The Ranger, Oct. 22, 2018 by The Ranger

The anger Volume 93 • Issue 5 San Antonio College A forum of free voices since 1926

Oct. 22, 2018 WWW.THERANGER.ORG

College holds back part of operational budget, waits for spring Information technology director said cuts make for smarter spending. By Sergio Medina

smedina104@student.alamo.edu

This fall, this college is holding back 30 percent of its operational budget from fiscal year 2018-19 to surmount

potential budget limitations in spring. Every fiscal year, Sept. 1-Aug. 31, the college receives a budget, this year of about $65 million. In an interview Oct. 8, budget officer Larry Rosinbaum said 84 percent of that amount goes to salary and benefits; about 9 percent goes to operational expense; 5 percent goes into charge-

backs from the Alamo Colleges and 2 percent goes into capital, which is dedicated to construction and the purchase of equipment and furniture. “Our district office is the one that decides how much money we’re going to get every year,” Rosinbaum said. “And so the money comes to us and then we have to decide how to allocate it among

all the different organizations here.” He said the 30 percent decrease in the operational budget amounts to approximately $860,000. However, he said calling it a cut is inaccurate. “Dr. (Robert) Vela decided to hold back 30 percent of the budget, internally — here at SAC — not at district,”

Rosinbaum said. “It wasn’t a cut, it was a holdback,” he said. “I mean, we still have those funds. The reason he decided to do that is because of the uncertainty of what’s going to happen.” Factors such as flat enrollment, lower state funding, dual credit and

See BUDGET, Page 2

Tripled student activity fee nets $900,000 for academic year Student Activity Fee Committee approved two club requests. By Andrea Moreno

amoreno439@student.alamo.edu

Biology freshman Jazz Lewis scores 2 points making it a 4-point lead in the first quarter Oct. 17 against the Palo Alto College Palominos in Candler. The Rangers defeated the Palominos 77-62. Brianna Rodrigue

According to the student services activity fee budget summary, the total amount projected for the 2018-19 academic year is $893,811. The money has been distributed into programs, activities, committees and sports, said Mark Bigelow, interim director of student activities Sept. 6. The funds come from the student activity fee, assessed on each student at a rate of $3 per credit hour. Last year, when the student fee was $1 per credit hour, about $273,000 was projected for the entire academic year of 2017-18. The student activity fee budget for club requests was $46,500 for the 2017-18 academic year, Mark Bigelow, interim director of student activities said Sept. 6. The following programs and organizations have been allotted funding from the student activity fee. The student life general activities and events, such as Weeks of Welcome, National Night Out and Halloween festivities were allotted $30,000. The institute co-curricular activities, such as the institute programs of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM); business and public services; creative and communications arts; and health and biosciences; have been given a budget of $80,000. The money will be split differently throughout the academic year to each institute based on any big events, Bigelow said. The institute co-curricular activities programs are something new that has been developed this academic year, and it is still being decided what these programs will be using the budget for, he said. By law, all student activity fee funds are to be used for student activities, not academic purposes, but as the program is new, Bigelow said he doesn’t know what funds will be used for. The civic engagement and service learning programs have been given a combined $20,000 for

events such as a Peace Day Mixer and Constitution Day and will use their budget for items they give away, such as food for students. Building improvements for Loftin Student Center are expected to absorb $75,000 though Bigelow could not identify what the funds will be used for. In the past, funds have been used to remodel the cafeteria and to purchase furniture. The advocacy center where students, faculty and staff can get food, clothing, counseling and emergency assistance has been allotted $20,000. The Campus Activity Board has been given $15,000 for anything the board will host. CAB may use its budget on inflatable rentals for entertainment and some of the funds on the SAC games, said Nicholas Delaunay, liberal arts sophomore and CAB president, on Sept. 19. SAC games is a new event that has CAB partnered with the Gaming Society and the K Club from the kinesiology program. Ninety students participated in the Olympic style activities Oct. 15-18 and participants were to be eliminated until the last three participants are left. Those then compete for the first-, second- and third-place winners, Delaunay said. Extramural and intramural sports have been given $80,000. Each sport of this college, such as the men’s basketball, women’s basketball, boxing, women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer and intramural programming along with cheerleading, has been given $10,000, making the total $80,000. The salaries and benefits for three full-time coordinators and for seven part-time coaches for sports requires another $285,237.49. The three coordinators receive health insurance but the seven part-time coaches do not receive benefits. The two coordinators are student success Coordinator Joseph Liedecke and Bigelow. The third coordinator position is still vacant, Bigelow said. The Student Activity Fee Committee approved in 2006 having the three coordinators and seven

