college tried an online version through a secure Web site and required students to log on with a password. The college pays 25 cents per invitation, for a total of $473.50, whether they respond or not, and will cost more per response. The last day to participate is March 22. Sonia V. Valdez, coordinator of measurement and evaluation in the institutional effectiveness office, said the college budgeted for this
survey because the administration thinks it’s important. Once the survey is complete, people will be able to compare the college’s results with those of other colleges that participated. The survey yielded only 1 percent participation in its first two weeks. At that point, Valdez said, “We knew it was a total fiasco.” Part of the problem is that so many students don’t check their PALS e-mail account, she said. The survey includes online students and those who are enrolled in San Antonio College courses at Northeast Lakeview College. Valdez then sent a notice to the selected students’ personal e-mails and the participation was at about 3 percent to 4 percent. As another way to gauge interest in the survey, she said President Robert Zeigler sent out voice messages to the selected students’ phones. Participation went up to 6 percent. Valdez said she called Noel-Levitz and they told her that to have a valid survey, the college
would need a minimum of 15 percent participation. The student life office was asked to post fliers letting students know they should check their PALS accounts to see if they were chosen. Zeigler also mentioned the Noel-Levitz survey on KSYM’s morning talk show, The Sauce, to promote awareness. The college’s Web page also features an announcement requesting that students check their e-mail. Valdez urged students who were selected to participate because it will give them an opportunity to improve the college. “Students are the focal point of everything we do here. Without feedback, how can we better the college?” she said. The survey is designed to take 10-15 minutes and includes questions on parking, registration, convenient class times and library resources. Students can input how important those services are to them and their current level of satisfaction with how the college is handling them.
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 11
Only two contested races for board seats By Laura Garcia
opposing single accreditation, citing specific examples of how grant money could be lost in Ten candidates filed for four seats on the the process. Alamo Community College District board of Tyler Christopher Ingraham, former student trustees by the deadline Monday. at this college, is vying for the same spot and Four candidates will compete for the open has been vocal at the recent board meetings District 1 seat for which trustee Bernard Weiner opposing current district administration and chose not to seek re-elecboard practices. Ingraham tion. is a political science junior SGA hosts a district trustee Three candidates at St. Mary’s University. candidate debate at filed to challenge recently Former San Antonio City 7 p.m. April 28 in appointed Blakely Latham Councilman Joe V. Alderete McAllister Fine Arts Center Fernandez for the District Jr. also is seeking the District 7 spot. 1 position. Incumbents Denver McClendon in District District 7 trustee, Fernandez, a local attor2, who chairs the board, and District 3 trustee ney, has some competition for the two-year Anna Bustamante are unopposed in the May 8 remainder of an unexpired term. election. She was appointed to the position in Candidate Rowland Martin, a former November when former trustee Charles Conner adjunct faculty member at this college, joined retired and moved out of the city. the District 1 race Monday. Richard Knight, Ingraham’s campaign treaMartin lists his occupation as educator and surer; David A. Whitley, general manager of entrepreneur on his application. San Antonio Air Conditioning; and David Allen Retired Vice President Thomas Hoy, who Rodriguez, political science sophomore at this worked at this college from 1973-2005, is also college; turned in applications for the District seeking the District 1 seat. 7 spot Monday. Hoy spoke during the Jan. 12 public forum Bustamante, incumbent for District 3, is
an elementary school music teacher in the Southside Independent School District. McClendon, who represents District 1, is a retired civil service employee and served in the U.S. Air Force. Trustee positions for District 1, 2 and 3 are for six-year terms while District 7 is for the unexpired 2-year term. Early voting is from April 26-May 4 with voting locations to be determined. A run-off election, if necessary, will be June 12. To find out what district you are in, check the Bexar County Elections Web site at http://apps. bexar.org/webapps/html/elstrinq02.asp. Voters must be 18 at the time of the election and have registered by April 8. Student Government Association at this college is planning a candidate debate at 7 p.m. April 28 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The district’s Web site for trustee elections is at www.alamo.edu/district/board/election/ default.htm. For questions, contact election administrator Erik Dahler at 485-0050 or e-mail him at edahler@alamo.edu.
Two fly to Washington trustee conference District committee meetings are rescheduled during spring break. By Laura Garcia Two trustees flew to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for the National Legislative Summit of the Association of Community College Trustees, which prompted a postponement of the March 9 committee meetings. The committee meetings have been rescheduled during spring break on March 16. The monthly regular board meeting is rescheduled for 6 p.m. March 23. The Alamo Community College District board meetings have been postponed a week every month this year for various reasons. District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate, chairman of the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee, and District 8 trustee Gary Beitzel, a member of that committee, will be at the Washington meeting through today.
A screenshot of the ACCT Web site on March 10. Beitzel left on March 9, while Zarate left on Wednesday with both returning today. On Thursday, the trustees were scheduled to meet with U.S. Reps. Lamar Smith, Charlie Gonzalez and Ciro Rodriguez. Dr. Gene Sprague, District 6 trustee, said the conference was supposed to be scheduled for early February, but a massive snowstorm on the
East Coast caused it to be rescheduled. The blizzard caused the nation’s capital to shut down the federal government for three days. The association is a nonprofit educational organization of governing boards with a membership of more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees. Nationwide, these trustees govern more than 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges and impact more than 11 million students each year. The Audit, Budget and Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen Center at 201 W. Sheridan St. The Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. or upon adjournment of the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee meeting. The regular monthly meeting for March will be at 6 p.m. March 23 at Killen Center. Citizensto-be-heard signup is at 5 p.m. For agenda, log on to www.alamo.edu.
