Vol. 86 Issue 4
Single copies free
Oct. 3, 2011
The Ranger A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Free speech under siege
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2 • Oct. 3, 2011
Calendar
For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
Today
Make the move to Texas A&M University with Transfer Information Day, the only day specifically designed for undergraduate transfer students!
SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. by appointment in transfer center. Call 210486-0864.
12:30 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210-4860593. SAC Music: Wind and Brass Ensembles directed by Mark Denison and Peter Kline 2 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association 3 p.m. in Room 644 of Moody. Call 210-486-0673. Thursday
Exhibit: Griff Smith’s “Texas: A Retrospective through the Lens & Images from Texas Highways” 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Institute of Texan Cultures. Free with district ID, others $8-$6. Continues Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 210-458-2300. Tuesday SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Event: Student activity fee training by office of student life 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210486-0125. SAC Hot Potato: “Gerrymandering and Racist Voter Suppression” by Paul Wilson 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. at Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210733-1441.
Friday, October 14, 2011 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Rudder Theatre Complex
The Ranger
SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Meeting: Students United for the DREAM Act 4:30 p.m. in cafeteria of Loftin. Continues Thursdays. Call 210683-5879. Friday SAC Event: “I Have a DREAM Act” workshop with Students United for the DREAM Act noon-5 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0681. SAC Meeting: OnStage Drama Club noon in Room 226 of McCreless. Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0492.
SAC Event: Defining Leadership by Mark Bigelow of student life 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Continues 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Wednesday. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: “The Little Star that Could” 6:30 p.m., “Secret Lives of Stars” 7:45 p.m. and “Extreme Planets” 9 p.m. in Scobee Planetarium. $2 with Alamo Colleges ID and children 4-17, others $3-$5. Continues Fridays. Call 210-4860100.
SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ 1:30 p.m. in Room 113 of chemistry and geology. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210-486-1233.
SAC Event: Fine arts department fundraiser “Beatles Singalong” 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Suggested donation $5. Call 210-486-0255.
Wednesday
admissions.tamu.edu/TID
SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SPC Event: 2011 Best Tasting Salsa Scholarship Competition noon–1 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Call 210-486-2318. SAC Meeting: Black Student Alliance
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 AC: Alamo Colleges
The Ranger
News
Oct. 3, 2011 • 3
Contract gags ‘friends,’ professor says Faculty legal association seeks new members and plans meeting.
said. “Administrations have come and gone, but we’re still here.” Busald said he believes the clause is unenforceable because By Joshua Fechter there is no way to regulate what former employees say. He does not Math Professor Gerald Busald know what the district could do if said the nondisclosure clause retirees violated the agreement. tied to the separation and release “I think a judge would laugh agreement for early retirees made them out of court,” Busald said. him think the college district views However, the fact it is unenforceemployees as the “enemy.” able is not the issue. The agreement reads, “… Busald said it is more important you (retirees) agree not to make to figure out who inserted the landerogatory or disparaging remarks guage into the agreement and why. regarding Alamo Colleges, your “Maybe they thought it would employment or your separation of intimidate someone. I don’t know,” employment with Alamo Colleges, he said. unless compelled to do so by subBusald said he does not think poena or court order following writthe district officials wanted peoten notice ple to know For more information about to Alamo about the the Alamo Community College College. You agreement, District Faculty Legal Action understand but that he Association, call math Professor Gerald Busald at 210-288-1251 or h owe ve r, hopes the email him at gbusald@aol.com. that none of board will the proviinstruct sions of this agreement require you administrators to change it. to alter or change your t estimony, “I think its revelation will make if any should be required by subit go away,” he said. poena or court order.” Busald said strictly following The agreement also says, the agreement would make it dif“except as required by applicable ficult for former employees to run law, the terms and conditions of for the board of trustees because this agreement shall remain confithat job involves discussing the dential and you (retirees) shall not district and colleges. respond to or participate in any Busald spoke about the agreepublic discussion or other publicment during the citizens-to-beity concerning or relating to your heard segment of the regular board employment with, resignation or meeting Sept. 20, where he told separation from Alamo Colleges.” trustees he was advised the agreeBusald said in an interview ment is illegal. Tuesday that if the district viewed Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, employees differently that lanFaculty Senate chair and English guage would not have been used. professor, said she does not under“Why would you gag your stand why the district used this type friend?” he asked. of language in the separation agreeBusald said anyone who qualiment. She said the language sounds fied for early retirement incenmore like language used to reach tives liked this college and does a settlement in a court case rather not understand what they would than a retirement agreement. say that would harm the district or Elmore-McCrary said most colleges. employees have had a good expe“Employees have had the lonrience and are proud of their work gest investment in this college,” he for the colleges.