See FEE, Page 2

Events scheduled for Cybersecurity Awareness Week The Tech Store offers virus removal for $10. By Liandre De la Uso

ldelauso@student.alamo.edu

The computer information systems program and office of technology services are hosting events for Cybersecurity Awareness Week Oct. 23-25 to promote safe computer practices at this college. Cybersecurity Awareness Week is part of a national event known as

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was established by former President Barack Obama in 2016. The first event will be 8:30 a.m. Oct. 23 at the Victory Center. Amanda Keammerer, deputy director of Cybersecurity San Antonio, will speak to

faculty, staff and students about the importance of keeping data safe and ways to prevent computer breaches. “We just want File to get the word out there that you have to

be smart when you’re online,” said Yvonne Galindo, instructional technology supervisor for the office of technology services. The second event is an encryption instruction workshop “Encryption Demystified” in which network specialist Manny Rosado will teach the basics of data encryption and its defensive benefits. This event will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 and repeated at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in Room

712 of Moody Learning Center. The Tech Store will host a pop-up shop to offer virus and malware removal for PC and Mac computers for $10. This will be at 10 a.m-3 p.m. Oct. 22-25 in the second floor lobby of Moody. “So we want to make sure that when you’re online, you’re using the proper safeguards,” Galindo said. “We don’t want you to lose everything you have.” For more information, call the office of technology services at 210-486-0030.

News

Oct. 22, 2018

FEE from Page 1

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BUDGET from Page 1 higher expenses all contribute to a lower budget for the college, he said. An example Rosinbaum provided on expenses are the free college classes that were provided last summer under the Summer Momentum Plan, which granted students who earned 18-24 credit hours during the past year to get three to six free credit hours in summer 2018. He said administration will revisit the issue in spring to evaluate the situation, possibly dispersing withheld funds to departments. Rosinbaum added that there are some areas where the budget cannot be cut such as waste removal and office leases. Faculty and staff pay is not affected by the holdback, either. “We have contracts; we can’t cut in those areas,” he said. In spring, tuition will rise an additional $13 per credit hour. Rosinbaum said this should help alleviate problems with budget. With 47 open computer labs throughout this college, the office of technology services is a department that continuously oversees matters that concern students’ proper access to technology and classroom preparedness with devices such as projectors. For Usha Venkat, director of information technology, the holdback in budget is both a good and a bad thing. “Technology budget is a key component of the overall college budget,” she said in an interview Oct. 10. “Pretty much everyone — whether it’s students, faculty or staff — they use technology in some form or the other. “One of our key goals within our department is to make sure that the technology is secure and reliable,” she said. With budget in mind, Venkat said 20 percent of computers on campus must be replaced every five years with more modern models, retaining integrity in security and dependability.

Additionally, machines have to be repaired when technical problems arise, and that does not follow a schedule. The department also ensures there is a proper stock of hardware such as computers, projectors, printers, TVs and repairs thereof. The department also manages warranties and software licenses such as from Microsoft Office. Thus, where budget holdbacks and cuts were concerned, Venkat maintained a neutral stance on the issue. “I’m going to say it’s a good situation and a bad situation,” she said. “I know people will never say that when they get budget cuts.” Venkat said while the situation limits the extent resources can be spent within the department, a lesser budget makes for better cost-effectiveness and deeper research into expenditures. “We are looking into how we can upgrade a computer, for example, without having to spend too much money,” she said. “I talk to my leadership team literally on a weekly basis, ‘what can we do?’ and I get some good ideas from my team. One of those ideas: One of our own technicians said, ‘Instead of replacing on the fifth year, why don’t we upgrade components within the computer like, let’s put a faster hard drive or let’s put more memory into the workstation and that can make a computer last for a longer period and perform at a faster rate.’ So that’s something that we’re looking at right now.” Another idea, Venkat said, was to get more thin-clients, which are centralized computing units and servers transmitting through many monitors. These units are half the price of a regular desktop computer, she added. Venkat said it is not only her department that would be affected by budget limitations, but the college as a result. “I can tell you our administration has been really good,” she said. “They all understand the value of budget within our department.”