Prem
12 • The Ranger
Club to bring in Japanese Valentine’s Day experience “Homemade gifts are for love; store bought is just for everyone.”
By Reagan White Members of the Japanese Club will celebrate White Day March 25 on the mall. White Day is a Japanese holiday celebrated one month after Valentine’s Day. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently than in the United States. “On Valentine’s Day, girls give chocolates to boys. The following month is White Day; boys give girls gifts back,” international studies sophomore Sarah Pichardo, club vice president, said. In Japan, Valentine’s Day and White Day gifts are selected based on how much affection one person feels toward another. Men and women have the option of giving a courtesy gift if they do not have romantic feelings for a person. “Homemade gifts are for love; store bought is just for everyone,” education sophomore Robert Vidal, club president, said. Vidal encourages students to celebrate White Day Japanese-style. “A popular date is karaoke,” he said, “and drinking sake. It’s not considered taboo to be like, ‘Let’s go out drinking on the first
Sunshine International Aquarium staff Hitomi Ito feeds a heart-shaped squid fillet to a pitted stingray in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 30 date.’” Vidal said Japanese romance is less demonstrative than the U.S. variety. “In Japan, they are very conservative. Holding hands is for serious dating, and kissing is considered fairly obscene in
public,” he said. Club members will be on the mall from 10 a. to 4 p.m. passing out fliers and serving Japane foods, such as yakisoba, rice balls and gre tea. They also will be offering sweeter things f
KSYM broadcasts live from Luminaria tomorrow By Ximena VictoRia alVaRez For the second time, the college radio station KSYM 90.1 FM will be participating and sharing a stage at Luminaria with KSTX Texas Public Radio 89.1 FM and Trinity University’s KRTU 91.1 FM. KSYM will be broadcasting live starting at 7 p.m. Saturday at Stage 2 on the east side of Alamo Street next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. KSYM will be presenting local bands such as The Heroine, Mojoe, ASTEX, and Mitch Webb and the Swindles. Luminaria is San Antonio’s annual celebra-
tion of art and artists along Alamo Street between Market Street and Durango Street. Luminaria, scheduled for 6 p.m. to midnight, is free to the public. Musical performances, dance from ballet to tango, Korean to Indian, spoken word and poetry, Shakespeare, author readings and film will fill eight stages from inside the convention center across to Maverick Plaza and back to HemisFair Plaza. Entertainment also includes illuminated buildings and a variety of artist booths. In 2009, 185,000 people attended the festival. Among performers affiliated with this college
and its sister colleges are this college’s English Professor Sharon Argo, Northwest Vista’s F-Pack theater troupe and the Palo Alto Ballet Folklorico. Other participants include the Magik Theater, Renaissance Guild, Urban 15, Guadalupe Teen Arts Puentes Project and the San Pedro Playhouse Broadway Headliners. A series of short films will screen in the Frida Kahlo Gallery of the Instituto Cultural de Mexico in HemisFair Plaza. For more information on Stage 2, call KSYM at 486-1371 or log into www.luminariasa.org for more information on the schedule for each stage and a map of the grounds.
miere
March 12, 2010 • 13 Photos from Multimedia/AccuNet
Meet the KSYM DJs
Top: Chiho Ogihara, a 22-year-old shopper, ties her love message to her sweetheart to a Valentine’s Love Tree at a department store in Yokohama, Tokyo.
as part of a seasonal event for Valentine’s Day.
.m. ese een for
the romantic occasion, such as cupcakes and romance rolls. “Romance rolls are like a sushi roll, but instead of fish and vegetables, it has banana and strawberry,” Vidal said.
A young girl has a little taste of a cookie attached to a Volkswagen Beetle coated with white chocolate flavored with strawberry as it was created by popular chefs and on display at Harumi Triton shopping complex in Tokyo in advance of Valentine’s Day.
Charles Cima
San Antonio College English Professor Sharon Argo, Northwest Vista’s F-Pack theater troupe and the Palo Alto Ballet Folklorico are among performers this year.
What is your DJ and real name? Robert Medina Jr., AKA “r2.” What’s your show and when does it air? The “Party” airs from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday nights. What kind of music is on your show? All forms of electronic music from around the world. From acid jazz to electro, anything goes when you’re partying with r2! What is the funniest thing that has happened while on air? I was reading the weather and I accidently passed gas. I don’t know if anyone heard that. What got you interested in radio? I’ve always hated what I heard on the major radio stations and Robert Medina Jr. figured I could either continue to complain or learn how to do something about it. What underground/local band do you enjoy? Locally, DJ Rise, Alan Baylon, Josh Stone, and the Sun City Hustlers. Nationally/internationally I’ve been listening to a lot of Stardust, Diplo, Q-Bert and DJ Patife. What would people be surprised to know about you? I am a master tile setter, I helped form the San Antonio Broadcasters Association (SABA) of which I am the director of administration, and I helped create the first RTF/ music business scholarship in the name of the late RTF Professor Fred Weiss. What is your favorite about being on air? It’s 100 percent live. It can be intimidating at times, but it gives me an adrenaline rush. What new CD will listeners hear on your show and what’s so good about it? The Fabric night club in London is known for showcasing the best of the best in the DJ world. Fabriclive. 49 Mixed by Buraka Som Sistema (BSS) is H.O.T. this week. This two-man team is known for recording sounds like shattering glass and water dripping, then using them in their songs as instruments. Remixing everything from Deadmau5 to Technotronic, Fabriclive. 49 is guaranteed to keep the party going all night long.
