THE RANGER
Vol. 85 Issue 7
Single copies free
Oct. 29, 2010
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
BALLOT BOX 3 PERMITS DOUBLE 6 VETERANS MEMORIAL 16
2 • Oct. 29, 2010
The Ranger
The Ranger •
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Food pantry volunteer Carla Calderon moves coffee Wednesday at the food pantry in the basement of the Catholic Student Center. Tyler K. Cleveland
This issue
3 News
Story by Laura Garcia Photo by Julysa Sosa
Farah and Julysa Sosa
for everyone
20 Trustees’ ignorance
Last day to make your voice heard by voting early
8 Vice president returns
to home campus
13 Professor studies spooks, illusions and delusions
Story by Rachel McKee
Story by Zahra Farah
Story by Abiel Rodriguez
inexcusable Think before moving on new campus
SGA candidacy forms ready to pick up
9 Administrators report
14 Calendar
21 Viewpoint
Story by Joshua Fechter
4 Blotter 5 News
Domestic violence continues all year Story by Creshawna Parker Photo by D.A. James
6 Parking fee doubled with
no promise of more parking
Story by Laura Garcia Photo by Julysa Sosa
7 Students, faculty speak
out about unfair treatment
progress of 25 cost-saving initiatives
Story by Laura Garcia
10 Lecture chronicles America’s gay past Story by Abiel Rodriguez
11 Speech team
scoring fall wins Networks, news set for Monday Stories by Aaron Nielsen
12 Ghost tales on campus Story by Krystal Barcenez Photos by Alison Wadley, Zahra
15 College team takes
International student desires equal treatment
Story by J. Hernandez
Story and Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa
16 PTK honors veterans
22 Letter to the Editor
Story by Joshua Fechter
24 Appetite suppressant
steps to prevent diabetes
with memorial
Story and Photos by Alison Wadley
17 PTK, pantry focus on satisfying hunger
Online
Story by Melody Mendoza
18 People 19 Editorials
Communication a necessity
Bookstore pushes rentals Story by Zahra Farah
Gender changes with culture Story by Jennifer M. Ytuarte
Cover photo: Ghost tales have been reported in Koehler. See Page 12. Photo by Julysa Sosa, Halloween art by Fred V.M. Nockroes III
News
The Ranger
Oct. 29, 2010 • 3
Last day to make your voice heard by voting early By Rachel McKee Today is the last day for early voting in the Nov. 2 election. The Bexar County Elections Department reports 104,049 people have voted as of Tuesday. They also report an estimated 890,000 registered voters will vote on joint general, special and school bond elections on Election Day. To vote in this election, registration by Oct. 4 was required. A voter registration card is helpful to election judges but is not mandatory for voting. A valid state identification card will suffice. The closest early voting location to the college is Via Metro Center, open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through today at 1021 San Pedro Ave. A list of voting locations can be found at www.bexar.org/elections. Four area district representatives to the U.S. Congress are on the ballot. The first statewide race on
the ballot is for governor with four candidates, Republican Gov. Rick Perry, Democrat Bill White, Libertarian Kathie Glass and Green Party member Deb Shafto. Perry’s and White’s websites say they want to make college education “affordable” for Texans. However, under the current $10 billion dollar state budget shortfall, students face a 5 percent tuition increase in spring, an increase in fees and multiple cuts in student services. In January, Perry called for college and university administrators to plan for a 10 percent budget cut. Perry’s campaign website mentions only a tenfold increase in financial aid funding from 1998-99 to 2010-11. In fall 1998, a student paid $288 in tuition and $65 in general fee totaling $353 for 12 semester hours. In fall 2010, students here pay $646 in tuition and $127 in base fees totaling $769 for the same 12 hours.
White’s website promises he will work “to make both two-year and four-year programs more affordable,” by making school bookstores purchase the most affordable textbooks and course material, and using open source and online materials when possible. Running for lieutenant governor, a part of the executive and legislative branches of government required to sign all bills and resolutions, is Republican incumbent David Dewhurst, Democrat Linda Chavez-Thompson, Libertarian Scott Jameson and Green candidate Herb Gonzales Jr. The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Texas Senate and steps in if the governor is absent or unable to perform the duties of the office. Candidates for attorney general, the chief law officer and legal adviser of the state include Republican incumbent Greg Abbott, Democrat Barbara Ann
Radnofsky and Libertarian Jon Roland. Other races on the ballot include the comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the General Land Office, commissioner of agriculture and railroad commissioner Also, three Supreme Court justices, three Court of Criminal Appeals judges, two members of the State Board of Education, two state senators, 10 state representatives, two Court of Appeals district judges, 16 district judges and the criminal district attorney. Countywide races on the ballot include county judge, district clerk, county clerk, 15 County Court judges, two Probate Court judges, two county commissioners and four justices of the peace. A 2010 General Election Voters Guide can be found at www.lwvtexas.org/votersintro.php. For more information or for a registration application, call 210335-VOTE.
SGA candidacy forms ready to pick up By Joshua Fechter Students who want to run in Student Government Association’s upcoming special election must fill out a candidacy packet to be included on the ballot. This special election marks a change from SGA’s typical election cycle: Starting this election, SGA officer terms will last an academic year instead of a calendar year. Candidates will run for the term beginning on Jan. 1 and ending Aug. 31. Students can pick up packets from the office of student life or contact adviser Frances Crawford, writing center coordinator, for an electronic version. To be eligible for candidacy, students must be currently enrolled at this college for at least six hours, have and maintain a grade-point average of 2.5 or more unless they are taking their first semester and not be on administrative hold, academic probation or under suspension
for disciplinary reasons. Students must also submit a photo of themselves for vote guides. The packet asks personal information about the student as well as questions about what they think the campus role of SGA should be, why they want to join SGA, qualifications for the position, what initiatives they believe SGA should continue, how they have represented students in the past and what other organizations they are involved in. Packets are due Nov. 5 in the office of student life or e-mailed to Crawford at fcrawford2@ alamo.edu. Tammy Kothe-Ramsey, SGA president and psychology sophomore, said students would want to join SGA to make a difference on campus. “Students who want to join want to make sure that students are treated fairly,” she said. Kothe-Ramsey said students who seek a career in political science can use SGA as a
springboard. She said good communication skills, empathy and integrity are qualities someone in SGA should possess. “They should be a role model for students,” Kothe-Ramsey said. Sam Huckleberry, SGA vice president and history sophomore, said SGA advocates for the students and anything that helps them. “We are the voice of the students,” he said. Campaigning will last Nov. 8-19. SGA will conduct a candidate forum at noon Nov. 15 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. Online voting will begin Nov. 15. Kothe-Ramsey said she does not know how the online voting will take place, but she thinks it may take place through ACES. SGA meets at 2 p.m. the first three Mondays of each month in the craft room in Loftin. For more information, call SGA at 210-4861430.
Blotter
4 • Oct. 29, 2010
Tip of the week
Courtesy patrol Fact: This semester, 448 calls requested courtesy patrols.
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
Chance. All found to be OK.
her book stolen.
Oct. 15 — Individual reported being robbed in McCreless. Individual refused prosecution. Case closed.
Officer assisted VIA police with an off-campus incident.
Individual reported a vehicle being burglarized in Lot 11. No suspects.
Individual reported a male and female wanting to enter the building after it was secured. Individual reported a student having a seizure in Fletcher. EMS treated the student. Oct. 18 — Individual reported her change purse being stolen from Moody. No suspects. Individual reported his personal vehicle being burglarized in Lot 30. No suspects.
File photo
The Alamo Colleges Police Department website said courtesy patrols can boost a car battery or call Danny’s Roadside Service to unlock a vehicle or “air-up” a flat tire. To request a courtesy patrol, call the Alamo Colleges police dispatcher at 210-485-0099. For more information about crime prevention, visit the police department website at http://www.alamo.edu/district/ dps/seclinks/prevention.htm.
Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
The Ranger
Individual reported vehicle damage in Lot 26 after an attempted break-in. No suspects. Oct. 19 — Officer reported graffiti on exterior wall of McAllister. No suspects. Individual reported a lost parking permit.
Oct. 23 — Individual reported losing his keys in Chance. Individual reported a vehicle accident off campus. Drivers opted not to file a report. Officer reported a group of males skateboarding on campus. NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE Oct. 15 — Individual reported students in the learning resource center after it was secured. Oct. 18 — Individual reported a lost parking permit. Individual reported books being stolen from the bookstore. Oct. 19 — Individual reported personal items being stolen from his wallet in the wellness center. No suspects.
Individual reported graffiti on an emergency phone in science workforce. No suspects. Oct. 20 — Individual reported his vehicle had been burglarized in Lot 8. No suspects.
