The Ranger, Sept. 24, 2018 by The Ranger

The anger Volume 93 • Issue 2 San Antonio College A forum of free voices since 1926

Sept. 24, 2018 WWW.THERANGER.ORG

Students practice officer felony stop safety, procedures Cadets act as officers, suspects in a simulated real-world situation. By Rogelio Escamilla sac-ranger@alamo.edu

A group of 22 students in the law enforcement training academy practiced a felony stop procedure in the original Loop Road parking garage Sept. 14.

This is a part of the tactical phase, which is Phase 3 of four phases in the program. In Phase 3, students participate in simulations of real-world police encounters. “Everything hands-on is done in Phase 3,” chief tactical Instructor M. C. Joseph said. “Not only do they do felony stops, they do searches, handcuffing and firing at the range.”

Two officers are required to perform a felony stop. One acts as the lead officer while the other acts as a cover officer, Cadet David Rico said. “This is the most reliable method,” Rico said. “(The officer) is in control. It’s not about how fast you can do it; it’s about how safe you can do it.” The two officers cover both sides of the vehicle, order all passengers out and face down on the

ground, then an officer places handcuffs on the suspects. Once one round is completed, the students switch roles. Every student will act as both an officer and a suspect. “It gives you an insight on how a suspect would feel and react,” Rico said. “The officer has to give

See FELONY, Page 4

ASL class performs guide exercises around campus By Liandre De la Uso sac-ranger@alamo.edu

ASL sophomores Isabella Robledo and Elisa Paramel participate in a deaf/blind walk Sept. 18 west of Moody. The students are a part of an Interpretation in Specialized Settings class. The walk happens once per semester. V. Finster

American Sign Language and interpreter students donned ear muffs and blindfolds before walking the campus the afternoon of Sept. 18. Students were divided into pairs with one acting as the interpreter who guided the other student experiencing what it is like to navigate the campus as a deaf and blind student would. “This is one of their favorite things to do all semester,” ASL Instructor Michelle Theiss said. “They like the real-life experience. Most of them have never had the opportunity to work with a deaf-blind person in real life, so they really enjoy the practice.” Students in the SLNG 2311, Interpreting in Specialized Settings, participated. After taking part in the exercise, students learned the importance of their profession to those who are deaf or blind. “I learned how dependent they are on interpreters,” said ASL interpreter sophomore Elisa Paramel. “They’re trusting these people that they’ve never met, and I think that’s a big responsibility.” Students doing this exercise for the first time found it exciting and gained a new perspective from the experience, they said.

“It was definitely a challenge, and it helped me see things in a different way,” said ASL interpreter sophomore Krystal Ayala. “When you’re deaf and blind, you start feeling your steps and hearing your breath. It was very different, but I liked it.” Students gained more insight into their field of study as well as what it may be like for people who are deaf and blind. “It’s cool to see both sides of it,” Paramel said. “I think it just gives us more of an idea of what we need to be watching for when we’re interpreting for people.” The American Sign Language and interpreter program prepares students to be certified as ASL interpreters on the state level. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language Interpreter or as a Deaf Support Specialist, which requires passing a certification exam. The ASL Connections Club will staff a table at the annual Antojitos Festival 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26 in the mall. The department also will sponsor a Thanksgiving turkey drive for 25 families with a member who is blind or deaf. Official dates have not yet been announced. For more information call 210-4861106.

Board approves 2018-19 property tax rate The board discusses student credit transferability. By Kimberly Caballero

kcaballero3@student.alamo.edu

At the Sept. 18 regular meeting, the board of trustees approved the proposed 201819 tax rate, reviewed a report from the Senate Committee on Higher Education and approved a memorandum of agreement between Texas FAME and Alamo Colleges at St. Philip’s College. The board voted on the “Motion to Adopt Minute Order Setting Tax Rate,” which states, “I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $0.149150 per $100 of taxable value which is effectively a 2.70% increase in the tax rate.” It was approved unanimously. The tax rate has not increased but the district will earn more revenue because of increased

property valuations. District 7 trustee Yvonne Katz was absent. No citizen comments accompanied the Alamo Colleges two public hearings Sept. 4 and Sept. 6 at Killen Center on the 2018-19 proposal to increase the total tax revenues of the Alamo Colleges from properties on the tax roll in the preceding year by 2.70 percent. A $100,000 property value taxed at $0.149150 per $100 will pay taxes of $149.50. The average 2017 Bexar County taxable value of a residence homestead was $194,640. It was taxed at the fiscal year 2017-18 rate of $0.149150 per $100, meaning an average payment of $290.31, according to the draft “Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase” posted on the board’s website under the Aug. 21 agenda. This year’s average Bexar County taxable value of a resi-