Calendar
14 • March 12, 2010 For coverage call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
Today SAC Event: Virtual reality gaming 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in the Cyber Café of Loftin. Continues Fridays. Call 486-0125. NLC Meeting: Gay and Straight Alliance Club at 1 p.m. in Room 208 of the student commons. Continues Fridays. Call 486-5234. Performance: Ides of Texas Playfest 8 p.m.–10 p.m. at the Overtime Theater, 1414 S. Alamo, Suite 103. Continues through March 27. Visit http://theovertimetheater.net or call 557-7562. Event: Fiesta Primavera at Market Square 10 p.m. at 14514 W. Commerce. Continues Saturday and Sunday. Call 5593961.
The Ranger
Saturday
Wednesday
Event: Dyeing the river green at 2 p.m. and St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3 p.m. Visit www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com. or call 227-4262.
SAC Event: Community job fair 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. in the empowerment center, 703 Howard. Visit www.alamo.edu/sac/ wc. or call 486-0455.
Event: San Antonio Museum of Art hosts “Psychedelic.” Continues through Aug. 1. Visit www.samuseum.org or call 978-8100.
March 19
www.theranger.org Complete calendar online.
SAC Concert: Faculty recital 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0494.
Sunday
March 22
Time change: Spring forward. Clocks go an hour forward at 2 a.m.
SAC Deadline: Flex 2 census date. Last day to drop without a recorded grade of W.
Monday
SAC Transfer: Texas State UniversitySan Marcos appointments from 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0869.
SAC Closing: Classes dismissed for spring break. Continues through March 21. Administrative offices closed March 18-21.
March 23 SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 486-0869. SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. in Room 142 of Chance. Call 486-0125. SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues Tuesdays. Call 381-0991. SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University. 4 p.m.–6 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 486-0869.
SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 486-0869. SAC Event: Student Active Shooter training sessions. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Room 101 of Longwith. Continues March 25-April 22. Call 485-0099. March 26 SAC Meeting: Women’s relationship retreat 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Room 105 of the empowerment center. Continues March 27. RSVP required. Call 486-0455. March 30 SAC Event: SAC’s Financial Education Day. In the Fiesta Room of Loftin. 8 a.m.–11 a.m. Call 486-0760. March 31 SAC Event: Psychic Fair 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125. April 1 SAC Performance: “Amadeus” 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Continues April 2–3 at 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. April 7–10. Free for district students and employees; $10 general admission; $8 all other students. Call 486-0494. April 2 SAC Closing: College closed for Easter. Continues through April 4. April 6
SAC Concert: Faculty recital 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 4860494. SAC Transfer: Schreiner University 1 p.m.–3 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 486-0869. March 24 NVC Event: The biannual Major Mania 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in Lago Vista of Cypress. Call 486-4126.
SAC Concert: Honors recital 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 4860494.
Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: South West Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 15
Mendiola filling VP position during reassignment By Zahra Farah
distance education, will oversee. we’ll do what we need to do,” she said. Before Vela took the position as dean of stuVela said the decision of who will fill in for Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student dent affairs in the fall of 2008, Mendiola served Mendiola will be made probably after spring break. affairs, announced to Academic Council. as interim vice president of student affairs for “I had mixed feelings,” Mendiola said. Tuesday that Emma Mendiola, two years. “I would prefer in an ideal chair of counseling and student Mendiola situation to stay where you are, development, will fill in as actwill discuss but I’m happy to help if I can.” ing assistant vice president of with her departShe said she’s confident that student affairs while Vela reloment today durcounseling will continue to have cates to the district’s new center ing their weekly excellent services for students. for student information in the meeting who Mendiola said they would all Albertsons facility on Pat Booker will be filling her work together on behalf of the Road. position during students. Vela will become the interim her absence. “I appreciate my colleagues’ district director of center of stuMendiola will support and appreciate Dr. Vela’s dent information. continue to be administrative support,” she Emma Mendiola Dr. Robert Vela When he officially moves, he chair of student said. could be gone up to two years. Vela will return development and counseling but Vela transitioning to CSI is in See letter Page 20. to campus every Tuesday, but be at CSI for the have minimal duties in that area. the works, but when he officially remainder of the week. “We’ll go through the same moves he will be joining Martin Vela said at the Academic Council meetprocess and figure out how we are going to Ortega, director of admissions and records, ing that he is not in charge of Project Phoenix, manage that,” she said. who has already relocated to CSI. the implementation of the Banner Enterprise Vela said Mendiola will assign co-chairs to Mendiola’s office will be next to Vela’s in Resource Planning system colleges are using. help lead counseling and student development. Room 309 of Fletcher Administration Center. His job is not to fix the technical aspect of the He said her staff has to figure out a plan and Students can reach the office by calling 486program, but to head CSI. their ideas will be taken into consideration. 0930. Mendiola is filling Vela’s place in his absence “For it to work out, it’ll mean everyone in the “There will always be administrators ready so students and the departments he oversees division stepping up, but I’m really confident to help students,” Vela said. still receive full attention. “I wasn’t appointed. The department heads in the division figured out a plan on how we were going to manage during his (Vela’s) absence,” Mendiola said. During the course of last week, a plan was presented to Dr. Robert Zeigler, president of this college, and on March 5, Mendiola was chosen to be acting assistant vice president of student affairs. The plan was effective on Monday. Now both Vela and Mendiola must let their departments know what is going to happen during the next few weeks of transition. “It’s time to let all the units know what the game plan is,” Vela said. In the plan, department heads requested Vela to be here more during the week, but it was not possible, Mendiola said. Vela oversees the assessment center, admissions and records, disability support services, enrollment management, counseling, student life, and the empowerment center, which Mendiola will head in Vela’s absence. He also deals with student discipline, which Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs, has a new temporary position at the center for student information. The Ruben Flores, dean of evening, weekend and CSI is at 8300 Pat Booker Road, 16.29 miles away from this college.