Math Professor Gerald Busald, right, listens to a discussion at the Sept. 20 board of trustees meeting. Rachael L. Emond “What do we have to hide?” she asked. Elmore-McCrary said she would like the clause removed. She said the district has the right to include the language, but that does not make it right. Faculty Senate did not take any action on the clause at its Sept. 7 meeting. Elmore-McCrary said the senate may put the clause on the agenda for its Oct. 5 meeting, but it depends on if the district takes any action. Andrea Priolo, director of compensation and benefits in the district human resources department, said Sept. 20 she would look into why these clauses were included in the agreement. As of yet, Priolo has not answered questions or returned phone calls from The Ranger. When asked for comment, associate general counsel Retha Karnes said she would only answer questions if she received them in an email. The Ranger does not allow student reporters to conduct email interviews except in unusual cir-
cumstances, such as for military personnel serving overseas. Otherwise, student reporters must conduct interviews in person or over the phone. Since Sept. 20, Chancellor Bruce Leslie has not returned calls for comment. Busald is president of the Alamo Community College District Faculty Legal Action Association, a nonprofit corporation founded in 1986 to monitor and attempt to correct actions by the board of trustees, district administration and college administrations that may be illegal. He said the purpose of the association is not to harass but to monitor the board and administration. Busald said the association does not support faculty under all circumstances, but only when it believes the district or college has treated faculty illegally. Busald said the association has been inactive because there were no issues it thought were illegal. He said the association is seeking new membership and will meet Nov. 7, but a location has not been selected.
4 • Oct. 3, 2011
People
The Ranger
Above: Administrative assistant sophomore Veronica Rodriguez serves a taco to culinary arts freshman Lisseth Penate Wednesday at a new food kiosk on the first floor of AIC. The kiosk is open 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Rennie Murrell Left: Dr. Sundari Krishnamurthy of Stella Maris College is a Fulbright scholar working to build an partnership between Alamo Colleges and the allwoman Stella Maris College in India. Ingrid Wilgen
Choreographer Rosalyn Jones works with glee club members to perfect a routine Monday in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin. The first performance is a boxing event Oct. 21 in the mall. Riley Stephens English Professor Alex Bernal presents $50 Tuesday to education sophomore Jessica Zoll for identifying the college seal symbols, covered in January by the Alamo Colleges logo, inspiring Bernal to offer the prize. The symbols are winged feet for swiftness, athleticism and protection; open book for the learning process, literacy, teaching, quest for knowledge and understanding; a harp for joy, praise, poetry and music; a lamp of learning for truth, intelligence, life, wisdom, knowledge, guidance and enlightenment; and a scale for justice, just proportion, impartiality and balance. Casandra Gonzales
The Ranger
News
Oct. 3, 2011 • 5
Mexican blogger left decapitated on bridge Journalists talk about covering border crime. By J. Almendarez On Sept. 23, people in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, were faced with an all-too familiar scenario. María Elizabeth Macías, anonymous blogger, was found decapitated with a warning note next to her body stating, “I am La Nena de Laredo (roughly, sweetheart of Laredo) and I am here because of my reports and yours … for those of you who don’t want to believe it, this has happened to me because of my actions ... ” the Reporters Without Borders website reported. Macías was “newsroom manager” of Primera Hora, according to Marelos Canseco, interior secretary of northern Tamaulipas. The note was signed “zzz” a signature often attributed to the organized drug cartel, the Zetas, which is Spanish for “z.” The website states Macias’ blogs reported and editorialized about organized crime and drug cartels under the pseudonym “La Nena de Nuevo Laredo.” According to CNN, within the past month, two other bloggers writing about drug cartels were found tortured and hanging from a bridge in Nuevo Laredo. Their bodies remain unidentified. The woman was disemboweled, hogtied and topless. The man was hung from his hands, his right shoulder lacerated to the bone. A sign posted near the bodies read, “This is going to happen to all of those posting funny things on the Internet.” The other said, “You better (expletive) pay attention. I’m about to get you.” The website states that because many blogs use pseudonyms and the bodies were unidentified, the two victims have not been determined to be bloggers. Diana Fuentes, current editor of the Del Rio News-Herald, said,
“The border is its own entity.” Fuentes was editor of the Laredo Morning Times for seven years and previously worked at San Antonio’s daily newspapers. She said working in a border town means the line between U.S. news and news in Mexico becomes blurred. “You’re a little bit of Mexico and a little bit of the United States,” she said. Fuentes said daily life doesn’t appear to have changed in border towns. Trade is booming between the two countries, and she affirmed that thousands of people continue to cross the border to and from Mexico for shopping, work or recreational activities every day. On Sept. 28, the newspaper’s online site links to stories about an elementary school construction project being ahead of schedule and an art gallery opening on the north side of Del Rio. However, the continued daily life of people is not unmarred by violence from drug cartels. Fuentes said the lack of structure in the Mexican justice system, poor record-keeping and people’s fear of retaliation for reporting crimes allow criminals to go unpunished. She said it allows killers to act with virtual impunity. Reporters Without Borders states 80 journalists have been killed for reporting about drug cartels and organized crime in Mexican border cities. However, Fuentes said not all of the journalists were killed in the line of work, but people are often defined by their profession. She does not know for sure how all the journalists died, but said she knows three of them were killed in a bar brawl and one was suspected of involvement with illegal activities. She said she does know journalists are in danger when they report in Mexico and can be targets. “We empathize with our fellow journalists,” she said. “To be killed for doing something you believe in,