Oct. 22 — Individual reported a male having a seizure in Ozuna. EMS treated the individual. Individual reported a male and female arguing in Lot 10. All found to be OK. ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE Oct. 15 — Male was found to have an active warrant. Male was transported to the magistrate’s office. Oct. 18 — Individual reported found property in Norris. Item placed in property report.
NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE Oct. 21 — Officer reported two males on the roof of the elevator shaft. Males issued criminal trespass warnings.
Oct. 15 — Individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized. No suspects.
Oct. 22 — Officer reported a male smoking on campus. Male located and departed without further incident.
Individual reported his vehicle had been burglarized in Lot 21. No suspects.
Oct. 19 — Individual reported damage to his personal vehicle. No suspects.
Oct. 23 — Officer reported a male having a seizure in Turbon. Medical treatment was refused.
Officer reported two individuals in a vehicle at Park Place. Witness advised the two were engaging in a sex act for money.
Oct. 20 — Individual reported a vehicle had been burglarized in Lot 9. No suspects.
SOUTHWEST CAMPUS
Individual reported her cell phone stolen. Oct. 22 — Individual reported two people were in the women’s restroom in the same stall in Moody. Individual reported two students refusing to leave the lab in
Oct. 22 — Individual reported finding his office door open in Redbud. Everything in order. PALO ALTO COLLEGE Oct. 14 — Individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 19 — Individual reported
Oct. 18 — Individual reported personal items being stolen from his backpack in the bookstore. No suspects. Individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 22 — Individual reported injuring his shoulder. Campus nurse treated the individual.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 29, 2010 • 5
Domestic violence continues all year Abuse can breed abuse, bullying and suicide. By Creshawna Parker As Domestic Violence Awareness Month ends, advocates want the public to remember that preventing domestic violence is a constant effort. Every day, people are affected directly or indirectly by domestic violence, which manifests in serious injuries and mental health conditions and creates social problems, such as crimes, runaways and bullying. “Kids who bully come from a family where there’s violence inside their house,” said Patricia Castillo, executive director of PEACE Initiative, a local nonprofit assistance organization. “They come to school and exert their position of power, control and abusiveness on somebody weaker than they, and those bullies are the kids who can’t focus and usually create problems in the classroom,” Castillo said. The website www.domesticviolence.org defines it as a pattern of behaviors to control another in a relationship, physically or emotionally, married or not married, heterosexual, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating. Castillo said students dealing with domestic abuse are the ones teachers tend to focus on because they create classroom distractions. She said this is when problems at home become public problems. The child who comes “from a loving home” is not getting the proper attention in the classroom because the teacher is dealing with the “disruptive student,” she said. “These kids are suffering, and
Empowerment Center marches Monday to hang a clothesline of T-shirts with messages in Loftin. D. A. James
the only way they know how to cope with the things that are going on at home is acting out,” she said. Dr. Susan Walsh, a psychologist, said, “Bullying is basically what domestic abuse is — one person bullying the other.” Children learn from what they see at home, but they can develop emotional problems as a result of exposure to domestic violence. “I’ve had a case where the father shot and killed the mother and killed himself right there in front of the kids,” Walsh said. “Although they want to live with relatives, they have to live with that picture in their head all the time.” However, bullying isn’t the only issue children may develop from witnessing or experiencing abuse. “Some children will move away from violence, and some will go toward it,” she said. According to www.psychcentral.com, children who grow up in a home where domestic abuse occurs, have a six times greater chance of committing suicide, 24 percent greater chance of committing sexual assault and a 50 percent greater likelihood of abusing drugs and alcohol. For all those reasons, Castillo said domestic violence is everyone’s problem. “It is our problem; it can’t just be seen it as a private matter,” she said. “Those are the kind of things PEACE Initiative teaches to the community to let them know how devastating this is.” A 2009 study by the Texas
Council on Family Violence showed that 193,505 family violence incidents were reported; 12,213 women and 15,905 children were protected from domestic violence; and 111 women were killed. Eloisa Cordova, education support specialist at Palo Alto College, said, “Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, but women who are pregnant are most at risk of being hurt or killed.” Abuse during pregnancy not only can harm the victim but can also harm the unborn child. Effects include bodily injury, premature birth and low birth weight. Although women lead in statistics of being the most prone to be victims of domestic violence, men are also abused. “I have had male victims come to me about being domestically abused,” Cordova said. “It’s very rare they do come in, but I’d say there’s one male for every 20 females that seeks help.” A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that 30 percent of domestic cases involved men being abused by women. Women in the cases they reviewed kicked, hit or raped men as well as emotionally abusing them by cursing and threatening. The study also showed that although male victims don’t sustain as many injuries as female victims, they do suffer from depression as a result. Walsh said there is a lot of embarrassment in men who are
being abused; there are very strong women who can be abusive. “There was a male victim I had whose wife would hit and throw things at him, cut up his clothes and scratch his car … she did all sorts of things to him because she thought she couldn’t trust him,” Walsh said. “He filed charges against her and eventually, divorced her because she wasn’t willing to do anything different.” Signs to watch for include name-calling, insults, jealousy, isolation from family and friends, threats, humiliation, punishment by withholding affection, or monitoring and controlling another person. Signs of physical and sexual domestic abuse involve hitting or physical harm, rape, threatening a person’s life, damaging property in anger, abandonment in a dangerous or unfamiliar place, use of a weapon to harm someone, and preventing a person from seeking help or medial attention. People who feel they may be in an abusive relationship can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which provides anonymous and confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hotline provides safety planning, crisis intervention, information and referrals to local agencies. “It’s important to talk to someone, especially if you have children, because it not only affects you, but it affects the entire family,” Cordova said.
6 • Oct. 29, 2010
News
The Ranger
Permit fee doubled with no promise of more parking Fee to fund parking construction, preventive maintenance and additional security. By Laura Garcia Trustees voted Tuesday to double the parking permit fee and increase citation rates, but don’t expect more parking at all of the district’s colleges. The $50 rate is effective next fall because of a 5-2 vote, which doubles the rate in one year. District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. and District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante voted against the increase, while District 7 trustee Blakely Latham Fernandez and District 9 trustee James Rindfuss were absent from the meeting. There will be a prorated fee of $25 this spring for students and employees who haven’t purchased the annual parking permit this semester. The increase will bring in $470,000 in preventive maintenance annually and $1 million to fund new parking structures within the district to be built in the next couple of years. The increase will also fund $100,000 annually to pay for more parking security and enforcement. San Antonio College is not expected to gain more parking unless a public-private partnership with the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association goes as officials hope it will. Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association and San Antonio College are in talks about a possible contractual arrangement between the college, which is a public agency, and a private consortium that would meet part of the college’s needs and part of the neighborhood’s needs. The college would provide land to build a parking garage on the vacant lot at Laurel Street and Main Avenue facing Crockett Park. The association and other partners would pay for the project, which would include 1,000 parking spaces and 100,000 square feet designated for a community area or café for student gatherings and educational space. District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. moved for discussion before the board voted and drilled district administrators on the details of the change. Alderete’s concern: How will the funds be allocated? John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, explained that the three colleges in need of additional parking are San Antonio College, Northwest Vista College and Northeast