The Ranger
16 • March 12, 2010
Religious groups feed bodies, souls
Tyler K. Cleveland
By Steffany Gutierrez Another busy spring semester with lots of obligations, lots of classes and lots of things to worry about is well under way. Students need a break every now and then, so what better way to escape it all than to get involved with one of the religious organizations serving the campus? Whether you are looking to strengthen your faith, find people you have something in common with, make friends or just escape a routine, the religious organizations are here to help. There are four religious organizations represented on campus: Campus Crusade for Christ, Catholic Student Association, United Methodist Student Ministry and Church of Christ. Each of the three student centers also provides space for socializing or studying, places where students may feel welcome and at home. Campus Crusade for Christ, the only group without a center adjacent to the college, is committed to the proclamation of God’s word, and focuses on helping students impact the campus, city and world for Christ. Meetings are at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the craft room on the second floor of Loftin Student Center. The Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place, offers daily activities such as Breaking Open the Word Bible study from noon–1 p.m. Monday, rosary and lunch at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, social justice at 12:15 p.m. Thursday and Mass and meals at 12:15 p.m. Friday. The Phi Theta Kappa Food Pantry also can be found at this center. The Church of www.theranger.org Christ center at 301 W. See more photos Dewey Place offers a online relaxing atmosphere, free Wi-Fi, religious education and also features a food pantry. Their events feature a devotional from noon– 1 p.m. Monday, evening life group from 7 p.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday, Texas tea at noon Wednesday, Bible answer hour at noon Thursday and lunch devotional at noon Friday. The United Methodist Student Ministry seeks to provide a setting where members may
The Rev. John Feagins speaks to political science Professor Asslagn Khaligh’s lecture “When is Killing Justified?” March 3 in the Methodist Student Center. Rennie Murrell
Brandy A. Santos
Anton Sorki, University of Texas at San Antonio civil engineering junior, attends Bible study with Campus Crusade for Christ members Tuesday in Loftin. James Lazo Jr.
Jason Holmes, computer science sophomore, spoons beans onto his plate during a free lunch in the Church of Christ Center March 3.
Felician Franciscan Sisters M. Dorthy Young, Eugenius Gallaher and Jane Mary Gawlik talk with students Chrystal Rodriguez and Catherine Perille.
converse about world issues, respond to God’s world in ways leading to fuller humanity, formation of community and theological reflection. Their center, 102 Belknap Place, offers activities such as Hot Potato forums at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, worship at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Bible study and free lunch at 12:30 p.m. Thursday and the Connection Worship at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call: Campus Crusade for Christ, 486-1233 Catholic Student Association, 736-3752 Church of Christ, 736-6750 United Methodist Student Ministry, 733-1441
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 17
Cafeteria scores a C on inspection report Alison Wadley
By Riley StephenS The cafeteria in Loftin Student Center received a score of 76 on a 100-point scale during its most recent inspection Tuesday by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Fresh Taste Foods, owned by Selrico Inc., has provided cafeteria services for the Alamo Community College District since 2008. “Health inspectors usually only visit once a year,” Frederick Danzoy, district manager of food services, said Wednesday. However, on Monday, The Ranger researched the last time the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District filed a food-establishment inspection report and found that the last one had occurred June 12, 2008. The next day an inspector was sent here, and his report issued 24 demerits. Three demerits were given for insect contamination, with ants spotted around the soda machines. Danzoy said the college district’s facilities department is responsible for spraying for ants. “We keep working with facility maintenance, but there’s not a lot that we can do about the ants coming up through the drain,” Danzoy said. The notes left by the inspector indicated a problem with gnats, too. Danzoy said there were no demerits for mishandling food or not having food at the right temperature. “Four demerits were given for mixing ham and egg on the grill by one of the employees who was on duty at the time,” he said. Danzoy said the employee should not have mixed the ingredients on the grill because of cross-contamination. The health inspector gave three
demerits for not having calibrated thermometers in the cooler that chills sodas. A broken sink in a staff restroom behind the kitchen received demerits. Another sink was docked points because employees were washing their hands in a sink designated for dish cleaning. The inspector requested that dented food cans be removed from shelves. One licensed, certified manager should be present at all times, according to Metro Health guidelines, but at the time of the inspection the one certified food manager was not scheduled to work. In inspections of cafeterias at other district colleges last week, St. Philip’s received three demerits, and Northwest Vista had 12. Northeast Lakeview had a perfect score. The June 12, 2008, inspection at this college yielded 15 demerits, with points deducted for evidence of rodents or other animals, dented food cans and no thermometers in coolers. The inspector suggested the cafeteria use a licensed professional for rodent infestation. She also requested a followup inspection and asked that managers enroll in a course for food-service managers within 30 days. That follow-up didn’t come until 22 months later. “I do not know what was the reason for not checking up on the previous inspection,” Christine Patmon, Metro Health public relations manager, said Thursday. The cafeteria in Loftin is required to post the inspection report. “I would like to go over it first before I put it up,” Danzoy said Thursday. Patmon said a score of 76 “is not an unusual score,” but she did not know the numerical score
Assistant Manager Vincent Vasquez prepares an iced coffee for a customer Wednesday in the cafeteria of Loftin. The cafeteria received 24 demerits for violations from a Metropolitan Health District inspection.