César Rodriguez, reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, documents a warning posted by Falcon Lake where an American was killed Sept. 30, 2010, by pirates or drug traffickers. Courtesy something that does good in the community, that’s a hero to me.” She said news of journalists being kidnapped and murdered has affected the way her staff works. The staff does not travel on highways because criminals construct fake checkpoints to rob or kidnap; a buddy system is in place when reporters cross the border; staffers are aware of coworkers leaving the newsroom and when they are expected back; traveling by oneself at night is inadvisable; and they’re particularly aware of their surroundings across the border. She said the danger has not stopped her reporters or photographers from covering hard news. “What we do is important to a democracy, and we can’t let these drug cartels shut us up.” While she knows some news organizations stopped reporting cartel crimes because of bombing of newsrooms and murdering families of editors, she does not think less of them. “I don’t want to judge those people,” Fuentes said. “We’re not in their shoes.” César Rodriguez, Ranger editor in fall 2006 and a reporter for the Laredo Morning Times, said the newspaper does not report in Mexico, but he frequently writes about crime that may be connected to the violence in Mexico. At The Ranger, he was a sports and environment reporter. “Crime is definitely more exciting than
sports; that’s for sure,” he said. Rodriguez said he began working for the Laredo Morning Times in August 2009 after graduating from Texas State University-San Marcos. He said when he graduated, he wasn’t looking for his ideal job as a sports writer. He was just hoping to get a job that paid. “I’ve never dealt with police, and at the time, all the Zeta killings in Laredo and Nueva Laredo were all done. The police had closed the cases,” he said. Taking a job as a crime reporter in a border town was not daunting for him. He said he thought an opportunity would arise to write sports, however, after two years, he said he is hooked. He says writing about people who have died, for any reason, is difficult. “That’s one of the toughest parts, when someone gets killed,” he said. His former editor Fuentes told him, “You need to put a face to that person.” He said reporting about death and justice or injustice served to them helps a person’s family heal. He said although some people decline to talk about deceased loved ones, most people are willing to share stories about them and are comforted knowing their loved one’s death does not go unnoticed. Rodriguez said he heeds similar advice as Fuentes, but relies mostly on “feeling people out” before talking to them about controversial news.
6 • Oct. 3, 2011
News
The Ranger
SPC students wait for work on Koehler greenhouse Associate vice chancellor of facilities to meet with city in spring. By Joshua Fechter According to family legend, Otto Koehler, president and manager of San Antonio Brewing Association, built his home on a hill at Belknap and Ashby places to view City Brewery, now Pearl Brewery, without obstruction in 1901. From his porch, Koehler said he could tell how hard his employees worked by the color of the smoke rising from the brewery’s smokestacks. Architect Carol Von Seutter infused the house and its glass greenhouse with Victorian style popular during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Although the Koehlers were serious businessmen, it’s hard to look at the house and not imagine upper-class citizens waltzing through glamorous celebrations to swinging jazz or
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Greenhouse on grounds of Koehler Cultural Center Riley Stephens sneaking out to the greenhouse for a smoke or private moment away from the frenzy. It’s a relic of another time and place, the time of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the birth of jazz, a time of freewheeling decadence under prohibition, unique to the American experience. It carries the protection of the Texas State Historical Commission. In 1971, the Koehler family donated the house to the college, which steadily restored the estate. Unfortunately, the greenhouse did not fare so well, and today shows its years of decay.
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A Master lock prevents entry to the greenhouse through its doors, but any enterprising vagrant or passer-by could easily enter through one of its many missing or broken glass panes. They’d be disappointed by what they found: Broken glass and dead leaves litter the ground inside and out, bricks and chunks of concrete lay scattered on rotting work benches, large cracks line the walls and weeds rise up through splitting soil. Jack Fyke, construction technology coordinator at Southwest Campus of St. Philip’s College, said he hopes to change that. Fyke said his classes expressed interest in class credit for renovating the greenhouse into a space for social events. He said it would be a good chance for students to apply skills and knowledge they have learned. Fyke said there are 125 potential volunteers for the project among his classes. He said he is not looking for additional volunteers because he believes he will have enough to complete the project.
The Ranger Fyke said when he asked President Robert Zeigler and David Mrizek, vice president of college services, they expressed enthusiasm. He said he does not know how much the project would cost, but labor would be free because the students will work for credit. Fyke said material costs are the only budgetary concern. He said he is EPA-certified to handle lead paint and is also a licensed building inspector with the state. “As an inspector,” he said, “there’s nothing about the greenhouse that can’t be fixed.” He said he also wants to involve the HVAC and plumbing programs at St. Philip’s as well. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management for Alamo Colleges, said he must submit construction documents to the city’s Historic Design and Review Commission and the Monte Vista Historic District.
News The Ranger reported in spring 2010 that Strybos met with Zeigler and the city of San Antonio’s preservation officer to discuss viable options for dealing with the greenhouse. At that time, the San Antonio Conservation Society, Tobin Hill Association and the Monte Vista Historic District were keeping an eye on the process. Strybos said the documents are 70 percent complete but will not be finished until November or December. He said he will not meet with Monte Vista or the city until spring nor does he know how much the project will cost. Fyke said this is a good opportunity to build partnership between St. Philip’s and this college and would be a good example of one college helping another. He said he believes in preserving history and the greenhouse is an integral part of the college’s history. “It completes the picture of the campus,” he said.