dence homestead is $205,434. Adopting the effective tax rate for this year of $0.145224 per $100 of taxable value will tax the average home $298.34, according to the draft. Adopting the proposed tax rate of $0.149150 per $100 of taxable value will tax the average home $306.40. Katz said Sept. 10 there is no property tax rate increase. “We’re not increasing any property taxes, but that is the statement proposed by law we have to use,” she said. Katz said the increase in property value increases tax revenues. “With those property values increasing at county and city level, then that increases that amount automatically, so we don’t have to increase tax value.” District 1 trustee Joe Alderete, chairperson of the Policy and Long-Range Planning Committee, discussed the Senate Committee on Higher

Education report. Alderete said he gave the report for Chancellor Bruce Leslie, who attended the committee meeting. Leslie was out of town and incoming chancellor Mike Flores sat in for him at the board meeting. Leslie’s last day as chancellor is Sept. 30. Alderete said the main topic discussed before the committee was transferability of credits. “Dr. Leslie and several others went to go speak to the Senate Committee on Higher Education,” he said. “Obviously, the main topic was the transferability of our credits with our students,” he continued. Alderete said it is important for the committee to hear the success rate of community colleges. “It’s so important that these people that are at this level — and the Coordinating Board is an appointed board — they

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. said it was unfair to students that district credits do not always transfer to four-year universities Sept. 18 at a board meeting at Killen. Alderete said universities want students to attend their school first and if they start to fail, they can go to a two-year college, pass and get the credit. Christina Emmett need to hear the actual success rate that our presidents and their students and their faculty actually have so that they can understand that the community college is really doing their job beyond what some of our fouryear institutions are doing in terms of the success rate we’re promoting,” Alderete said.

“They’re still trying to find out how and why the core and the field of study doesn’t transfer, and they’re challenging us to prove it.” It should be easy to prove because several students have been unable to transfer credits, he said. Alderete said he, Sanchez and

See BOARD, Page 4

Sept. 24, 2018

WWW.THERANGER.ORG

CLASSROOMS ARE FOR LEARNING

NOT HIDING FROM GUNFIRE TIME AND TIME AGAIN, STUDENTS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT WE WILL SHOW UP TO END GUN VIOLENCE. WE CAN HELP CHANGE GUN LAWS AND THE LAWMAKERS WHO DECIDE THEM. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME TO BE A

GUN SENSE

VOTER REGISTER TO VOTE AT

EVERYTOWN.ORG/REGISTER PAID FOR BY EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY ACTION FUND.

/readtheranger @therangerSAC

Sept. 24, 2018

@sacranger /therangervideo

WWW.THERANGER.ORG/OPINION

Opinion 3

Staff Editor Kimberly Caballero Managing Editor Sergio Medina Opinion Editor Austin P. Taylor Calendar Editor Andrea Moreno Social Media Editor Brianna Rodrigue Staff Writers Kathya Anguiano, Blanca Granados, Huguette Buduri, Esther Lopez Caballero, Feliciano De Haro III, Liandre de la Uso, Jason Durant, Rogelio Escamilla, Julian Gonzales, Richard Hernandez, Geoffrey K. Hovatter, Jeremy Laborde, Mardio Lattimore, Giovanni Maccarone, Alexandria Matus, Janie Medelez, Jackie N. Muralles, Lionel Ramos, James Russell Photo Editor V. Finster Photographer Deandra Gonzalez Photo Team Christina R. Emmett, Michael Estrada, Mitchell Gawlik, Dillon Holloway, Brittney Maria Moreno, Alan Torres Illustrator Amanda Graef Distribution Manager Micaela Avila

©2018 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-3941. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of classes in the journalism-photography program at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available by phone 210-486-1765 or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar,