A detail of the most recent inspection March 9. Go online to see reports. that would require a food server to cease operating. The sanitarian services man-
ager for Metro Health, Stephen Barscewsk, could not be reached for comment by press time.
18 • March 12, 2010
Editorial
The Ranger Juan Carlos Campos
Don’t sunset Ranger tradition The office of student life wants a mascot who can dress up in costume and drum up spirit at athletic events. Student Life Director Jorge Posadas has charged organizations with coming up with ideas for a suitable character. He shies away from a “ranger” because he associates it with the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency with a background he refers to as a “vigilante group” whose actions were in conflict with the Mexican-American community the college now serves. He has removed the word Ranger from athletic uniforms. Posadas argues that the college does not have a mascot despite the depiction of a Ranger painted in the center of the basketball court in Gym 1 in Candler Physical Education Center and the name of the student newspaper you’re reading either in print or cyberspace. True, the college doesn’t have a student dressed up as a ranger, however that would be depicted, to boost revelry at sparsely attended games. But the association of San Antonio College with a ranger mascot goes back to 1926
with the founding of this campus newspaper. The type of ranger that represents the college has never been defined, and T-shirts and other illustrations have varied widely. An astute observer defined the word “rangFile photo er” in comments on The Ranger Online: “ranger |rān´jr| noun: 1) a keeper of a park, forest, or area of countryside. 2) a member of a body of armed men, in particular a mounted soldier or a commando or highly trained infantryman. 3) a person or thing that wanders or ranges over a particular area or domain as in rangers of the mountains.” So if Posadas wants to pinpoint the concept of a ranger to better design a costume, that wouldn’t be high on our list of ways to spend students’ money. But it’s understandable. But to kill off the San Antonio College Ranger? No way, podnuh. A college that’s planning its 85th anniversary and beefing up its alumni association needs to capitalize on its traditions, not send them riding into the sunset.
The Ranger
March 12, 2009 • 19
Ax vice chancellor position or raise taxes Opinion
Last week, Chancellor Bruce Leslie proposed to Faculty Senate leaders that they choose between a pay raise for themselves for the 2010-11 academic year and increased tuition for students. Should they choose the raise, students will have to bear the burden. This is patently unfair but no worse than we have come to expect from Dr. Leslie. The faculty members are not the bad guys, and students can see through the chicanery no matter how low an opinion this chancellor holds them in. It’s been years since a faculty raise reflected an equitable cost of living adjustment. Last time faculty received a raise was 18 months ago. And what about staff? What shameful choice will the chancellor put before Staff Council? Funny, Leslie did not mention dis-
trict officials. And he won’t. A quick year-to-year comparison of district positions shows vice chancellors collecting a $9,000 increase in salary from 2008-09 to 2009-10. This is actually a car allowance that didn’t show in the previous budget because it was filed under nonsalary benefit but now is rolled into their salary. Don’t we all wish we got a $750 a month car allowance for our travels? This sort of proposition pits students against faculty when the real culprits share a Sheridan Street address. This is where cost-saving measures could be taken. Last time the board raised tuition, trustees could have raised property taxes by half a penny instead. Do you think homeowners would have felt that extra 0.5 cent per $100 valuation in property taxes? It’s certain students felt the tuition increase a whole lot more.
The faculty tries to teach doing what’s right and treating others with respect while their bosses fail to provide role models. They simply think of the easy way out. Leslie chose upsetting faculty who work for students instead of potentially upsetting Bexar County property owners (read: voters, who will surely be called upon to approve another bond issue soon). Faculty Senate suggests losing a vice chancellor position to save the district money. At a going rate of about a halfmillion dollars per vice chancellor or associate vice chancellor for salary, support staff, travel and supplies, it would be a good start toward affording a faculty raise and avoiding a tuition hike. The district needs to find somewhere else to cut. Just a hint: Charity begins at home.