District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. asks Tuesday which colleges receive priority for parking construction. Julysa Sosa Lakeview College. Strybos said there are no preliminary planning for this college, but Northwest Vista has the “most immediate” need because the district is shuttling students from SeaWorld San Antonio parking lots to the college. According to a parking study delivered by Lockwood Andrews and Newman Inc. this month, the ratio of parking permits sold per space is 5.2 at Northwest Vista, 4.5 at San Antonio College, 4.3 at Palo Alto College, 2.8 at Northeast Lakeview and 0.6 at St. Philip’s College. Not taken into account is the availability of parking in the surrounding neighborhoods, and there is not a method of tracking how many students avoid purchasing a permit. The study does conclude, however, that San Antonio College is “the college with the greatest demand.” According to the presentation, there are plans for a $16 million garage in one to two years for Northwest Vista and a $1 million surface lot or $15 million garage at Northeast Lakeview. Alderete said he wanted to make sure the colleges are equally benefiting from the change. “I know SAC has a tremendous number of students in comparison to the other colleges. Have we made any decision to which would get a new facility first? “What if this public private venture falls apart, does that move them up?” he said. He asked Strybos whether Palo Alto and St. Philip’s were faced with the same parking “headache” and if they were afraid to speak up. Alderete asked whether district administrators or the colleges are making decisions on the
new parking construction. Strybos assured Alderete that the college presidents are speaking up and there are experts evaluating the parking lot needs, and new construction proposals would come back to the board for a vote. Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, explained that the minute order was requesting approval for the increase, which would bring in revenue to pay for future lots. This was the latest chapter in a change that first came to the board March 23 when the rate was raised from $21 to $25. In June, during a Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting, Strybos presented the status of the parking study by Lockwood Andrews and Newman Inc. The College Station civil engineering firm was hired in the January regular board meeting at a fee of $60,000 and was awarded an additional $87,065 to continue its assessment. In the Sept. 14 Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting, district administration turned in a proposal to tax all students a $10 general fee regardless of whether they use the lots and maintain the $25 permit fee for students and employees who park in the lots. Trustees instead voted to research the possibility of a tiered-parking permit fee structure that would have charged students $30, $60 and $90 for different levels of parking access with premier parking closer to buildings. This item was tabled at the Sept. 21 regular board meeting, pending more time to develop a new parking solution. This tiered parking plan and the general fee for all students were not feasible, Snyder explained, and district administrators proposed doubling the parking permit fee at the Oct. 12 Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting. Trustees also passed a change in the citation fee structure. Last fall, 7,747 citations were issued at the colleges. The current fee for citations is $15; in the spring, it will increase to $16. Paying a citation after 10 business days will decrease from the current $22 to $21. The new structure adds a third level for payment after 20 business days. The late payment will be $27 in the spring semester. To watch a video of the regular board meeting, go to www.alamo.edu.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 29, 2010 • 7
Students, faculty speak out about unfair treatment By Laura Garcia Students from this college took issue with the Banner registration system and the right to distribute fliers, and faculty voiced concern about pay and workloads during the citizensto-be-heard portion of the district board of trustees meeting Tuesday. “The Banner system is an issue that just doesn’t seem to go away,” psychology freshman Jacob Wong told members of the Alamo Community College District board. He said many on campus don’t believe it’s realistic to fix Banner in time for spring, but he described the Banner transition as “disheartening” and “frustrating” because many students’ lives were affected. Delays in financial aid availability interfered with their ability to pay bills such as rent, utilities and food, he said. Wong said district administrators referred to this semester as a learning curve, but he said he and this college’s Student Government Association find this “dismissive.” Members of the association stood next to Wong in “We survived Banner” T-shirts and explained that students need a venue where they can express their opinions about changes like Banner and eliminate the “wedge” between faculty, students and district administrators. Although members of this college’s Social Issues Club signed up to speak during citizensto-be-heard, they were not called to the podium until after a presentation on the status of employee diversity. English sophomore Adriene Goodwin told board members about her club being harassed by student life personnel for handing out fliers in the mall. Because this college is public, she believes the club should have the right to hand out noncommercial fliers. “We are legally within our right to leaflet regardless” of any student life policy, she told the board. “Yet, time after time, the forces have tried to silence us.” Erik Dahler, district director of legal affairs, e-mailed a copy of district Policy F.5.4 to The Ranger Wednesday, which stipulates that each petition, handbill, print media or literature must identify the person or group distributing it and must not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic. The policy states that fliers containing lewd, obscene, profane, or libelous material, insulting or “fighting words” or a “true threat” are not allowed to be distributed on college district property. The policy further states that the group or
Rebecca E. Sanchez, chair of diagnostic and invasive health sciences at St. Philip’s, speaks to trustees Tuesday about a change in lab loads affecting pay. Julysa Sosa individual cannot hawk or shout to get their fliers out. It was adopted by the board May 19, 2009. The Student Issues Club fliers complied with this policy. A group of about 18 faculty members from St. Philip’s College spoke to the board about a sudden change in faculty workloads and payment calculation during the citizens-tobe-heard portion of the meeting. The group said they appealed to the chancellor, yet their request was denied. The faculty said St. Philip’s has used a model in which their faculty get paid the same for teaching lab hours as teaching lecture hours. Other district colleges calculate lab hours as two-thirds of a lecture hour. The faculty said Chancellor Bruce Leslie changed faculty contracts in August at St. Philip’s after learning of the inconsistency among district colleges. This required adjusting faculty schedules two weeks into the semester after the schedules had been assigned, they said. Rebecca E. Sanchez, chair of diagnostic and invasive health sciences at St. Philip’s, explained that this change damaged the relationships with adjunct instructors because full-time faculty had to take courses from adjuncts to meet their 15-hour workload. “We were blindsided,” she said. Sanchez explained that it wasn’t safe because the labs have to be supervised. After the board meeting the chancellor said all employees need to be treated the same across the district. “They’re upset. All I’m saying is my job is to ensure consistency at the colleges,” Leslie said. Sanchez said other colleges in the district
are loading their labs 1-1. “Is this consistency?” she asked during citizens-to-be-heard. In the business portion of the meeting, five of the seven trustees present voted on a continuing education tuition increase after much confusion. District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr., District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante and board assistant secretary and District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas voted against a tuition and fee schedule and the item wasn’t approved until it was tabled momentarily and the board clarified what action was being taken. District 2 trustee Denver McClendon attempted to send the item back for reconsideration, but a member of the prevailing side had to call this motion. In the end, Casillas called a motion to approve and Bustamante switched her vote a few minutes later, thus approving the schedule 6-1. District 7 trustee Blakely Latham Fernandez and District 9 trustee James Rindfuss were absent. District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate questioned whether the minute order was set up correctly because although the schedule includes the 5 percent increase in student tuition and an $8 technology fee, the items had already been approved Aug. 19 except the continuing education fee range. The board approved an increase of the minimum and maximum rates to $2.90 and $28 for reimbursable continuing education courses. The fee hadn’t been increased in more than 10 years, and the new rate should cover indirect costs. For more information go to www.alamo.edu.
8 • Oct. 29, 2010
News
The Ranger
Vice president returns to home campus By Zahra Farah
once a week. Emma Mendiola, former chair of counseling Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student and student development, filled in as acting affairs, on loan for eight months to the center assistant vice president of student affairs. for student information, returned Mendiola is going to stay in the Tuesday. office to update Vela on student Vela served as interim director affairs. She also will oversee strateof the district’s center for student gies of behavioral intervention, and information, an amalgamation of train faculty and students on codes the “back end” of the admissions of conduct. process from the five colleges. President Robert Zeigler said The Ranger reported Feb. 18 in for the short term, Mendiola will “Vice president reassigned to CSI,” continue to be acting assistant vice Dr. Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for president of student affairs. Dr. Robert Vela student success, asked if Vela could Vela knew for about a month he move to the center. would be leaving the center. Vela’s responsibility was to oversee the suc“I did what was needed to do; now it’s time cessful combination of five registration portals, come work on this college,” he said. eliminating of duplicate ApplyTexas applicaThe new interim director of the center is Dr. tions and evaluating transcripts. Cynthia Mendiola-Perez, associate vice chanWhile overseeing the center in the Albertsons cellor for student and program development. facility on Pat Booker Road, Vela spent most of One of her first projects was to oversee his time at the center and came to this campus CBM4 reports for the state.