which SGA will sponsor throughout the year. coaches get their salaries from the student activThe committee allotted $20,000 to a lecture ity fee. series. The committee decides where the money will The lecture series budget will be used among be allotted. all committees, clubs and organizations. There are three coaches for sports, women’s A reserve of $23,573.51 remains for emergenbasketball coach Haley Capestany, women’s vol- cies, Bigelow said. leyball coach Rauel Pichardo and boxing coach Bigelow said clubs should be reasonable with Hector Ramos. how much they request for projects. “The other positions are not filled yet ... it just At the first fall 2018 Student Activity Fee takes time,” Bigelow said. Committee meeting Sept. 6, five students and The Student Activity Fee Committee desig- four faculty members of this college reviewed and nated $200,000 to award to clubs and student decided on which projects to fund. organizations, $195,000 for club requests and Students who are part of the Student Activity Fee $5,000 for organization benchmarks for fall and Committee for the academic year, were selected by spring semesters. Karen Ortiz, president of the Student Government Only 10 clubs per semester that complete Association and chair of the fee committee. the entire 11-step benchThe following stumark can be awarded a dents are voting mem$250 incentive reward. bers of the committee, However, clubs Diana Flores, American and organizations are Sign Language interpretrequired to complete at er sophomore; Connor WWW.THERANGER.ORG least the first six steps Ghita, biology sophoeach semester. more; Lynette GonzalezThe benchmarks include updates on meet- Vidal, social work sophomore; and Lola Johnson, ings, missions, goals, positions and contact infor- liberal arts sophomore. mation through OrgSync. Ortiz, business administration sophomore, will This also requires updating upcoming events, invite an alternate student voting member, psyposting the roster of members in the club or orga- chology sophomore Brett Douglas, when a regular nization and updating finances, which is all done student member is not available. on OrgSync. The last four voting members are the faculty Officers must also attend a risk management members of this college, Melissa Sutherland-Hunt, workshop and then conduct a 30-minute over- counselor in the student advocacy center; English view of risk management for members in a regular Professor Laurie Coleman; visual arts Professor scheduled meeting. Qing Liu; and ASL Professor Brian Barwise. Clubs that complete the 11 steps this semester, In the Sept. 6 meeting, Sutherland-Hunt was must notify Bigelow by 10 a.m. Nov. 29 to receive not available and Patty Medina, Title V grant coorthe $250 reward. dinator, an alternate voting member, came in to Cultural committees such as Raza Heritage fill her spot. Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Applications to request funding from the Month and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Student Activity Fee Committee are due by Oct. Month have each been allotted $5,000 for a total 25 for consideration in the next meeting Nov. 1. of $20,000. For more information, call Bigelow at 210The Student Government Association has 486-0134. been allotted $25,000 for events such as a zombiethemed 5K Fun Run and Pizza with the President,

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Opinion 3

Staff Managing Editor Sergio Medina News Editors Liandre de la Uso, Rogelio Escamilla Opinion Editor Austin P. Taylor Calendar Editor Andrea Moreno Social Media Editor Brianna Rodrigue Staff Writers Kathya Anguiano, Huguette Buduri, Kimberly Caballero, Feliciano De Haro III, Jason Durant, Julian Gonzales, Blanca Granados, Richard Hernandez, Mardio Lattimore, Giovanni Maccarone, Janie Medelez, Lionel Ramos, James Russell Photo Editor V. Finster Photographer Deandra Gonzalez Photo Team Christina R. Emmett, 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

Amanda Graef

Faculty, engage students with fresh learning methods Students distracted in class — bored, day-dreaming, some falling asleep, some on their phones — actions surely all too familiar to many, concepts that may already have faculty groaning and students smiling as they read this because, yes, it happens often. And then you have instructors like history Instructor Suraya Khan, who teaches historical events to students by having them act out mock scenarios during her HIST 1302, U.S. History 2, course. However, instead of acting out a script, which would be a fresh teaching method as is, students are further involved by being presented with choices and different perspectives as to how to proceed when managing a historical situation. In doing so, they understand the situation from differing angles, and it better ensures the lesson is ingrained into their memories because of active involvement and practice. These are the type of learning methods that ought to be seen in the classroom more often. Engage students so that they may better retain the material they are being shown and have fun with it at the same time. Art instructors have students visit museums like the McNay Art Museum and San Antonio Museum of Art often to understand art concepts and artist styles more closely. Students have free general admission to these museums with an Alamo Colleges ID.