Summer questions need quick answers Gov. Rick Perry on Jan. 15 instructed institutions of higher education to submit plans by Feb. 15 for cutting 5 percent of state funding in the 2010-11 fiscal year. Chancellor Bruce Leslie sent a letter requesting an exemption from the potential cuts because the district may have to cap enrollment to achieve a 5 percent target. Otherwise, cuts could mean increased class sizes, eliminating Summer 2 classes and shortening the workweek to four days. No one wants to needlessly cause hardships for employees, students or the community. But the financial forecast is grim, and the reality is
that this district likely will have to cope with a shortage in funds from the state. District and college officials are trying to find areas to cut that will be as painless as possible. If any of these changes must be implemented, officials need to decide quickly and let the everyone know. Faculty, staff and students must be notified as soon as possible if the college switches to a four-day workweek this summer or eliminates the Summer 2 session. A decision needs to be made now because this move affects internships, travel, family plans, child care and students’ graduation plans — not to mention
the reorganization of class schedules and syllabuses. Four-day workweeks also affect organizations and camps that use college facilities. If this change is implemented, the college could lose out on revenue made from groups renting gyms and the auditorium. Ours is one of the busiest colleges in the summer, and it needs to have its doors open all week. Do all of the Alamo Colleges have to switch to four-day weeks? Palo Alto College has had a four-day summer schedule since the summer of 2003. Can certain colleges be exempt from doing a four-
day workweek if other colleges are more comfortable with it? If district decides to cut Summer 2 classes, this extreme measure would hurt students who want to get ahead or make up classes in the summer and university students who want to take cheaper classes at community colleges. Because of potential state funding cutbacks, colleges are left in a tight and unreasonable position. Whatever plan this district picks will have shortcomings, but it must be communicated throughout the colleges. No one should be left wondering what is going to happen next.
Letters
20 • March 12, 2010
Letters Seeks correction Editor: I truly regret having to submit a regular correction letter in reference to a Ranger story, but when there are issues of personal integrity and potential damage to the educational aspirations of students, I feel that I must respond. I’ve submitted two correction letters to The Eric Reno Ranger containing verifiable information that contradicts two recent stories. Both were printed by The Ranger, but both had a note stating that The Ranger stands by its stories. I am bewildered by that response because the reporters needed only to have followed up with the information provided and then issued corrections. Phone calls to my office would not have changed the information. Dr. Eric Reno President, Northeast Lakeview College Brandy A. Santos
‘Smut’ not news, opinion Editor: Brandy A. Santos’ story “Smut for Smut,” March 5, had good content; it was just on the wrong page. The story should have been an opinion story based on the biasedness of the story. If it was “news” as The Ranger printed it, then it would have shown both sides of the story, not just the atheist viewpoints. She seemed to put down the Christian groups the entire story instead of also writing their point of view.
I really encourage The Ranger editors to take responsibility of this biased journalist and write a retraction in the next issue. This is not the kind of journalism I expect to see in a college-level newspaper. Brent Harris Northwest Vista College Freshman
Don’t blame counselors Editor: In the article “Chancellor poses Solomon dilemma to faculty” March 5, The Ranger quoted Faculty Senate Chair Jeff Hunt in a discussion about academic advising (at the March 3 senate meeting). If correctly quoted, his statements require a response due to the inaccurate and incomplete picture they portray of advising services and issues at San Antonio College. Especially disturbing is the accusatory tone. The article states that there is a committee appointed by Dr. Jessica Jeff Hunt Howard, vice president of academic affairs, to give ideas on advising students. While this is a commendable move toward improved services for students, Hunt’s comment “counselors and Dr. Vela have never worked on a model” makes it appear as if this is the first time advising concerns have been brought up. In fact, there is nothing further from the truth. As I read the article, I wondered if the mapped process referred to was similar to the one we provided to Howard about a year ago. Any time a change in the current model has been proposed, it has been dismissed. Perhaps the time has come where there would be more support for a new model. If so, it would be welcome. It is counselors who have repeatedly raised the concern that the only students who are required to receive advising are first-timein-college students, and because of limited resources, we are forced to conduct it in a group format. Unless there are increased resources made available to those limited groups, continuing to operate this way leaves a large number of students’ needs unaddressed and negatively impacts their progress and success. Ideally, advising is a collegewide responsi-
The Ranger
bility that supports a student’s entire academic career. There should be advising about testing issues, FTIC advising, course placement advising, early alert advising, transfer advising, drop advising and more. Vela has been working with Howard and (President Robert) Zeigler to create a committee with representation from all areas of the college who have a vested interest in this important issue. However, recent developments with Vela’s role have made it necessary to temporarily direct attention away from that effort. Hunt’s comment “I think the teaching faculty are tired of waiting for the counselors to improve their system” might be what he thinks, but I question whether he speaks for the entire teaching faculty. I would hope that the action Hunt advocates we take could be done with everyone’s participation in a collegial manner and in the interest of our students’ success. Emma L. Mendiola Chair, Counseling and Student Development
Pumped up Editor: After reading your article in which after spring break the Loftin Student Center will have a newly added fitness room, I’ve been excited to return to school. It will give students who aren’t taking a kinesiology class the opportunity to work out. And although, we are entitled to use facilities during free hours in Candler Physical Education Center, the hours for the fitness center would be more convenient for students unlike the Gym 1, which is always closed, and Gym 2, which is only open for an hour a day. I know that the conditioning room is open but only certain hours in the afternoon. I’m a student who has morning classes and works in the afternoon, so those hours are of no use to me. But with the addition of the fitness room, students who have breaks in between a morning class like me can easily access the room before leaving campus. This newly added renovation will greatly benefit many students and help students save money on gym memberships. Tiarra Castro Business Administration Freshman
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 21
District plans mock Banner student registration for April 6-8 April 6-8 mock registration designed to iron out system errors before student enrollment. By Zahra Farah Students will register through the new Banner/Student Services system for fall beginning April 19. Although training for the new system is ongoing, officials said they expect class schedules to be entered in time for a mock registration April 6-8. The mock registration will be a test in which counselors will recruit students to test the system, Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs, said. Mock registration will determine if “there are any glitches or bugs before Banner goes live,” Vela said. Fall registration will be conducted as “stacked” registration, he said. Beginning April 19, students who have 46 hours or more will be allowed to register. April 20, students who have 31-45 hours can register.