Andy Kesling, assistant director of communications for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, said it’s an annual report state institutions submit on student enrollment, student success and excellence dealing with increasing the number of nationally recognized programs or services at colleges. Vela said this year, the state requested the reports two weeks earlier than usual because colleges are funded by the state every two years, and this year is a base year. The state bases funding on the student population in a base year for the following two years. Reports were due at 5 p.m. Monday, and as far as he knows, they were turned in on time. He said the reports must be flawless. By 2015, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board wants colleges and universities to increase nationally recognized programs, close the gaps in participation rates by adding 63,000 students, and to award 210,000 undergraduate degrees or certificates.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 29, 2010 • 9
Administrators report progress of 25 cost-saving initiatives Full-time-to-adjunct faculty ratio is closer to chancellor’s 50-50 goal. By Laura Garcia Administrators reported to trustees Oct. 16 that cost-saving measures are 32 percent complete and the remainder of $21.2 million in cuts is expected to be realized by the end of the fiscal year. Less than two months into the fiscal year, Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said at a board retreat at Northwest Vista College that $6.86 million has been saved. Twenty-five initiatives were compiled in summer by more than 55 faculty, staff and administrators in several sessions. The 25 initiatives were estimated to yield $2.02 million in savings through cuts; however, to date, $220,000 has been saved, Snyder said. The remainder of $6.64 million was realized through workforcerelated and material cuts. The district saved $5.44 million in workforce-related savings. Contributing is a formal hiring chill, but the district needs to eliminate an additional 83 fulltime employees and 40 full-time equivalent, part-time employees. The district eliminated 130 full-time equivalent, part-time employees and 97 full-time employee positions this fiscal year which ends Aug. 31. The workforce savings are realized through attrition, terminating nonessential temporary staff, increasing class size, hiring adjunct faculty and retirement. Some initiatives are being put on a “watch list.” Workforcerelated savings are on a watch list, Snyder said, because they are now expected to save $9.46 million. The district reduced the furniture and equipment replacement budget to $4.5 million, potentially saving $900,000. According to the strategic ini-
tiatives report, district is cutting mation systems, said Wednesday. $500,000 from marketing and pubCleary estimated that for one lic relations; reduced library funds meeting at Killen Center, with five by $300,000 and printing equip- people from each college, the cost ment and maintenance costs by is about $250 in mileage. “There $300,000. are hundreds, perhaps thousands, Deb Morgan, district director of of employee meetings involving change and organizational devel- faculty and staff each year,” he said. opment, explained that library In addition to the savings in miledeans agreed to reduce spending age costs, Cleary said the software on new materiwill increase als at each colproductivity “There are hundreds, lege. She said by eliminating perhaps thousands, the libraries travel time. of employee ordinarily get a “Chalk up a meetings involving $13 library fee win for technolper student but ogy,” he said. faculty and staff each agreed to $12 to Technology is year.” help pay for the also adding $8 Dr. Thomas Cleary district’s deficit. to the general vice chancellor for planning, She said library fee that is estiperformance and information officials conmated to genersystems tinue to cut. ate a minimum Also on the of $440,000. watch list is a utilities shutdown The board approved the fee during holidays that is expected increase Aug. 19, and, according to to save $100,000. The district is the minute order, it will “increase imposing a new executive approval revenue that will defray the costs of exceptions when an employee of providing instructional services needs a building to remain open. for students” such as Blackboard Snyder estimated the “Alamo Vista, online tutoring, Elluminate, Ideas” or employee incentive Wireless Connectivity and video suggestion plan would bring in streaming. $250,000. Morgan said this is a tarOne initiative that looks unlikeget goal, and the district expects ly to produce revenue this spring, the goal to increase each year Snyder said, is the differential because employees will be able to tuition rates for high-cost proquickly identify ways to increase grams. Last fiscal year, the board efficiency and cost savings. increased program fees for proGoing paperless districtwide grams such as aviation tech pilot, saved $200,000 by posting course fire science technology, dental syllabuses online and restrictassisting, nursing, and water treating paper handouts. Additionally, ment majors. Fees ranged from printing has been outsourced. $295 to $9,210. Students must pay for lab printing. During the summer retreats, A tighter Palo Alto College participants estimated a revenue natatorium budget should save increase of $500,000 for this fis$50,000, while electronic meetcal year for charging students a ings using MyTeamwork software higher fee for enrolling in those should save $20,000. The web- proposed programs; however, the based conferencing utility costs 26 programs have not been evalu$19,980 per year “but has the ated yet. Snyder said the district potential to save us many times needs more time. more than that in travel costs,” Dr. Most of the programs at risk Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for of the fee increase are at St. planning, performance and infor- Philip’s College, including auto-
motive technology, air conditioning, plumbing, welding, electrical and homebuilding. The only San Antonio College program up for review is the drafting program. Medical programs at St. Philip’s, such as sonography, respiratory care, surgical technology, medical laboratory technician and radiography are also pending review as is a faculty compensation study. According to an item on the Aug. 19 board agenda, these programs will require additional documentation of labor demand. Snyder said it’s a lot of data to gather, and “there’s some work to really quantify” which higher cost programs don’t pay for themselves. Board Chair Gary Beitzel said, “What you are saying is we cannot track all the way down to individual programs?” “It will be difficult to obtain separate financial documents for individual programs so quickly,” Snyder said. “We all knew these were estimates,” she said, explaining that the budget retreats were more of a brainstorming process, and not all numbers are definite. Chancellor Bruce Leslie wrote in a memo dated Sept. 17, “Financial pressures are challenging our district” because there was a 6.1 percent increase in enrollment and “fewer financial resources.” Snyder said she plans to report back to the board with updates. “I still think (with) the model we’re doing, we’re going to solve this … but this is our status at this point.” The district’s financial situation led to the board passing Aug. 19 a 5 percent tuition increase estimated to bring in $1.9 million and a property tax increase to an effective rate of .096873 per $100 valuation to generate $5 million. The $6.9 million from the tax and tuition increase will be seen next semester, Snyder said at the retreat. For more information and to see presentations from the retreat, go to www.alamo.edu.
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Lecture chronicles America’s gay past By Abiel Rodriguez The United States has a habit of ignoring the history of its minority groups, and gays are no exception, a history professor said in introducing a lecture during Coming Out Week. Oct. 14, Dr. Jonathan Lee, history chair, in “Gays in America: Recovering Our Past,” focused on the history of gay men and women. Lee began with the absence of gay history in classrooms and textbooks in schools and asked the audience if they were ever taught gay history in high school history classes. The audience of more than 100 stayed silent. Lee showed a clip of a documentary, “The Celluloid Closet,” which shows how homosexuals are portrayed in a negative way in Hollywood.
A 1930s movie clip was of a man and woman ballroom dancing. Another man stops near them and asks, “May I cut in?” The woman leans toward him, but the man dances away with the woman’s partner instead, leaving her irritated. One example Lee gave of how far back homosexuality exists was the relationship between the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his lover Antinous circa 120 C.E. When Antinous died, Emperor Hadrian had statues of him built and placed all over his empire. Then, “homosexual” and “gay” weren’t actual words that people used. He said it wasn’t until 1869 that Austrian psychiatrist Karl-Maria Kertbeny actually came up with the terms homosexual and heterosexual. Gays became more noticeable because more and more people were
moving into cities, Lee said. Gays also began noticing and developed meeting places in big cities like Paris and San Francisco. Prejudice laws in Germany were established by people who didn’t approve; however, there were also people who stood up for their rights. In the 1870s, Karl Ulrichs, an attorney known as the first out-ofthe-closet gay activist, campaigned against German laws prohibiting sodomy. Magnus Hirschfeld established the Sex Institute in Berlin to prove gays were no different from straight people. He tried to repeal a law in Germany that made homosexuality illegal. Lee said World War II was a turning point. Nazis began to prosecute gay men and made them wear pink triangles on their sleeves much
like Jewish people were identified by wearing yellow Stars of David. Lesbians weren’t prosecuted because Nazis didn’t believe they existed. This war was also the first time the U.S. actively banned homosexual behavior in the military. If people in the military were found to be gay, they were dishonorably charged, which made it difficult for them to find jobs. After World War II, gay prejudice in the U.S. intensified, he said. During the Cold War, Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee tried to prosecute many people accused of being members of the Communist Party. McCarthy also took aim at gays, saying they were as dangerous as Communists.
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Speech team scoring fall wins By Aaron Nielsen The college speech team, which has been competing since Sept. 17 in a series of weekend tournaments, has won three first place awards in San Marcos and Fort Worth in the Texas Intercollegiate Forensic Association, in public speaking and oral presentation against two- and four-year schools across the region. The next tournament is Nov. 5 in Fort Worth in competition with Texas State UniversitySan Marcos and the University at Texas in Austin. One of the tougher competitors is UT-Austin, Jolinda Ramsey, speech team coach and speech instructor, said. Winners move on to state finals and nationals. “Working with students and seeing them develop skills in speaking and adapting to a live audience is one of the highlights of my involvement in the speech team,” Ramsey said.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Because of this, gays were shut out of government jobs and considered mentally disabled. This caused many gays and lesbians to go into hiding by getting married. One important figure in the history of gay America that Lee mentioned was Harry Hay, who founded the Mattachine Society in 1950. The group met in secret and used legal means to assist gays who were suffering from oppression. Another momentous event that Lee brought up was the raiding of Stonewall Inn in 1969. At that time, a New York City law prohibited bars from serving alcohol to homosexuals. Stonewall was a gay bar operated by the Mafia. Homeless teens also went to the bar to mingle with the customers. Mattachine Society members would go to bars accompanied by the press and ask bartenders to give them drinks as a form of protest. On the morning of June 28, 1969, police raided the bar. The teens in the bar started to fight back, and a riot broke out. For several nights after the raid, people gathered near Stonewall and rioted in the streets, which launched a movement for gay rights in America. Thousands of gay men and women “came out of the closet” and demanded equal rights. Once gays began to press for their rights, the American Psychological Association removed
Stephanie Boyd, a speech communications sophomore, said, “I love being part of the team. We all have tons of fun teasing each other and traveling all over Texas.” The team uses travel time to play, practice and relax. Boyd said being on the team is beneficial. “It has taught me how to be more comfortable speaking and presenting in front of people … and positively impacted my personality and communication/social skills.” Boyd placed second in duo interpretation in the Newbie Novice Tournament on Sept. 24 at Tarrant County College. She and her partner since July, Jeremy Carrivales, performed “Celebrity Autobiographies: In Their Own Words.” Performing may be nerve-racking for some, but as Boyd explains, it’s a minor setback. “It’s easier to feel comfortable if you know and love your pieces. I also love to get to know my competitors as friends,” Boyd said.
homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a mental illness. Despite objections, a vote settled the matter in 1974. In the 1980s, the media began running stories on HIV and AIDS, calling it a gay man’s disease. When straight people began to be infected, AIDS activists began pressuring the government to act. In 1986, the Bowers v. Harwick determined ruled that it was illegal to have anal or oral sex in the state of Georgia but was overruled by a higher court in 2003. Lee also mentioned events that were important to gays in the 1990s. In 1993, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy prohibited openly gay people from serving in the military. In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act allowed states to disregard same-sex marriages approved by other states. Lee said that more victories have been seen in the past 10 years. In 2003, the Lawrence v. Texas case struck down a law that prohibited gays from having sexual relations. Lee also said that the media is helping gain gay acceptance through television shows like “Queer Eye For the Straight Guy” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” He ended by saying that he thinks the United States is 50-50 on the issue of gay rights and that gays still have a long way to go to achieve equal rights.