Math, accounting and economics instructors can apply real-life math situations, such as managing personal budgets and taxes. English instructors should let students write essays about their favorite books, movies or video games. Instead of having students read a 30-page chapter weekly, government instructors could have students practice the functions of government bodies in mock sessions during class. Technology instructors might assign students to help and coordinate multimedia events around campus similar to the students in music business Coordinator Donnie Meals’s classes work on the music festival Fredstock in spring for a grade. Sociology instructors could have open discussions about topical information covered in class that relates to outside environments the students reside in. Throughout the disciplines, instructors should encourage or assign part of the course where students can shadow a professional applying relevant knowledge into a labor environment. Have students become familiar with what and where they can apply learned knowledge outside the classroom. Let these teaching methods become more of a rule than the exception. Instead of treating students as passive participants in the classroom, allow them to immerse themselves in the subject. Let them actively apply themselves to make way for better learning, involvement and retention.

Editorial

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-

You’ve registered to vote; now what can you do? Your civic duty does not end Nov. 6.

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, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication

By Nov. 7 Texans will know if they have elected a new senator, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, congressional representatives, seven members of the state board of education, judges, commissioners and many more positions. Your vote is important. You owe it to yourself and your fellow citizens to read up on the issues that concern your community and make your voice heard at the ballot box. Attend the rallies of candidates or incumbents who are asking for your vote or join a campaign to block walk or give rides to the polls. But that only covers what you can do through Nov. 6. The actions of your elected officials will affect you and your community long after the election so you need to take advantage of ways to get your message to officeholders throughout their terms in office. If you want to be able make informed decisions about the policies being enacted on a local and state level, you need to do your best to stay informed and become an active participant in your community. Throughout the year, you should be going to town hall meetings with local officials, joining groups concerned about your issues and reading the news surrounding your local and state governments.

Editorial

of any letter. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@

Letters

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, journalismphotography program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to

Editor:

Letters must be signed and must include the print-

An article in your newspaper titled “Math tutor helps students in four languages” was published Oct. 8, 2018. San Antonio College prides itself on inclusivity and welcoming all, and this article encompasses that value as a whole. It is so important in this age and time to promote inclusivity and equality and these are both present at our college thanks to Maryam Khadivian. Those on our campus who may not have felt represented or welcomed may now feel comforted as they’re being

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.

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Inclusivity strengthens college

210-486-9292. ed name and telephone number. Students should

The San Antonio City Council meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday, except the fourth Thursday of the month, and at 2 p.m. every Wednesday. All of the information for City Council meetings can be found at https://www.sanantonio.gov/ Council/CityCouncilMeetings#215012676-meetings. A calendar of past and upcoming meeting agendas can be found at https:// sanantonio.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx If you would like to run for local office, information on that can be found at https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/ candidates/guide/local.shtml. Go to meetings. Let local officials see you and make them hear you. But your ability to make a difference in the community does not end there. Political activist groups are working throughout the state. Join the groups you feel are best working to make state and local leaders answer your concerns. Write letters, call officials, ask questions and don’t wait until an election is over to take to the streets. Give to your community. Make the people on the top aware of your discontent and support those who listen. It’s going to be hard. The road to meaningful, long-lasting political change always is. But sitting on the sidelines is a luxury no one can afford anymore.

District should focus on enhancing programs, transfers Editor:

spoken to in their home language. There are so many negatives in our media and environment surrounding exclusion and hate, so it is wonderful to see such positivity being spread on our campus. This article should encourage others to use their own multilingual abilities to tutor and empower many more students throughout the Alamo Colleges.

Sonia Guerra Radio, Television and Broadcasting Freshman

This letter is in regards to the “Board approves of 2018-19 property tax rate” posted on Sept. 24, 2018. As someone who often finds himself opposed to increased property tax rates, I find myself reading this article and asking, “Why are they approving this?” If I were on that board, hearing both the topic of increased tax rates and transferable credits, my go-to for

using this revenue would be to create classes that are more transferable to the larger colleges and universities that surround us here in Texas. However, oftentimes I feel like students could have a chance to take transferable credits, just by contacting an adviser. Maybe pushing students toward talking to an adviser is a fine resolution.