“It’s supposed to be more successful and sophisticated. Several colleges around the country use it.” Emma Mendiola counseling and student development chair
April 21, students with 16-30 hours register. April 22, students with zero-15 hours are able to register. After April 22, registration is open for everyone. “The only reason we have to stagger these is we didn’t want to overload the system,” Vela said. Vela said Smart Consultants, a firm offering Banner training, recommended stacking registration to eliminate the risk of having 60,000 students register at once and overload the system. Training for students will be close to registration so information can still be fresh in their minds, he said.
Banner training began in February for faculty and staff. Each college has appointed “super users,” faculty, staff or counselors who are trained in a specific function of Banner. They will assist counselors, faculty and staff with the implementation of the fall schedule and registration. Counseling and student development super users are Counselors Sara Samano and David Rodriguez. “Super users will serve as key points of contact on campus,” Vela said. Vela said Banner will protect students’ records by limiting access. “I don’t know if we’re going to be able to remove holds like we used to,” Emma Mendiola, chair of counseling and student development, said. “It’s supposed to be more successful and sophisticated. Several colleges around the country use it including UTSA (University of Texas at San Antonio.)” For more information on registration, students can call the counseling center at 4860333.
Financial aid offers support for FAFSA application assistance Apply early for limited $3 billion state aid distribution. By Melody Mendoza The early bird won’t have to squirm waiting for a financial aid check to arrive. The office of student financial services will help complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and Texas Application for State Financial Aid. Although special events are geared toward incoming freshmen, there are specialists willing to help any student. “Early is key,” Tom Campos, director of the college’s financial services office, said. The main reason for the push for early completion is because the amount of financial aid from state programs is limited, so students who apply early have the advantage, Campos explained. Texas distributes $3 billion in aid, the finan-
cial services Web site states. The district is replacing its software for stuThe business office disperses checks every dent records this year. week and normally mails the first financial aid Along with the new Banner system, financial check, Campos said. aid is changing lender programs. If students register early and complete their The former program was called Family financial aid applications, their financial aid Federal Education Loan Program, in which a checks will also come in early. loan was extended from a bank directly to the “The delay comes from getstudent. ting the students and parents to Now, the Direct Student Loan Assistance for entering finish their tax form from the Program is set to replace the old students is 9 a.m.-noon prior year,” Campos said. program next fall. March 27 in Room 400B of Moody. “We tell them to complete as The federal government is the Call 486-0600. much as they can, and we are new lender. available if they have any quesWith all the upcoming changtions.” es, students who register and complete their Computers are available in the financial aid financial aid applications as early as possible office in Room 101 of Fletcher Administration can get familiar with the financial aid changes Center. and be able to navigate the new Banner system Students also can receive one-on-one help smoothly, Campos said. with their applications from financial aid repreThe student financial services office is open sentatives there. 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, “Apply early, especially this year, because of 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. the new Banner system,” Campos said. Friday.
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Author says procreation women’s real power By Michelle e. Gaitan With evidence ranging from Alice Cooper’s “Only Women Bleed” to Freud’s theory of penis envy, men have attempted to belittle women to compensate for their own sense of inferiority, the Women’s History Week keynote speaker said March 2. Dr. Robert S. McElvaine, the Elizabeth Chisholm Professor of Arts and Letters at Millsaps College and author of “Eve’s Seed: Biology, the Sexes and the Course of History,” spoke on “The Distant Origins of Our (Mis)Understanding of the Sexes” in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The origins of woman’s supposed inferiority to men actually comes from insecurity in their own masculinity, McElvaine said. The power women possess over
men is the power of procreation, the gift of reproducing life, he said. It’s something women can do that men cannot, and as a result, men feel the need to compensate by belittling the essence of a woman in society. For men to be what McElvaine calls a positive, women must then be a negative. If women can give life, then men, being the opposite, can take it away, causing a separation between the sexes. Men compensate by telling women what they can and cannot do, subjecting women to society’s rules. What people believe is what people act upon, McElvaine said. If men dehumanize women, it becomes OK to treat them poorly, at times, to the point of taking a life. To overcome it, society has to realize that it’s happening, he said. He credits women with discov-
ering agriculture. The blessing of childbirth became a curse, which led to men taking over agriculture because women were busy with childbirth and mothering. Metaphors from before recorded history, or prehistory, shaped the way men treat women; for example, the idea of a man planting his seed, making a woman pregnant. Men are the stronger sex physically, protecting women from predators and having women cheer them on as they provide food by hunting. Men once performed some of the roles women performed. Before planting, they would have to furrow the ground. McElvaine said that to men, the furrowed ground suggested part of a woman’s anatomy thus encouraging the diminishing value of women by comparing them to soil or dirt.
The (mis)understandings like this shaped and misshaped the roles of women and men starting from prehistory. They are heard in the way people speak to one another today. When people want to insult a man, they degrade him by calling him a woman. Famous sayings like “you throw like a girl” are a way to devalue a person and, at the same time, all women. People believe that there are many differences between men and women, which is nonsense, McElvaine said. There are average differences, but “we are much more alike than different.” It all comes from a man’s desire to gain power to overcome insecurities, he said. “Hell has no fury like a man devalued,” he said.