Oct. 29, 2010 • 11
Networks, news set for Monday By Aaron Nielsen A national board member of the Society of Professional Journalists will address networking and its relationship to journalism and the news industry Monday. Kym Fox, senior lecturer and journalism sequence coordinator for Texas State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will appear at 1 p.m. in Room 101 of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building. She teaches reporting and opinion writing. Kym Fox Fox, one of two academic representatives to serve on the board, was recently elected as an adviser-at-large to the national board of directors of the society. Before she joined the Texas State faculty in 2002, Fox was deputy metro editor of the San Antonio Express-News. She has a master’s degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and has been a member of the Society of Professional Journalists since her undergraduate days at Arizona State University. “A lot of the contacts you make in college can stay with you for life.” Throughout her career, Fox has covered many beats. Her main focus in San Antonio was child abuse cases, reporting on county and district courts for about 10 years. “Now is a great time to be a journalist,” Fox said. “Although technology has brought about changes in the industry, there will always be forms of investigative reporting. Newspapers are not just that dead tree but one of the great institutions of our society.” Fox also will discuss the relationship between the journalism program here and at Texas State University and the ease of transfer. “Print journalism will always exist, despite recent changes,” Fox said. “A movie is still a movie no matter what medium it’s viewed on, an iPhone, a DVD, or from the Internet. “We still have The New York Times, just in different formats.” For more information, call 210-486-1773.
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12 • The Ranger
Lights luminate Moody at midnight Tuesday. Construction workers said they have heard strange noises on the fifth floor. Photo by Alison Wadley
Koehler Cultural Center at 301 W. Ashby inspires many reports of lively activity during early
Ghost tales Neighbors have complained about seeing an old woman on a balcony in the middle of the night. By Krystal Barcenez
Spooky apparitions have been reported in Koehler. Photo Illustration by Zahra Farah
This time of year, ghost stories and tales of hauntings abound, spreading chills in those who hear the creepy accounts; however, there, are those who actually experience these feats of paranormal activities throughout this college. Housekeepers in three buildings have reported incidents of unexplained activity ranging from strange noises to distinct voices to footsteps on staircases and slamming restroom doors. Sylvia Morales, custodian for three years, recalls the feeling of a malicious spirit inhabiting Halloween decorations in McAllister Fine Arts Center. “Once, I saw some sort of body, like
a doll thrown in a trash can with cuts covered with red paint around its neck,” Morales said. She was working with another custodian who also remembers the incident. Morales Scary Fairy said there had been trash flung over GayPride SA celebr raises funds for Gay P the doll, but on secincluding this college’ ond glance, Morales Association, at 7 p.m. noticed the lifeless doll A $3 donation is sugg entertainment and a co had changed position up for the contest befo and seemed to stare Antonio Strip informat or visit www.GayPride Morales in the eye. Because of her strong faith in God, Morales said she isn’t scared of many things. “I have always believed in God, and I am a good believer, but Halloween decorations I do not like.”
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Professor studies spooks, illusions and delusions James Cook conducts séances to see reactions. By Abiel Rodriguez
early morning hours. Photo by Julysa Sosa
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Custodians and secretaries on offices in the first and fourth floors in Moody Learning Center have also reported hearing strange voices. Molly Vara, a custodian for six years, said, Fairy Block Party “I remember once, a secretary came out of celebrates Halloween and Gay Pride SA charities, their office and asked ollege’s Gay and Lesbian me if I needed any7 p.m. Sunday on North Main. thing because I was suggested. There will be nd a costume contest. Sign knocking on the door.” st before 10 p.m. Call the San Vara said she hadn’t formation line at 210-227-2789 yPrideSA.org. knocked, and when she looked around the floor, she found no one. gs. “I Most encounters were reported in Koehler good Cultural Center at 310 W. Ashby. Construction o not dates to the early 1900s. Custodian Janie Rodriguez said around 5
a.m., she hears whistling and female voices on the first floor and melodies playing from the piano though no one is in the parlor. Vara said about three years ago, residents around Koehler with a view of the second floor balcony level complained to housekeeping, asking “Why we would just leave an old lady on the balcony at night, but there is no lady when we go there.” Custodian Sean Kirk has also reported seeing the woman, sometimes flying. Otto and Marcia Koehler, the last residents of the house, deeded the estate to the college district after Otto Koehler’s death in 1969. Since then, Koehler has been a busy venue, renovated several times and maintained by the housekeeping staff. The Victorian Mansion is rented for weddings and the college uses it for special events and office space.
Psychology Professor James Cook doesn’t believe in ghosts. “Skepticism is the first step toward wisdom,” Cook said Wednesday. He comes from a magic background, so he knows how tricks can make people think they are experiencing something that’s out of this world. Nevertheless, Cook has performed séances in his house for entertainment purposes. “You sit people in a circle in a pitch-dark room holding candles and make everyone blow out their candles,” Cook said in detailing instructions on how to conduct a séance. “See what happens after 15 to 20 minutes; you might be surprised.” He said it’s preferable to tell a spooky story before the séance and to conduct it in an spooky, old house that has some history to it. Cook practices séances for the experience, but others don’t take these activities as lightly. Brenda Meneses is the office administrator of the Methodist Student Center. “As Christians, we don’t participate in Halloween,” she said. “We have harvest festivals instead.” The harvest festival, a celebration at the end of the traditional growing season, helps keep kids safe by keeping them out of the streets and provides them with other fun activities. With Halloween coming, people will be on the lookout for a glimpse of a ghost around town in places rumored to be haunted. San Antonio Ghost Tours guide people through haunted locations in downtown San Antonio. Guides distribute thermal meters and dowsing rods to everyone in a tour group to help track ghosts. Places like the ghost tracks near Stinson Field, the “donkey lady bridge” near Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Chinese cemetery off South Zarzamora Street, and the Menger Hotel on Alamo Plaza are well-known locations for people looking for a chance to experience the paranormal. “It’s a natural tendency for people to explore the unusual and extraordinary,” Cook said, “especially around Halloween.” To join a $15 downtown ghost tour, visit www. alamocityghosttours.com.
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HEALTHY WOMEN & MEN AGES 21-54 that drink beer, wine, or mixed drinks are needed for participation in research studies.
Participants will be compensated for their time and travel. Volunteers should drink 1 to 4 days each week. Participation will last from 7:30am to about 7:30pm for 6 to 8 weekdays across a two week period. Participants may also be invited to participate in weekly visits that last for 30 minutes to 1 hour over 16 weeks. Volunteers must be height/weight proportionate. For more information, please contact Dina at 210‐567‐2752.
For coverage call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
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in Room 318 of academic instruction center Continues Thursday. Call 210-4860197.
Today SAC Event: “Women in Policing” with San Antonio Police Department recruiting from 9 a.m.-noon in Loftin. Call 210-486-0422. SAC Event: 3-on-3 basketball 1 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Virus themed haunted house by the Onstage Drama Club 7 p.m.-11 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0492. Sunday PAC Event: Children’s Halloween celebration at 1:30 p.m. in Children’s Library in Ozuna. Call 210-486-3561. Monday NVC Event: Día de los Muertos art show, altars and memorial wall in Palmetto foyer. Continues through Nov. 14. Call 210-3260667 SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club 1 p.m. in Room 111 of chemistry and geology. Call 210-486-0063. SAC Club: Cheshyre Cheese at 3 p.m. in Room 100 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Society of Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists at 3:30 p.m. in the MESA study center in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-1309. Tuesday SAC Drive: Blood drive 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Room 101 of nursing dedicated to the memory of students Scott Foss and Briaramae Francis. Continues We d n e s d a y. Call 210-4860412.