Oct. 3, 2011 • 7
TAPP scholarship helps train future educators By Diana Palomo Teaching Academy Program Peers fall scholarship provides a student a $300 award for planning a career as an educator. All applicants are required to have a minimum gradepoint average of 2.5, have completed 12 hours in any college institution and plan to enroll for spring semester here. Applicants must include a short essay about why they choose the field, include two letters of recommendation from an educator and someone familiar with their community, campus service or work experience. Applications can be picked up in Room 123 of Gonzales Hall and must be completed
and returned there by noon Oct. 10. Students can email tappatsac@gmail.com for an application. TAPP co-adviser Mary Anne Bernal said the scholarship is to encourage students seeking education careers and offers students a chance to win cash to put toward that education. TAPP wants students to recognize their commitment and achievement. The winner will be announced Oct. 27, but a time and place have not been determined. For news of the announcement, visit http:// tappatsac.blogspot.com/. For more on the scholarship, call Bernal at 210-4860658 or email mbernal@alamo. edu.
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8 • The Ranger
McCreless murder mystery Four actors play 30 roles in a comic adaptation of Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps.” By Robert Medina
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murder-mystery thriller well known for its fast pace and excellent choreography, “The 39 Steps” is a four-person show that promises nonstop action and laughs from start to finish. “It’s a spy thriller on coke,” said Jeremy Carrizales, theater and speech sophomore. “The 39 Steps,” the latest performance from the theater program is an adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. The plot was taken from the 1915 John Buchan novel “The 39 Steps.” Protagonist Richard Hannay meets a beautiful woman with a thick accent who claims to be a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered, revealing to him that there is a threat to England’s air defense. As he travels between England and Scotland trying to clear his name of the murder and save Europe from war, he must evade capture by a mysterious organization of spies. A twist is added in playwright Patrick Barlowe’s stage version, which transforms the romantic spy-thriller into a comedic farce with what cast member James Dean, theater and speech sophomore, describes as “a Monty Python feel of ridiculousness.” During the technical rehearsal in the theater of McCreless Hall, the actors preparing to play more than 30 roles, everyone, from the stage crew handling the lighting and props,to the costume crew, must be precise and ready to hit their marks. “This is the one time the tech crew outnumbers the cast,” theater and speech sophomore Beatrice Ramos said. “They’re like theater ninjas behind the scene; you can’t hear them.” Professor Jim Mammarella, an Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe award winner, directs. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 13-15. Matinee performances are at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and 15 in Room 226 of McCreless Hall. Admission is $2 with an Alamo college ID, $8 for high school and other college students with IDs, and $10 general admission. For more informaTheater sophomore James Dean chases an actor off stage tion, call while drama sophomore Jeremy Mammarella Carrizales attends to the phone at 210-486Sept. 20 during rehearsal. 0488.
Beatrice Ramos accuses Bryce Jeter as he is arrested by James Dean and Jeremy Carrizales, all drama sophomores, in a train scene in “The 39 Steps” during rehearsal Sept. 20 in McCreless theater. Photos by Ivie Okungbowa
Drama sophomores Jeremy Carrizales, Bry James Dean embrace in a political rally rehearsal for “The 39 Steps,” directed by Jim
miere
yce Jeter and scene during m Mammarella.
Oct. 3, 2011 • 9
Art walk venues seek new talent By Jennifer M. Ytuarte Artisans waiting for a big break need to stop waiting and take the first step, a Tobin Hill Arts Alliance co-founder said. Luis Lopez, alliance co-founder and owner of La Casa Rosa, said the art community has grown since the 2009 establishment of Art on the Hill, which presents a monthly art walk every second Friday. Hundreds of locals attend up to nine venues by trolley or on foot, including the visual arts center at this college, to view and purchase art from local masters and up-and-coming artists. “Aspiring artists need to be more aggressive,” Margaret Halsema, alliance co-founder and coordinator, said. “Don’t just say ‘I’m an artist,’ send samples, show effort. We are working artists, too.” Halsema said a good first step for student artists wanting to jump into the exhibition scene is to attend the art walk and look at venue displays. “If you want to display at a gallery you need to go and see their atmosphere,” Halsema said. “Does it match your piece? Will it change the meaning of your photograph or painting?” Halsema also said, “Don’t compromise your image just to be in the public eye. The right venue can be the difference between a sale and a nice wall hanging.” Lopez said submission inquiries do not guarantee display. They’re forwarded to all the participating gallery owners, and if they like the portfolio, they contact the artist directly. “The alliance doesn’t act as a curator,” Lopez said. “But when it comes down to the wire, we are starved for artists,” Halsema said. Angela Ramos, former Ranger photographer and owner of Raven Red Photography, said she displayed Sept. 9 at Casa de Palmas, 419 E. Dewey Place, through a photography open call post from the venue’s Facebook page. Ramos said her photography success directly depends on networking connections she has built over the years with makeup artists, hairstylists and wardrobe specialists.