Amanda Graef

Your vote does matter Students not registered to vote should sign up on National Voter Registration Day Sept. 25. The time is long gone for those with the privilege and right to vote, especially millennials and Gen Z, to withhold their voices because of cynicism or negligence. With MOVE Texas visiting the college Sept. 25 on National Voter Registration Day, students who are new to the electoral process should register to vote. The midterm elections are Nov. 6. The deadline to register to vote in that election is Oct. 9. The senate race between Texas incumbent Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke is a tight one; a recent report from The Hill reads O’Rourke is four points behind Cruz in a poll by CBS Dallas-Fort Worth — signifying the potential for Texas to elect its first Democratic senator in more than 25 years. Citizens can either make it or break it, and that should not be taken for granted. The last midterm election took place in 2014. Per a PBS report, only 36.4 percent of voters in the entire nation turned out. Little less than 35 percent did in Texas, with millennials at 21.3 percent. In the 2016 elections, 27.3 percent of national voters 18-24 turned out. Two years have passed since President Donald Trump took office. It is an understatement to say there

Raza Heritage Month promotes diversity

has been much division throughout the country since the election. Trump dismissed an independent report by George Washington University’s Milken School of Public Health reporting almost 3,000 people died in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria. He belittled efforts to counter climate change by denying it is a threat to national security, as reported by The Guardian, easing regulations on the fossil fuel industry. Overall, Trump has told more than 5,000 lies as of his 601st day as president, as reported by The Washington Post. These actions by Trump rouse much discussion between supporters and opponents. Those who disagree with either Trump’s politics or character have made their discontent loud and clear, if not louder with each day’s passing. It is apparent in social networks, TV and radio broadcasts — the heated exchange that sometimes devolves into personal attacks, simplifying large groups of people into derogatory labels and numbers, losing track of what truly matters — truth, civility, unity and a concern for bettering our country and its citizens. If the administration’s actions make you angry, vote. If you think the administration should continue on its path, vote. Turn that passion into the civic duty that is voting. Make your voice heard where it counts.

Cultural celebration unifies communities. Raza Heritage Month started this week and the desperation for such a celebration can be heard in the voices of students across the Alamo Colleges and beyond. Across campuses, students talk about the separation of Hispanic children from their families at the border and the cruel treatment of people who are undocumented in this country. Dreamers are human beings born on the other side of manmade boundaries who grew up in the United States, often after dangerous travel, to begin a life of hope. Some don’t even discover their status until they are almost adults. Attempting the crossing without legal permission can mean death, and yet they travel to live on American soil, the land of opportunity. They have hope in a country that shows them hate and greets them with imprisonment. Discussing the issue, students grow furious and heartbroken; however, the discussion continues and will not stop.

Editorial

Letters

WWW.THERANGER.ORG/OPINION

Two views of new club GPA requirements

libel and length.

Editor:

Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

There should be stronger regulations for extracurricular clubs and organizations like the ones talked about in the article “New rule coming for clubs in 2019” in the Sept. 7 issue. Pushing forward a robust GPA enforcementfocused agenda as a requirement for student success and participation in all extracurricular clubs and organizations will motivate us to stay on track with our grades, thus bettering our chances for graduation. By implementing stronger grade-based regulations, the interim student life director reminds us to not only keep our priorities in check, but to focus on schoolwork and studying first and foremost. We as a student body would do well to look to the interim director as a reminder and role model for how we should operate as college students.

The article “New Rule Coming for Clubs in 2019” published Sept. 7 doesn’t give any reasoning for the minimum GPA being raised from 2.5 to 2.75 for officers in a chartered club. It seems to be a minuscule difference that doesn’t have any explanation. Why should an extra 0.25 affect whether one can become or remain an officer for a chartered club? Does this actually encourage better academic performance, or is it just a way to create the appearance of increased academic standards?

Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or submitted online. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, journalism-photography program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and college discipline.

The month-long cultural celebration is a beautiful and empowering time for the Latinx community and all other human beings to engulf themselves in a vibrant and rich culture. Gabby Rivera, writer of Marvel comic “America,” will give a lecture titled “Inspiring Radical Creativity: An Evening with Gabby R i ve ra ,” which will include a Q&A. The lecture is scheduled at 7 p.m. Oct. 1 in McAllister Fine Arts Center. The Campus Activity Board will serve “Raspas con Raza” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 2 in the mall. Somos Chicanx is hosting “Altar-Making 101” 1-3 p.m. Oct. 2 in Room 100 of Chance Academic Center. Indigenous People’s Day is 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in the mall. People eager to connect with and learn about a variety of cultures will gain enrichment, and compassion will follow. Enjoy Raza Heritage Month events, as well as all other observations dedicated to celebrating culture, to create unity among all people.