SAC Worship: Campus Crusade for Christ at 1:30 p.m. in Room 119 of chemistry and geology. Call 210-486-1233. SAC Meeting: Society of Women in Engineering at noon in MESA center in Room 204 of Chance. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210-486-1309. SAC Hot Potato: “What Makes a Citizen? Birthright vs. Naturalization” with Marshall Lloyd at noon at the Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441. Wednesday NVC Event: Major Mania 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Rooms 121 and 122 of Lago Vista. E-mail mgarcia1193@alamo.edu. PAC Event: Job fair 9 a.m.-noon in the college student center. Call 210-486-3123. SAC Event: Eight-ball pool 1:30 p.m. in game room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Audition: SAC’s Got Talent tryouts 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin; show at noon Nov 10. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association at 3 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Call 210486-0673. SAC Meeting: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science at 3 p.m. in MESA center, Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-0342. SAC Sports: Women’s and men’s basketball vs. PAC. Women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. in Candler. Call 210-4860125. Thursday
S A C Meeting: Students in Free Enterprise 9:25 a.m.
SAC Sports: Women’s volleyball vs. PAC at 7 p.m. at PAC. Call 210-4860125.
SAC Event: Leadership forum sponsored by student life at 1 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues Nov. 9. Call 210-486-0127. Nov. 5 Event: Fall Symphony Night: Gershwin and Ravel sponsored by San Antonio Education Partnership 8 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston. $8 students, $21.75 for faculty and staff. Call 210-486-0121. SAC Event: Coffee night and open mic sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese at 6:30 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. Nov. 8 SAC Sports: Women’s volleyball vs. PAC at 8 p.m. at PAC. NLC Event: Blood drive 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in Lot 7. Call 210486-5404. Nov. 10 SAC Sports: Women’s and men’s basketball vs. Southwest Texas Junior College. Women at 6 p.m., men at 8 p.m. at Southwest Texas Junior College, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Lecture: Smoking Cessation with Nicole Townsley from the American Cancer Society 11 a.m. in the craft room of Loftin. 210-486-0125. Nov. 11 SAC Play: “The King Stag” by Carlo Gozzi, directed by Ronald L. Watson at 11 a.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Continues Nov. 12. Call 210486-0494.
Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College
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College team takes steps to prevent diabetes “85 miles for 85 years” commemorates college anniversary. By J. Hernandez
©2010 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. All rights reserved.
This Saturday, the American Diabetes Association is stepping out to stop diabetes. The college Wellness Committee has put together a team to participate in the second annual Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes at Brackenridge Park. Chris Dillon, kinesiology instructor and Wellness Committee coordinator, will be heading up the college’s team this year. The first 25 volunteers will get a free T-shirt. “Our goal is to raise $200 for the ADA,” he said. The diabetes association goal for this event is $217,000,” Dillon said, noting it is to fund research, raise awareness, educate and promote healthier living. Along with the walk, Dillon is heading up the “85 miles for 85 Years” project, which involves 118
participants walking 85 miles before Dec. 14. tes cases in the United States. Participants e-mail their progress reports each Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent to Friday and those who achieve the 95 percent of all adults diagnosed 85-mile goal will receive a T-shirt. with diabetes. It is common for Symptom Dillon said some have already people with Type 2 diabetes to checklist surpassed the 85-mile goal. show no symptoms. • Frequent urination The American Diabetes The complications from • excessive thirst Association website states 23.6 untreated diabetes increases risk • extreme hunger • unusual weight loss million Americans live with Type for numerous health problems. • increased fatigue 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Major complications include • irritability This number includes both amputation, bacterial and fungal • blurry vision children and adults. infections, heart disease, hearing • frequent bruises, Diabetes is a disease that preloss, gum disease, kidney disease, cuts or infections • slowness in healing vents the body from producing or peripheral arterial disease and • tingling, numbness properly using insulin, a hormone stroke. in hands and feet that converts sugar, starches and For more information or to • recurring skin, gum other foods into energy for the the join the college team, see or bladder infections body. Dillon in Room 131E of Candler If any or all of these Diabetes goes undiagnosed Physical Education Center or call symptoms occur, because many of the symptoms 210-588-1936. consult a doctor. seem harmless. For more information on diaType 1 diabetes accounts for betes, visit www.diabetes.org/ only 5 percent to 10 percent of all known diabe- stepoutsanantonio.
16 • Oct. 29, 2010
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PTK honors veterans with memorial Honors group plans children’s book drive. By Joshua Fechter To honor veterans of the U.S. armed forces, this college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter will unveil a veterans memorial at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 in the mall near the chemistry and geology building. The memorial will consist of a marble slab in the shape of a pentagon, displaying the insignia of each branch of the armed forces. “I promise to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign or domestic” will be engraved in the center. “They ensure our rights as protected by the U.S. Constitution,” John McClellan, PTK president and psychology sophomore, said. Campus veterans, their families and friends are invited to take part in the unveiling. PTK also invited Angel Vasquez, commander of Post 76 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to attend. Post 76 is known as the oldest post in Texas. McClellan said PTK students had the idea for two years, but the actual project began in February. PTK plans to host a fundraiser at VFW Post 76 at 6 p.m. Nov. 27. PTK is an international honor society of two-year colleges, junior colleges and associate degree programs offered by four-year colleges. According to its website, PTK’s mission is to promote scholarship of two-year college students and provide personal growth and development opportunities for individuals by participating in honors, leadership, serving their community and fellowship programming. To be eligible for membership, students must have a 3.5 grade point average, have completed at least 12 hours of coursework, be
enrolled in at least six hours, and receive an invitation for membership from this college’s Beta Nu chapter. Members must complete eight service hours. Thirty-six people were inducted this semester. Members benefit through exclusive scholarships and PTK’s online transfer program. Every semester, each chapter must undertake an honors project. This semester, this college’s chapter’s project is entitled “Democratization of Information: Power, Peril and Promise.” Grace Viera, PTK recording secretary and computer network administration sophomore, said they have yet to narrow the specific topic, but are considering three potential topics: how assimila-
tion of information affects individuals and their community, the relationship between information and education and how sharing information has evolved. Viera said the organization is not sure how it will present the project to fellow students. This college’s chapter also will host a regional meeting of chapters at 9 a.m. Nov. 6 in Room 213 in nursing and allied health complex to discuss their individual honors projects.
Viera said they expect 75 to 100 people to attend. This college’s chapter will collect childrens books for the local Ronald McDonald House starting Nov. 6. Anyone can bring gently used children’s books and school supplies. P T K meets at 4 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 234 of Nail Technical Center. For more information, contact club adviser Susan Spencer at 210486-0431 or visit www.ptk.org.