Angela Ramos, owner and photographer of Raven Red Photography, holds one of her images displayed during the Art on the Hill art walk Sept. 9 at Casa de Palmas, 419 E. Dewey. Jennifer M. Ytuarte
Models wear fantasy outfits and pose for photographers at Casa de Palma’s liveshoot. Photographers reserved a paid session and used a mixture of borrowed and owned equipment to practice new techniques while creating a portfolio for the aspiring models. Jennifer M. Ytuarte
The Art on the Hill art walk is 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 14 beginning in the visual arts center. A free shuttle stops within walking distance of each art gallery. “I see so much talent in S.A. and I just want us to be acknowledged,” Ramos said. Ramos said new artists must believe in themselves and the images they sell. “Know the value of your work and charge for it.” Ramos said. Tommy Vasquez, curator for Casa de Palmas, said they will accept student
pieces when display space is available. Vasquez said, “We usually like to finalize who we show at least two weeks before the venue so we can promote it as much as possible, but people drop out, and sometimes, persistence helps bump your name to the top of the list.” Halsema said student artists can message the alliance through Facebook at www.facebook.com/artonthehill or send an email to contact@tobinarts.com. For more information, call the alliance at 210-785-0743 or go to www.tobinarts. com.
10 • Oct. 3, 2011
News
The Ranger
Trustees to evaluate Leslie’s performance By J. Almendarez
Gary Beitzel, District 8 trustee and board chairman, said Sept. 28 that the evaluation is The board of trustees will evaluate a collective assessment of the outcomes and Chancellor Bruce Leslie at the regular board quality of board charges Leslie produced in the meeting Oct. 18 in Room 101 of Killen Center at 2010-11 fiscal year. 201 W. Sheridan. Board charges are tasks trustees or commitLeslie is working under a fourtee members ask Leslie to perform, year contract beginning in 2009-10 such as building community relafor S313,663.84, which also includes tions. a $1,000 a monthly car allowance; For instance, in the Sept. 20 a gas card to cover district travel board meeting, the board of trustees expenses; a Plaza Club membercharged Leslie with the responsibilship to host district events; reimity of working with faculty members bursement of an Internet air card and retirees to create a comprefor his laptop; an annual physical hensive report and presentation for Chancellor Bruce examination; 24 vacation days; and trustees about tenure, which will Leslie the same health benefits as full-time be assessed in next year’s annual employees. evaluation. A rollover clause in his contract has allowed Beitzel said the public and district employit to extend until Aug. 31, 2013, because the ees can’t contribute to the evaluation because board of trustees did not decide to end his conit solely focuses on the trustees’ perspective of tract. They would have had to inform him of its Leslie’s accomplishments. end by Sept. 1, 2010. The board is allowed by law to discuss the
ACCD-FLAA VS
Alamo Community College District Faculty Legal Action Association
All Faculty at San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, Northwest Vista College, and Northeast Lakeview College If you are concerned about the legality of some recent and proposed actions by the Alamo Colleges, the membership of the ACCD-FLAA invites you to join them in protecting our collective legal interests. The ACCD-FLAA was formed as a non-profit corporation in 1986 to monitor the official conduct of the Board of Trustees, District administration, and the various colleges administrations. We may pursue legal remedies on matters concerning shared contractual and constitutional rights, academic freedom, and the interests of the faculty, students and the public. To join or get more information contact: Gerald Busald at 288-1251, (830) 438-5593, gbusald@aol.com or Pat Norrgran at 355-7956.
contract in executive session. Voting must be done in the public portion of the meeting though. Board members’ contact information is available at www.alamo.edu under the “board of trustees” tab. It is also available in greater detail to the left of The Ranger staff box in every print issue. On Sept. 15, 2009, the board of trustees unanimously voted to extend Leslie’s contract despite a 90 percent vote of no confidence by faculty senates at four district colleges. Beitzel said only an extreme situation would allow for the chancellor’s contract to be discontinued before that date. Leslie’s contact states his contract can be discontinue in the event of death, disability, resignation, “good cause,” mutual agreement or in the convenience of the district so long as they provide compensation. Beitzel couldn’t comment on the content of the evaluation because he said it is private until presented by the board Oct. 18.