Dustin Sosa Liberal Arts Sophomore

Amy Yarbrough English Freshman

Please protest responsibly Editor: In regards to the article “Keep marching, students” in the April 9 issue, the First Amendment does guarantee freedom of expression. That’s what

makes this country great. Using that freedom in the form of marching is also a great way to expose and create awareness of any situation. But when it was mentioned ‘school administrators threatened disciplinary action for walkouts,’ this is where we need to step back and ask ourselves if our actions are going to help the cause we are fighting for. School and government administrators have to maintain some type of order no matter the cause, even if we don’t agree with them. You have to remember for every story, there are two sides and the key to any march or rally is to get the message across peacefully. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Carlos Rodriguez Engineering Sophomore

News

Sept. 24, 2018

FELONY from Page 1 clear commands. This gives officers an idea of what suspects can hear and how to verbally command.” After Phase 3 students enter Phase 4, the final phase in the training academy. “We conduct two exit exams,” Rico said. “We have two hours to complete 250 questions.” Students also learn about traffic and field sobriety in Phase 4, Joseph said. After the academy, students have one more step before they can apply to be an officer. “Their next step is to go take their state license test,” Joseph said. “When they pass that test, they are issued a state license, which means they can be an officer anywhere in the state of Texas.” The exam is the Peace Office Licensing Exam, which is administered by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Cadet James Castillano said he wants to see more young people

WWW.THERANGER.ORG/FEATURES

Criminal justice sophomores James Castillano and Michael Kuhl practice a felony stop drill Sept. 14 in the parking garage on Loop Road. A felony stop is performed when the suspect is considered armed and dangerous, and may have committed a burglary, kidnapping or other felony. V. Finster participating in the program and becoming officers. “It would be a pretty good future,” Castillano said. “You don’t have to work for the San Antonio Police Department to be on patrol, you can choose San Antonio Independent School District or Alamo Colleges and watch over kids. I think that is better.” Castillano said that he wants to work for SAISD to push students to be better. “I know where they come from and how they think,” Castillano said. “My parents pushed me, so I feel like I can push these kids to do better for themselves and their families.”

Theater program kicks off year with witch-hunt in ‘The Crucible’ By James Russel

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The play “The Crucible” by playwright Arthur Miller, based on the Salem witchcraft trials, will be the first production of this academic year of the theater program. The play is set in 1690s during the Salem witchcraft trials, and was written by Arthur Miller during the Red Scare in the 1950s, where artists and others in creative industries were being pulled in front of Congress and accused of being Communists. Coordinator Ronald Watson, who is directing the production, said Sept. 13, “In the world of ‘The Crucible,’ the judgment of the courts and the minds of the townspeople is guilty until proven innocent, instead of innocent until proven guilty,” he said. Watson hopes the audience will open their eyes to the events that are happening right now in relation to people being

Kyle Pichot, drama and engineering sophomore playing Deputy Danforth, yells,“Look at me,” to drama sophomore Joan Albor, playing Elizabeth Proctor, Sept. 11 during “The Crucible” practice in McAllister. Brianna Rodrigue

BOARD from Page 1 others on the Policy and Long-Range Planning Committee will continue discussing the issues, but he is unsure of when that will be. The board approved execution of a memorandum of agreement with Texas FAME, the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education. MOVE UP Texas FAME is “a collaborative of

employers who work collectively with colleges to participate in and support the Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways, including the Advanced Manufacturing Technician,” according to a slideshow at the July 24 board meeting. The minute order states, “In July 2018, the Board adopted the TXFAME and Alamo Colleges Program Expansion Task Force Recommendations

accused guilty until proved innocent. The main thrust of the play goes over characters John Proctor, played by theater sophomore Ryan Willis, who has an affair outside his marriage to Elizabeth Proctor, played by theater freshman Joan Albor, with their servant Abigail Williams, played by American Sign Language sophomore Elise Herrera. After Abigail is kicked out of the house, she charges people in the town, including Elizabeth with witchcraft to get what she believes is hers, John Proctor. “This play will follow a more modern take on ‘The Crucible’ with colloquial dialect and an inspired costume design from the Hulu series ‘The Handmaid’s Tale,’” Watson said. “The cast and crew of this play will be rehearsing for 5 ½ weeks, 10 hours each week depending on what roles they have,” he said.

to increase the enrollment capacity of the SPC AMT (Advanced Manufacturing Tech) and TXFAME programs at St. Philip’s Colleges-Southwest Campus to 250 enrollments by Academic Year 2022 to address current manufacturing workforce needs and to position Alamo Colleges and TXFAME to align with long-term local manufacturing industry demand.” Sprague said the MOA increases “enrollments