The Ranger
March 12, 2010 • 23 Photos by Brandy Santos
International Women’s March parades through downtown By Brandy a. santos More than 1,000 women marched in solidarity to raise awareness of women’s equal rights, advocate for reproductive choice, and seek health care, better education and fair wages. As the International Women’s March began, the marchers stood before the San Antonio Grand Hyatt Hotel chanting, “Hyatt, escucha! Estamos en la lucha!” for “Hyatt, listen! We are in the struggle!” and “Hyatt, Hyatt! What do you say? Stop abusing your workers today!” The march started at 10 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Bowie and Market streets. Volunteers,
mothers sisters and daughters chanted and waved signs expressing their anger at unfair treatment. With hardship on their faces and sadness in their voices, they chanted, “Tear down the walls, tear down the walls. Injustice for one is injustice for all.” The marchers passed downtown businesses, hotels and bystanders who smiled, pointed, laughed, waved and sympathized with demonstrators. “Buena Gente” Ray Salazar looked over his shoulder and said, “I’m a man and didn’t understand, however I now understand and see the
injustice, and women need a voice and I’m here to scream for them.” The demonstrators ended their march at Plaza Del Zacate, also known as Milam Park between Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital and Market Square. Performances by the Organix Group, Suzy Bravo, Kiawitl Xochitl entertained the marchers. Guest speakers, including Betita Martinez who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in race relations. For more information, call Esperanza Peace and Justice Center 228-0201.
Birth affects both male, female counterparts alike Tyler K. Cleveland
By Joshua sanchez Guerrero Males assume the behaviors of their pregnant partners. Dr. Richard Reed, from the sociology and anthropology department of Trinity University offered some insight on fathers and their reaction to the birthing process March 4 in the Visual Arts Center. Reed did much of his case study in Paraguay with the Guarani tribe. The Guarani tribe is notorious for the female food taboos many males practice when their wives or lovers are in labor. Reed also explained that for “a woman in the Guarani tribe to have several different lovers is
Richard Reed lectures on “From Alpha Male to Nurturing Father: How Childbirth Affects Dads” March 3. common” and that up to 10 to 12 males in the tribe would follow through on the taboos of the
pregnant female. The food taboo consisted of males not partaking in any engagement that a pregnant female would not be able to partake in, such as the eating of venison, which is a very powerful red meat because of its texture and leanwww.theranger.org Read the complete ness. story online. Reed also explained that within the Guarani tribe, the main belief is that “the mother is responsible for the baby’s body while the father is responsible for the soul.”
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24 • March 12, 2010
View zoo’s new Africa Live 2 exhibit
Photos by Rennie Murrell
By AlexAndriA MAxwell
T
he San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium opened its doors Feb. 27 to a new exhibit, Africa Live 2. The idea behind Africa Live, the second phase of a three-phase renovation to the zoo’s African area, is to allow visitors to walk through a collection of animals one would find on the continent, officials said. The exhibit offers a new aviary habitat called “The Wings of Africa,” which is about 45 feet tall. Upon entering the aviary, visitors see a waterfall flowing into a zoo-made river in an open-air habitat. At the top of the aviary, visitors may see a bird’s-eye view capturing all of Africa Live, while various species of birds gallivant around the alfresco environment. Other species on display in the area are red river hogs, monkeys, hippos, lions and rhinos. The zoo’s living collections manager Ryan Gulker said the new exhibit adds about 200 new animals to the zoo’s 7,401-animal collection of more than 600 species. Gulker said the two new okapi are on loan to the zoo from other parts of the country. The male, Muka, is 9 years old and came to the San Antonio Zoo from the Oklahoma City Zoo, and the female, Sukari, came from the San Diego Zoo. Many zoos loan animals to other facilities for breeding purposes. The San Antonio Zoo currently has 295 animals on loan and 208 loaned to other zoos, according to the zoo’s annuwww.theranger.org al report. Read the complete Okapis are listed as an story online. endangered species and are rarely seen. According to the plaque outside the new okapi habitat, Western scientists did not even know they existed until 1901. For the grand opening of Africa Live 2, total zoo attendance was 12,512. About half were members and half nonmembers, director of public relations Debbie Rio-Vanskike said. Typical attendance for the zoo is about 7,500 per day, depending on the weather. The zoo is at 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. in Brackenridge Park. Admission is $8 for children and $10 for adults. The zoo is open 365 days a year. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.; the grounds close at 6 p.m. For more information, call 734-7184.
Families view the new Africa Live 2 exhibit at the San Antonio Zoo March 6. The exhibit has been open to the public since Feb. 28 and is open 365 days from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
The Lycaon pictus, also known as the African wild dog, shakes itself clean after rolling in the dirt March 6. Animal handler Alyssa Dunklin said the male dog is named Dale and his female mate is named De-De.
One new animal is the Cercopithicus wolfi, or Wolf’s guenon, seen here eating lettuce. Wolf’s guenons average about 20 inches from head to tail. Males are larger and weigh more than females. Their average weight is 6 to 15 pounds.
The Okapi johnstoni, also known as the okapi, walks through its new habitat at the Africa Live 2 exhibit.