The Ranger CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
News
Oct. 3, 2011 • 11
SOAP cleans up likely trafficking areas
on a combination of factors such as international borders, tourist areas, state size and a Theresa Flores has startnational human trafficking unteers trained to approach large number of highways, truck stops, military ed an advocacy group called hotline, 1-888-3737-888. hotels about human traffickbases, immigrant population, strip clubs and Save our Adolescents from She said the idea came to ing and guide them to other institutes of higher education. Prostitution, or SOAP, which her because she has a very helpful resources. Flores said the factors indicate the number distributes bars of soap at clear memory of clutching a At the 2011 Super Bowl in of people who may be in a desperate, vulnerable large, male-dominant events bar of soap the night she was Dallas, 37 people distributed or accessible situation for the temptations and like the Super Bowl and auctioned off in Detroit. 10,000 bars to 73 hotels in dangers of trafficking. Kentucky Derby. The organization aims to the area. In “The Slave Across the Street,” her second The group also gives free offer assistance to victims, Volunteers reported a 73 book, she details her experience as a victim of bars of soap to “small and educate hotel owners and percent positive response human trafficking. It is being made into a film. seedy” hotels to place in staffers and address those from hotels. “It’s not about sex. It’s about money,” their bathrooms. The bars seeking services from trafTo donate to SOAP, visit she said. Money and services are typically are fixed with a red label with ficked victims. h t t p : / / w w w. t ra f f i c k f re e. exchanged among 24-hour parlors and spas, the phone number for the SOAP distributors are vol- com/store/. nail salons, Internet sites, ethnic restaurants, hotels or motels, factories, domestic workers, runaway children and among young women He offered her a soft drink and she began to cars randomly on her street and stuffed dead with older boyfriends. She also stressed the mis- feel light-headed. The drink was drugged. He animals in her mailbox. conception of prostitution not being included took her to a bedroom upstairs and raped her. One night, she was driven to a seedy hotel with human trafficking. “In our country, we She said her parents are devout Catholics room in inner city Detroit. She said she was think of prostitution as an option,” she said. who stressed the importance of abstinence until dragged into a room by her hair where 25 men However, she said many prostitutes are con- marriage. She thought she could take care of were waiting. “I figured I wasn’t getting out of trolled by pimps or involved in crime rings herself, so she didn’t tell her parents. “I wanted there alive,” Flores said. with few or no options them to be proud of me.” Her traffickers told the men she was their to escape. The women A few days later at reward for a job well done and was sold to the For more information about are often beaten, murschool, the rapist threathighest bidders that night. She was repeatedly Flores’ projects, visit http://www.traffickfree.com/. dered or drugged if they ened to show pictures raped, beaten and drugged until she passed out. For more information about human of the incident to her attempt to escape. She awoke naked with no ID or money. She trafficking in the United States, She said most trafparents, priest and her didn’t know if they thought she was dead or if visit http://www.polarisproject.org/ ficking victims survive father’s boss and to post they would come back to get her. “I didn’t like human-trafficking/overview. an average of seven years them around school. either of those two options,” she said. in human slavery before His cousins had been She found her clothes in a water-filled bathdying from disease, violence or drugs. hiding in a closet and took photos without her tub and wandered off to find an angel in the That makes Flores lucky to be alive. knowledge. He said she would have to earn form of a person she normally would not have At the age of 15, she was blackmailed into them back. “I felt as if I had no options, no associated with in her comfortable upbringing becoming a trafficking victim, then beaten, alternative,” she said. “And I still had no clue — a waitress working the third shift of a dirty, raped and drugged for two years. To protect her what they meant.” 24-hour diner in a high-crime neighborhood. family’s lives, she submitted to the abuse. She naively thought she’d have to do their Despite Flores’ insistence that she was all Flores was an upper-middle class teen whose chores or homework, but she soon found herright, the waitress called the police, who drove grandfather was a prominent judge and father self lost in a nightmare she couldn’t escape. her home. She planned to sneak back into the an executive of an international corporation. Her dad, who traveled frequently for work, house and still be able to go to school. About 30 years ago, Flores did what many a was gone about three weeks each month. When The officer, who had suspicions about illegal giddy and innocent 15-year-old girl does: She he was away, her tormentors told Flores to meet activities involving her traffickers, told her he accepted a ride home after track practice from a them in an alley behind her house. “They took knew who was responsible and cautioned her boy she had a crush on. Flores’ inner warnings me to nice houses in beautiful areas,” she said. about the dangerous situation she was in. He began when the boy made a detour to his house. In the basement of those homes, she was gave her a business card in case she chose to Her parents were strict and forbade her from sold to men for sex and sometimes torture. She help the police prosecute them. dating or evening calling boys until she turned often wondered if people’s wives or children That night, she answered a phone call to a 16 so she declined his offer to enter the house. were in those homes. “They had to have heard dead line, and moments later, she heard her dog However, those three little words eventually my screams,” she said. whimper in the yard, followed by a gunshot. She convinced her to go inside his parent’s house, The men soon moved from threatening her threw the card away. the biggest house she’d ever seen, she said. with photos to threatening to kill her and her After two years of the abuse, her father’s job She couldn’t help it. He smelled like cologne family if she reported them. abruptly moved him and her family to another and wore pressed slacks to school every single While her tormentors let her remain living city, and she was physically free of her tormenday. The rest of the boys at her high school wore in her parents’ home, they stalked her every tors. jeans and flannel shirts. move. They loitered at her part-time job, parked “It’s really a miracle I’m still here,” she said.
12 • Oct. 3, 2011
The Ranger
Editorial
Alexandra Nelipa
Just answer the question for a change In his essay “Politics and the English Language,” George Orwell criticized politicians and writers who manipulate language “to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” Orwell meant these people use language to hide the truth rather than reveal it. He is saying a free society cannot function without truth and clarity. Reporters at The Ranger are reminded of this frequently. Often, people at this college and district refuse to provide information or point to someone else who either does not have the information or refuses to disclose it. The public needs accu-
rate information to make informed decisions, but if they cannot access information, how are they supposed to? Higher-ups do not care about that; they retain power by making sure their authority goes unquestioned, but when authority remains unquestioned, it inevitably runs roughshod over the rights of others. A reporter’s job is to keep the scrutiny on officials to prevent the trampling and eventual dismantlement of individual rights. The frustration goes further: When these people refuse information, they’re not just undermining reportage and our duty to the public. They’re also undermining students.