We’re looking for a few good men and women Share a veteran’s tale in The Ranger sac-ranger@alamo.edu
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Oct. 29, 2010 • 17
PTK, pantry focus on satisfying hunger All students and employees are eligible for assistance at the pantry. By Melody Mendoza The food pantry in the Catholic Student Center will be open solely to Alamo Colleges students, faculty and staff starting Monday. Economics Professor Susan Spencer said Oct. 26, “When you’re new, we need to see that you’re connected to the colleges, just once.” To be able to use the food pantry, go to the center, fill out an application and present your college ID. “Other than that, we rely on the honesty of the people,” she said. Spencer said she started the project as a service learning assignment for her economics class in fall 2008. After doing research on hunger in San Antonio, Spencer said Aug. 8, “We were surprised to see college students were included. Students were dropping out (because of hunger issues).” Spencer is also an adviser of Beta Nu, this college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. PTK primarily runs the food pantry. Their motto is “feed a body, feed a mind,” Spencer said. She said it fits well with the service provided at the food pantry. “Phi Theta Kappa took over the pantry, while students in my service learning class helped build it and work at it,” Spencer said. The pantry gets supplies from food drives and private donations and is an agent of the San Antonio Food Bank. “We get a lot of food from the food bank for free or for cheap,” Spencer said. College Connections recruiter Audrey Grams said the San Antonio Food Bank is running low on food;
therefore: they need volunteers to ing coordinator at this college, donate food. nominated the pantry in the food “The shelves are bare,” she said. and shelter category. “We have money in our account, With the money, Grams said but there isn’t food to buy.” Oct. 22, the chapter bought a “chest The pantry used to serve the freezer, stand-up freezer, refrigeradistrict and residents in the 78212 tor with freezer and paid for some ZIP code, but a high demand repairs on a donated refrigerator.” forced changes. She said it also paid for insurSpencer said the pantry was ance for the building and the peoserving more than 60 people a day ple who get food there. in the last three months, and it was She said they still have $1,000 wiping out their stock. left over. She said they want to make Spencer said Aug. 8, the funds sure students will be put and staff to good use The food pantry is open who come because the pannoon to 4 p.m. Wednesday after work try plans to buy and Thursday in the get served so turkeys for the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. they changed Thanksgiving For more information hours. and Christmas call Audrey Grams at 210Spencer holidays. 486-0763 or Susan Spencer said starting Each month, at 210-486-0431. next week, Pepsi awards up the pantry to 32 grants to will be open from noon-4 p.m. “people, businesses and nonprofits Wednesday and Thursday in the with ideas that will have a positive Catholic Student Center. impact,” the project’s website at “If we fill up, we will expand www.refresheverything.com reads. back to Tuesdays,” she said, addBeta Nu was one of 10 from the ing the operation hours will be “food and shelter” category that reviewed to make sure the pantry won for July. is available to those who need it Pepsi gives 10 grants in the when they can get to it. $5,000, $25,000 and $50,000 catShe said they will wait to see if egories and two grants in the there is a better time. $250,000 category, every month to Other contributors and volun- organizations in six main causes: teers of the pantry include other health, arts and culture, food and campus groups, such as the busi- shelter, the planet, neighborhoods, ness administration department and education. and architecture program, and “I learned about the Pepsi faculty. Refresh Grant Program through “It takes a village to support,” Facebook,” Grams said Aug. 9. she said. “I looked into the whole grant To be a member of PTK, stu- process and saw that a few food dents must have a 3.5 or better pantries were winning in the $5,000 GPA, have completed 12 hours and category, so I thought I could go for must be currently enrolled in at one, too.” least six hours. An important comThroughout the campaigning ponent of membership is commuto promote the food pantry, Grams nity service. discovered that teams could form In summer, the food pantry alliances with other teams, and won a $5,000 grant in the Pepsi they would promote each other. Refresh Project grant program. “I started an alliance in the Grams, formerly service learn- middle of May, which landed us in
a 23 spot at the end of May,” Grams said. “In June, we started at No. 1.” Voting for Beta Nu’s food pantry opened on May 1, and in April, Grams and Beta Nu worked together to get votes. “I posted a lot of Facebook walls, sent out e-mails and wrote to all the media,” Grams said. “I was on ‘Great Day SA’ and was interviewed at Clear Channel Communication.” Once a group is nominated, anyone with an e-mail address can vote for projects they think will have a positive impact. Grams said she nominated the pantry for the $50,000 Pepsi grant last month, but it wasn’t accepted. She said contestants can submit their idea as many times as they want, so PTK members plan to all submit the pantry at midnight Sunday. She said it takes a month to review, and if they get in, they will be eligible for December’s grant. This semester, Grams was moved to a position under evening, weekend and distance education, recruiting high school students to this college and the district. Although Grams said she cannot be as involved as she used to be because of her position change, she said she is still going to volunteer and help when she can. She and Spencer attended Food for SA, a kickoff event for food banks, where they met potential donors. Grams said Security Service Federal Credit Union is a potential donor. The donors can contribute money or food. Also, because the pantry won the Pepsi grant, Grams said Pepsi donates free product. “They delivered 100 cases of Crush soda and Starbucks coffee,” she said. For more information about PTK or the food pantry, call Grams at 210-486-0763 or Spencer at 210486-0431.
18 • Oct. 29, 2010
People
The Ranger
Education sophomore David Rodriguez takes a picture of education sophomore Tim Holt and photography sophomore John Gallegos Oct. 21 east of Loftin. Gallegos says he comes to school dressed as Waldo, from the books “Where’s Waldo?” a few times a week. Alison Wadley
Ruth Buentello, mural coordinator of San Anto Cultural Arts (second from left), explains to English Professor Claudio San Miguel’s students the importance of murals on Trinity Street on the West Side of San Antonio Oct. 23 during a San Anto Cultural Arts walking tour. The walk marked the end of Hispanic Heritage Month. Carmen Sanjuan
Above: Illustration design freshman Natalie Johnson gets weighed by Tianhao Song, Chemistry Club vice president, Oct. 22 in Loftin. The club converted Natalie’s weight from pounds into moles in celebration of Amadeo Avogadro’s discovery. Noel Bracy Liberal arts sophomore Debbie Webster eats Wednesday while dressed up as the White Queen from Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” with Jennifer Briggs, education sophomore, in Loftin. Student life will host a costume contest at 11 a.m. today in Loftin. Tyler K. Cleveland
The Ranger
Editorial
Oct. 29, 2010 • 19
Juan Carlos Campos
Communication a necessity for everyone An ideal quality of any organization, whether it is academic or business, is to know how to communicate and deliver to constituents. Alamo Colleges at the district- and college-level have failed to communicate with employees, students and taxpayers what budgets cuts actually entail. In time of cuts in student services, rearranging of departments and loss in staff, people deserve to know what is going on. Colleges are cutting tutors, hours at the English and SLAC lab, laying off work studies, cutting library resources, discontinuing note-takers for students with disabilities, and adding more responsibilities to faculty and staff without providing the resources to be successful. These problems did not start at the district level, but resulted from the state Legislature continually cutting education spending. The state, which has an $18 billion shortfall, is cutting 15 percent in state appropriations for the next three years, meaning Alamo Colleges has to cut at least $21 million. What has the state done to actually
better higher education? Nothing. Gov. Rick Perry is driving this train wreck. Texas legislators seem intent on making sure every kid is left behind. And what have their constituents done to better the situation? It’s sad to say, but they, too, have done little to nothing. Faculty and staff strive to rehabilitate students underserved by public education while their workloads expand with busy work that takes them away from the college district’s stated mission — empowering our diverse communities for success. Trustees also seem to have lost sight of the district’s stated vision — the Alamo Colleges will be the best in the nation. For their part, students watch as services they need and rely on are cut while the cost of education rises. And taxpayers seem oblivious to the most important task of any society — preparing its children for the future. When we are dissatisfied, we need to show it. But grumbling to one another won’t get the job done. Complaints, concerns and suggestions need to constantly be fostered
for change to occur. Last fall’s faculty revolt was noisy but mostly ineffective. While riled, warnings were issued to trustees about re-election, yet one incumbent didn’t even face a challenger. Coming together and getting riled up for a cause is powerful, but more powerful still is actually staying active and aware. The same parade of state senators and representatives travels to Austin again this spring. The litany of excuses for inaction is endless: I don’t have time. I don’t know enough about it. I don’t want to get involved. I wouldn’t know what to say. I don’t vote. I don’t care. The problem seems to be communication. Despite pronouncements to the contrary, the only clear message coming from the state seems to be education has little value. It’s up to each individual to communicate to administrators, trustees and state officials that value. Start with the college presidents and your representative on the board of trustees. You can find their contact information on Page 23.
20 • Oct. 29, 2010
Editorial
The Ranger
Think before moving on new campus
The board of trustees conducts business at the regular board meeting Tuesday. Julysa Sosa
Trustees’ ignorance inexcusable Two trustees last week said board members of the Alamo Colleges don’t realize the effects of their decisions because district administrators don’t communicate college problems to them. At the board retreat Oct. 16, trustees and college administrators declined to begin planning for a North Central campus on land purchased years ago for that purpose. Although postponement is wise, the board concentrated on costs and enrollment projections, annexation and tax revenue, bond packages and attendant debt. But where was the discussion about how development of a new college would affect services to current students and the quality of their education? During construction of first Palo Alto College, then Northwest Vista College and recently, Northeast Lakeview College, students here and at St. Philip’s College bore the brunt of reallocation of funding to fill new libraries, furnish new classrooms and offices, and stock supply rooms. Palo Alto also faced this with the development of the last two colleges.
District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. and District 7 trustee Blakley Latham Fernandez Oct. 19 seemed surprised to hear Banner’s battering of faculty, staff and mostly students this fall. They were shocked at the deep cuts to student services and unaware of how much the college was suffering because they were never provided this information. Fernandez said she only hears of problems at the colleges when frustrated parents call her, she reads the college’s Facebook page or reads The Ranger. Trustees needn’t remain clueless. They are charged with formulating policy and prohibited from participating in procedure, but how do you formulate policy when you have neglected your oversight duties? As elected officials, you have constituents, the most important of whom are attending district colleges. The more then 60,000 students. When was the last time you spoke to a student? Visit the colleges once in a while — they are public property. You don’t need an invitation and you don’t need permission.
Chancellor Bruce Leslie raised the idea of building a North Central campus to relieve an increase in students at Northwest Vista College in the Oct. 16 board budget retreat. Fortunately, trustees did not jump on the idea of building a new campus, when the district is planning to cut more than $21 million in the next three years because of state appropriations cuts. There is more than one solution. Relieving Northwest Vista’s crowding could be as simple as offering more night and weekend classes. Northwest Vista parking lots are empty on the weekends; the campus is practically empty on Fridays as well. Why make room for more students when the district isn’t providing for the students we have now? The chancellor may think we need another campus, but there is little to indicate it would bring a greater chance of success to the students who have already paid their tuition. This semester alone, the district has increased tuition by 5 percent for spring 2011; property tax adding $5.77 per year to a home valued at $100,000; the general fee; and parking citations while doubling the price of parking permits. Administrators have even dipped into the rainy day fund to the tune of $4 million to support the maintenance and operation of 24 new buildings in the district — something no one thought to budget for ahead of time and even expanding the police force. Existing buildings are barely being maintained. All those administrators the chancellor insists we need are good at spending, but who is budgeting? Learn to work with what we have before focusing time and energy on something new.