Trenton Cole Limon Radio, Television and Broadcasting Freshman

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News

Oct. 22, 2018

Study abroad photos on display Deadline for study abroad for summer is Dec. 7. By Huguette Buduri sac-ranger@alamo.edu About 10 students visited an exhibit of photos taken by students from Alamo Colleges while studying in Italy in summer 2018. The exhibit, sponsored by the district international programs

office, is on display through the end of the fall semester on the third floor of Moody Learning Center. The deadline for applications for study abroad programs for summer is Dec. 7, and the final deadline is Feb. 15.

Communication design sophomore Lesley Nunez talked Sept. 27 about her experience in Italy and answered questions. Six students went on the trip to Italy to study ARTS 1301, Art Appreciation, taught by fine arts Instructor Alfonso Cantu and PSYC 2319, Social Psychology, taught by St. Philip’s College

Instructor Irene Young. Students are required to take two courses and will receive six hours of credit upon successful completion of the program. In Florence, she toured the Uffizi Museum and had a walking tour of Piazza Venezia to Marcello theater. The Uffizi gallery is a prominent art museum located adjacent to the Piazza della Signori in the historic center of Florence.

WWW.THERANGER.ORG/NEWS Piazza Venezia was a central hub of Rome named for Palazzo Venezi. The Marcello Theatre is an ancient open-air theater in Rome. The experience made her grow as a person because it made her get out of her comfort zone to see a new country and cultures, she said. She answered students’ questions about the deadline to apply for scholarships.

Nunez said that going abroad was her first time to fly. She said it was “cool” to see cultures in another country. “I recommend students to get out of their comfort zone and experience new cultures,” she said. For more information, contact Maria Rivera, international programs coordinator, at 210-4850084 or dst-studyabroad@alamo. edu.

College repurposes venue to provide performance, exhibit space to students Guest dancer Cherry Putungan Anabo will perform and lecture Nov. 13 at Main Space. By James Russell sac-ranger@alamo.edu The fine arts program has a new exhibit and performance space in Tobin Lofts, on-campus apartments at North Main Avenue and West Laurel Street. The venue, previously unused space known as the Blackbox, has been renovated and is now called Main Space. The space is in the southeast corner of the first floor of Tobin Lofts. Its original purpose was to show films. With the space not being used, fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt, college President Robert Vela and facilities Director David Ortega contacted Tobin Lofts about using the space.

Renovations began in fall 2016, finished in February 2017 and opened this semester. The reason behind improving the venue was “for the use of the fine art students to showcase their works and do performances,” Hunt said in an interview Oct. 4. “Once the renovation was done, we had put in a portable dance floor. A bunch of professors and staff from the fine arts department had come out to paint the walls and ceiling black, so it would look like an actual ‘black box’ as well as put flooring for a stage and a baby grand piano for music,” Hunt explained. “Painting the walls and ceiling took two weeks to do starting in

November, and the job was completed in early December. “The entire renovation cost $13,000 due to taking out raised seating, carpeting and electrical,” Hunt said. In the storefront of Main Space, sculptures can be seen in the lobby area, which serves as a gallery for students in visual arts, he said. On Sept. 28, the music program started a Main Space concert series and raised $730 for the Friends of Music Scholarship. Music Instructor Daniel Anastasio said, “The new venue will provide an opportunity for world-class guest artists to come to this college, raise the caliber of the music program and attract music lovers to concerts.” Main Space seats about 40 inside the performance hall.

The venue was needed to give student organizations space to create and do their performances, Hunt said. “The location of the building is close to this campus’s backyard, and the intention was to also invite the community to join this college’s activity,” he said. Other programs and other clubs can use the space if they make reservations through the fine arts department. Guest dancer Cherry Putungan Anabo will lecture and perform at 12:15 p.m. Nov. 13. The “Sound Of Bamboo, Music of the Japanese Shakuhachi Flute” with Yodo Kurahashi II will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7. For additional information, call Hunt at 210-486-0255 or email him at jhunt@alamo.edu.

Dance sophomore Halen George practices choreography in a dance performance class to “River” by Bishop Briggs Oct. 16 in Candler. Dance sophomore Lily Solano choreographed the dance for a recital at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in McAllister. The recital is $5 and will include ballet, jazz and modern dance. Brianna Rodrigue