Correction
In the Sept. 26 issue in “Canvas replacing Blackboard Vista,” comments from Dr. Jessica Howard, vice
Ranger reporters and photographers must be enrolled in a communications course to work for The Ranger; that means producing for grades. More important, we are working to build skills for a career. Too many district and college employees seem to forget the Alamo Colleges are first and foremost public educational institutions, which means salaries are paid for by state funds raised through sales tax and state fees, local property taxes and student tuition. Let’s be clear: There would be no cushy, taxfunded jobs if it weren’t for the students. When students have questions, we deserve the courtesy of a response. A free society
president of academic affairs at this college, and Usha Venkat, director of information and communication technologies, were collected in interviews conducted during two consecu-
requires an unrestricted flow of information. Refusing to provide public information to the public’s representatives does not provide particularly good role models for students — not the few on staff, the 60,000-plus throughout the district. In the meantime, district employees should consider this little questionnaire when moaning about having to answer to a Ranger reporter: • Am I performing my job properly? • Am I conducting myself ethically? • Am I operating according to law? If you can answer yes to all three questions, what is the problem?
tive committee processes, reflecting two sets of circumstances. The district has not made a decision on a replacement learning management system.
The Ranger
Oct. 3, 2011 • 13
Editorial
Citizens, show up, sign up, be heard At the board of trustees meeting Sept. 20, only three people spoke at the citizens-to-be-heard segment. In a time of budget cuts, the possible end of tenure, and gagging of retirees, the Alamo Colleges community should be up in arms. But for whatever reason, employees seem to be sitting on their hands. It’s clear people are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs; at President Robert Zeigler’s all-college meeting Sept. 15, multiple faculty members voiced concerns about the college and district. So, where is everybody when it comes time to take these concerns to the board? It’s OK; we’re only talking about the future of the district.
It’s easy to say taking away tenure is unjust and vent to colleagues, but it’s difficult to sympathize with people who don’t stand up for themselves. Students also should speak up at citizens-to-be-heard in support of their professors and to seek the return of disappearing student services. Just because you’re only passing through doesn’t mean you can’t take interest in what’s happening now. Take every chance every day to better your corner of the world. Otherwise, how will things ever improve? They won’t. They will only get worse. A long line of dedicated professionals spent their careers building the individual Alamo Colleges into educational institutions responsive to their
respective constituents. Former students and current students abound, yet by the looks of it, everyone is willing to watch those specialized features end, victims of budget cuts and efforts at uniformity. If you have no interest in challenging the weakening of your colleges and protecting their heritage, don’t be surprised when you know longer recognize them. What’s at stake is not just the temporary discomfort of a few current employees. This is about creating a healthy economic future for San Antonio by providing a decent education to the community. It’s time to take a stand. Students might even learn something.
Avoid hypocrisy; stand up for views During the Sept. 20 board meeting, District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez and District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante spoke against immediately ending a 2.5 percent supplement to employees in an Optional Retirement Program. Their view was that advance warning should have been given to employees instead of abruptly ending it. Fernandez proposed an amendment to extend supplements until the end of the fiscal year. The amendment failed 7-2, and in the end, trustees unanimously
WE ARE
approved immediately ending the supplement. What happened to the opposition? What happened to the support voiced in favor of a little consideration for employees? The real question is: Why did Fernandez and Bustamante cave? Maybe this board has harped on harmony a little too much if two trustees feel they cannot cast opposition votes. A public face that is unanimous begs for a closer look. How, for exam-
ple, do nine diverse individuals manage to agree on everything? The fact of the matter is they don’t — except in the minutes of board meetings. People respect leaders who stand up for their beliefs. Even if the majority vote against you, at least respect yourself and those you claim to speak for. Don’t waste your breath and everyone’s time being concerned with “what’s right” only to go down in the records as a hypocrite.
The University of Texas at San Antonio is your first choice for a top tier education. Transferring to UTSA is easy and scholarships are available. Go to applytexas.org and apply now. The final Admissions Application deadline for the 2012 Spring Semester is November 15.
Learn more at
utsa.edu/transfer
Transfer Scholarships available are the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship and the Joint Admissions Agreement Scholarship. The deadline to submit either scholarship application for Spring 2012 is November 1.
We are Roadrunners and we are you.