The Ranger
Viewpoint
Oct. 29, 2010 • 21
International student desires equal treatment Re: “Shadow of undocumented entry looms” by Joshua Fetcher in The Ranger Oct. 18: I almost cried reading this sentimental story about one illegal immigrant who crossed the Mexican-American Viewpoint and border. I understand illustration by Alexandra Nelipa that he escaped from a terrible life in Mexico, but he illegally entered the United States. There are ways to come to this country legally. He did not do that but got everything he wants at once. It seems to me this story tells us that illegal immigrants have more rights than international students in this country. According to the article, “A college representative gave him a state number, a number for international students who do not have a Social Security number so they may register for classes.” How easy! For people who want to get that status by legal means, it is more complicated. First of all, they have to be accepted by the college, obtain an I-20 student visa from an American university, then collect documents that prove financial ability to pay tuition. After that, they have to pay SEVIS $200 and $130 for a visa. In Ukraine, that is more than the average monthly salary. Then, they go to the U.S. consulate for an interview, and an officer will decide if they qualify for an F-1 visa. Next quotation: “He does not receive any financial aid or scholarships and pays for his education out-of-pocket with earnings from his job at a car wash.” That means he got a job without a Social Security number and permit. The job was hard, but it let him pay college tuition. I wish I could have job like that! But international students have very strict rules for getting a Social Security number and job permit. The brochure “International Students Guide For Maintaining Status” states: An F-1 student
may request off-campus employment work authorization based on economic hardship.” It goes on: “Prove to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) that employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.” With reference to the article, the student benefited from Texas HB 1403, which allowed him to pay in-state tuition. This is just wrong to use Texas taxpayer money to pay for an illegal immigrant’s tuition. Oh sorry, he is undocumented, not illegal, but is that not the same thing? This political correctness is called double talk. “The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act is legislation that would grant certain undocumented students six years of conditional citizenship.” So, how about the same options for international students who do well to study and do not commit crimes. “Ultimately, José (Sierra) is grateful to his mother and wants to take full advantage of the opportunity she gave him by bringing him to this country.” Sure! How about family immigration law? Here is
my situation: My mother is a citizen of America and has applied for me for family immigration. However, I have to wait at least seven years to get an immigration visa in this manner. He was reminded in September when his brother Victor was deported after an arrest. “I don’t want that to happen to me,” José said. He has not had any trouble with the authorities and wants to keep it that way.” Such a good example for other people abroad to just cross the border illegally — it looks like: “Hey guys, come to the U.S. Do not do any crime, and the U.S. will support you on your illegal way!” This situation isn’t just unfair to international students. Here is an opinion I found from an American citizen in an Internet forum: “Now, the guy in the story you told is the reason why Americans are angry. Most hardworking legal families don’t qualify for these handouts, and we live here legally and pay plenty of taxes. When our schools and hospitals and everyone’s wallets are hurting, should anyone expect us to want to help people who are causing the hurt economy. Yes, his was a sad story, but now many other Americans are paying for that guy. No one asked us if we wanted to. We have rights in this country that our government is ignoring. For instance, border security. Had our government not been playing politics with our lives, federal immigration laws would have been enforced, and our borders would be secure. “The fault of the young man is that he came illegally, but the people who helped him to obtain illegal papers so that he pays instate tuition and also found him a job are more at fault because he is working without paying any taxes, income tax and Social Security tax. So those persons ... should be in jail for furnishing illegal papers to illegal aliens.” Equal rights for everyone.
Letter to the Editor
22 • Oct. 29, 2010
Double fee too much Editor: Doubling the price students pay for parking permits is ridiculous. Those who work and go to school on minimum wage have it hard enough paying $25, let alone $50. Don’t get me wrong; Students do use these facilities, so they should have to pay. However, a $25 increase is asking way too much. This isn’t a gradual change. It’s immediate, and isn’t exactly fair. Increasing the price to $30 or even $35 would be more reasonable. The remaining $15 to $20 would come in handy for every student here, as it can easily go toward food or gas to commute to and from college. Despite my arguments about the price, I do understand and agree with the reasoning for this increase. The expansion of a police force ensures that my college experience
The Ranger
is a safe one and in the event something tragic should happen, I would expect the police force to perform its duty in a timely and efficient manner. However, I still suggest that all students of the Alamo Colleges affected by this speak out to the trustees asking for a more reasonable increase. Brandon Lyssy Radio-television-broadcasting Freshman
DSS suffers Editor: Disability support services, or DSS, is suffering major cutbacks because of budget cuts. Starting at the beginning of the fall term, DSS had to cut note-takers. Students with mental or physical challenges should not have to go to their professor or chair to ask for a note-taker; it’s embarrassing.
Student criticizes hike in parking permit fee. File photo These services are a necessity and should already be provided. The department is suffering from this bold move. The DSS office also has a need for more counselors. The counselors suffered a cut in budget, resulting in requiring students to set appointments to see a counselor when we used to be able
to just show upw. Even though everyone is dealing with budget cuts, this college’s administration needs to make DSS a priority. This college’s administration and DSS will have to call this ruse a stalemate for now. Drew Harrison English Sophomore
The Ranger
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: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive, San Antonio, TX 78228 Cell: 863-9500 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu 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 Work: 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
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
THE RANGER Editor Laura Garcia
Managing Editor Zahra Farah Calendar Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photographers Tyler K. Cleveland, Rennie Murrell, Julysa Sosa, Alison Wadley Photo Team Noel Bracy, Christopher Michael Brown, Dave Crockett, D.L. Gonzalez, James Lazo, Henriette Mutegwaraba, Nicole Jacinta Gaskin-Paulsen, Pam Ramsey, Jenny Robles, Carmen Sanjuan Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa, Fred V.M. Nockroes III Staff Writers J. Almendarez, Jacob Beltran, Kristina Coble, Joshua Fechter, Roxanna Flores, J. Hernandez, Rachel McKee, Stefania Malacrida, Megan Mares, Aaron Nielsen, Creshawna T. Parker, Daniel Perales, Abiel Rodriguez, Riley Stephens Production Manager Melody Mendoza Production Assistant Krystal Barcenez, Jason B. Hogan Web Administrator D.A. James ©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 (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210486-1765) 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.
Oct. 29, 2010 • 23 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 210-486-1789. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, 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. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the singlecopy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
24 • Oct. 29, 2010
Premiere
The Ranger
Librarian Christina Petimezas and library Chair Candace Peterson hold the cans that started their collection of strange foods from around the world.
Appetite suppressant A collection of weird food from around the world is on display in Moody. Story and Photos by Alison Wadley For several years, Librarian Christina Petimezas and Candace Peterson, chair of the library department, have been collecting what they consider “scary” food from all over the world. “I can assure you, I will never try these,” Petimezas said. These “scary” foods are on display through Halloween in the library on the second floor of Moody Learning Center. Learning resource specialist Joseph Satterthwait, who designed the display, suggested the “scary” food as good for a Halloween display. To the food collection, he added a few library cookbooks with recipes from other countries and books on high fat and fast food. “Fast food is getting scarier all the time, and something common to us is scarier health-wise,” Satterthwait said. Petimezas said the collection of unusual food began with potted meat and vegemite. She said her mother loved potted meat, and Petimezas thought that was scary. She wondered what other scary foods were out there.
Petimezas was afraid to try the potted meat, and Peterson was afraid to try vegemite, so they made plans to try them together. Once they read the ingredients, they chickened out and put them on display instead, Petimezas said. They now have a collection of “scary” food with items from all over the world that fellow librarians, friends and family have donated. “People just started bringing stuff from their travels,” Petimezas said. A can of spotted dick, a traditional British sponge pudding made with raisins, is in the display. Another canned item is dandelion greens, an edible weed. Also on display is haggis, a Scottish dish traditionally made from a sheep’s liver, heart and lungs cooked inside the stomach. Some items traveled only a smidgen of the distance to the British Isles. From D’Hanis, an hour west in Medina County, comes the scariest comestible in the collection — a whole chicken in a can. Petimezas said, when searching online for scary or strange foods, the lists usually include chicken in a can. This display is likely the one chance the public will have to see the collection. Petimezas said someday, when the cans finally explode, perhaps the labels will be displayed on a bulletin board.