14 • Oct. 3, 2011
The Ranger
News
Remove financial aid hurdles Everyone understands that success does not come easy. Pursuing a college degree will obviously have its hurdles of class demands (attendance, readings, homework, exams), demands from employGuest Viewpoint by Ricardo F. ers, making time for Martinez friends and family just to keep sanity afloat. Community colleges are known for making it easier to manage this juggling act through flexible schedules, smaller classrooms and locations. This entire formula that is set up is, however, very fragile. Like anything else in life, money is always necessary for accomplishments to occur, thus there is the student financial services office. It seems so ironic that an education teaches responsibility and the importance of time management and is quick to show repercussions
when one fails to incorporate the two. The fact that the financial aid office is not held accountable is inexcusable. I am not the perfect student. I have attempted to finalize my education at San Antonio College but have had my share of roadblocks. My attempted hours had me on a suspension status. I knew that going in when I planned to go back in the summer. I responsibly followed all requirements and deadlines to get over this hurdle. The problem is that even as responsible as one could be, the system fails. I have been proactive. I have made time to check ACES, called in for further information, waited in line and still no straight answer is provided. I created a spreadsheet to track all the contacts I attempted. There are 48 listed now. It is now Week 11. I was initially told eight to 10 weeks. It seems every time I get an update, I am given a time frame that is never met. When the facts are presented, the runaround begins. Excuses range from me not turning in all paper-
DON’T GET CONVICTED PROTECT YOUR FUTURE
work (I have proof that I did), that I misinterpreted the time frames (everyone has a separate interpretation), and that the person I spoke with does not exist (yes, this is true). Like I said before, students expect hurdles. What we do not expect is that an institution we attend to better ourselves ends up passing the blame. We expect consistency. When the variables stay constant, we know what to expect. When they keep changing, it leaves us in the dark. We end up losing faith in the system. The financial aid office is the gateway to the colleges for the majority of students. If the system is broken, then students cannot plan finances accordingly. If they aren’t lucky, then students get dropped. If they get dropped, the outlook on the system as a whole is tainted. The student may come back the next semester or simply give up because the hurdle was overwhelming. Ricardo F. Martinez is a business administration sophomore.
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The Ranger
Trustees District 1: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive San Antonio TX 78228 Cell: 210-863-9500 Home: 210-434-6967 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com, jalderete21@alamo.edu District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 210-281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com, dmcclendon2@alamo.edu District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 210-882-1609 Home: 210-921-2986 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio TX 78211 No telephone number provided Board of trustees liaison: 210-485-0030 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio TX 78251 No telephone number provided E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way Helotes TX 78023 Work: 210-567-4865 E-mail: sprague1@alamo.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 3707 N. St. Mary Street San Antonio TX 78212 Work: 210-538-9935 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu, bfernandez@tuggeyllp.com District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio TX 78232 Home: 210-496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 13315 Thessaly, Universal City, TX 78148 Home: 210-828-4630 Work: 210-375-2555 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu
Administrators Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio TX 78204-1429 Work: 210-485-0020 Fax: 210-486-9166 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 210-486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 210-486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 210-486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 210-486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 210-486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu
Oct. 3, 2011 • 15
Web Editor Jacob Beltran
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, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.
©2011 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 news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available 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.
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The Ranger Editor Jolene Almendarez News Editor Joshua Fechter Calendar/Opinion Editor Alma Linda Manzanares Photo Editor Ingrid Wilgen Photo Team Julianna Anaya, Rachael L. Emond, Casandra Gonzales, Celeste Kulla, Ivie Okungbowa, Valerie Marie Salazar, Katie Sheridan, Alex Solis, Riley Stephens Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa, Fred Nockroes Staff Writers Brian Burdick, Sebastian Carter, Jennifer Coronado, Marc Cunningham, Faith Duarte, David Espinoza, Jennifer Flores, Sara Garza, Kirk Hanes, Stefania Malacrida, Hilary Martinez, Robert Medina, Diana Palomo Multimedia Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Production Manager Melody Mendoza
16 • Oct. 3, 2011
News
The Ranger
Activist and author Theresa Flores identifies factors that in combination indicate the likelihood of human trafficking developing. Alex Solis
Sex trafficking in America Author details her terrifying two years of rape, drugs and beatings.
about the prevalence of the crime and pushing for the prosecution of people seeking services from “modern day slaves.” By J. Almendarez Flores earned a master’s degree in counseling education from the University of Daytona and has been a “I like you,” were the words that turned author social worker for more than 20 years in Ohio. Theresa Flores into a human trafficking victim at age She was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General’s 15. Commission on the Study of Human Trafficking in Flores spoke Sept. 23 in the visual arts center about 2009, which pushed for passage of SB 235, recognizing her real-life experience being trafficked human trafficking as a crime in Ohio. out of a suburb of a major American State laws addressed kidnapping, city. prostitution, assault and drug dealing, Her blonde-haired, blue-eyed, but no law named human trafficking Midwest girl-next-door appearance as a crime. Texas is hardly the popular perception of Flores said Texas has the highest California the women and children trapped in rate of human trafficking in the counFlorida sex trafficking. Americans hear about try. California, Florida, Minnesota and Minnesota Ohio human trafficking around the world, Ohio round out the top five. but the images often show slight fig=She said while people easily name ures in traditional garb from developthe top three states for human trafficking countries who speak a variety of languages, just ing, her audiences rarely guess the last two states. not English. An area’s likelihood for human trafficking is based Today, Flores works as an advocate for human trafficking victims, building awareness in communities CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Top states
Look for signs While trafficking is often invisible, victims exhibit symptoms which, if reported, can save lives. Possession of multiple keys to hotels or homes Inconsistency about job, whereabouts or background Fear of making eye contact “Jumpy” behavior Inappropriate attire for climate Visible bruising or injuries False identification Extreme weight loss Sudden drug usage An older person dating an apparently very young person Possession of clothes or jewelry out of proportion with income Frequent recurrence of STDs Unusual lack of knowledge about current location