THE RANGER A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Vol. 84 Issue 7
Single copies free
Oct. 30, 2009
Happy Halloween A holiday to die for
THE HUNGER 9 FUN PREDICTED 11 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 12
2 • Oct. 30, 2009
The Ranger
The Ranger • Vol. 84 • Issue 7
Oct. 30, 2009 • 3
The Ranger
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
4 Blotter
6 News Board chair sees communication gap with employees By Jason B. Hogan Photo by Destiny Mata
7 Legal for just a day
Story and photos by Leda Garcia
14 ‘Aesop’s Fables’
shares moral tales in children’s show By Mario Anguiano
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday!
15 Calendar 16 People 18 Editorials
Only online @ theranger.org
Trial of library shooter
Cartoon Use campus help to sharpen edge Opt out of rotten deal Book more students
9 Three events to highlight needs of hunger
20 Viewpoint Witch of a student
DIY student T-shirts
21 Letter
Musicians entertain engineers conference
8 Student Goverment election next week By Zahra Farah
By Vanessa Sanchez
By Zahra Farah
10 Faculty questions Zeigler on contracts and construction bids By Vanessa Sanchez
11 Premiere
Faculty and students invited to display talent
By Vanessa Sanchez
Reading Ranger advantageous 22 Pulse Anxiety attack
By Tyler K. Cleveland Photo by Destiny Mata
By Trey Randolph
Soccer schedule
Psychic fair beckons clairvoyant students
23 Lady Rangers tame Tigers in volleyball win
By Jason B. Hogan
12 Mortuary science
celebrates life with Day of the Dead events By Laura Garcia Illustration by Juan Carlos Campos
People slideshow SAC forum slideshow Men’s basketball
How to spot a potentially dangerous employee Donor event takes parking without notice SPC dean moved to Southwest Campus
By Tyler K. Cleveland Photos by Destiny Mata
24 Backpage Bloody Ball lures thrill-seekers to haunted house Photos by Leda Garcia
www.theranger.org
4 • Oct. 30, 2009
Blotter
Officials
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
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
Oct. 18 – An officer reported hearing gunshots.
District 1: Dr. Bernard Weiner 929 Manor Drive, Ste. 7, San Antonio, TX 78228 Work: 735-9151 E-mail: bweinermd@satx.rr.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna 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
Oct. 19 – An individual reported lost district keys in Moody.
An individual reported theft of a personal cell phone in Fletcher.
Oct. 19 – An individual reported graffiti on a campus building.
A criminal trespass warning was issued to a male in Loftin.
An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.
An individual was stopped for a traffic violation and found to have an active SAPD warrant. SAPD arrived and took custody of individual. Oct. 21 – An individual reported a male and a female involved in inappropriate behavior in Fletcher.
District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@accd.edu
An officer assisted Leon Valley police to locate a vehicle.
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
Oct. 22 - An individual reported a hit-and-run vehicle accident. An individual reported damage to a campus parking sign in the parking garage. An individual reported a student not following directions during class in McCreless. An individual reported a male feeling ill in Loftin. EMS treated the male. Oct. 23 – An individual reported two males riding bikes in the parking garage. An individual reported a suspicious male being loud and vulgar in Loftin.
center. Male found to be an employee. Individual reported lost personal property.
PALO ALTO COLLEGE
Oct. 20 – An individual reported graffiti on a district sign.
An individual reported an irate student being loud and belligerent.
Presidents
Oct. 25 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area. Male found to be a contract worker.
Oct. 18 - An individual reported an assault, which started off campus.
District 7: Charles Conner Home:361-949-0191 E-mail: cconner8@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
The Ranger
An individual reported feeling ill. EMS treated individual. An individual reported a hitand-run vehicle accident. Oct. 20 – An individual reported theft of a district laptop in Ozuna. An individual reported being injured in a parking lot. An individual reported a suspicious item in the trash can of a restroom in fine arts. Oct. 21 – An individual requested assistance in retrieving personal paperwork. An individual reported a suspicious male taking a stereo out of a vehicle in a parking lot. An individual reported found property in the natatorium. Oct. 23 – An individual requested an officer stand by while he spoke to a male individual in applied technology.
Oct. 19 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area. An individual reported stolen personal property. An individual reported a hitand-run vehicle accident. An individual reported a vehicle striking her while in a crosswalk. Medical treatment refused. Oct. 20 – An individual reported found property in Norris. An individual reported a suspicious male asking for money. Male departed without further incident. An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. An individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized. Oct. 21 – An individual reported found property in the science building. Oct. 22 – An individual reported feeling ill in Sutton. An individual reported a suspicious male following her around campus. An individual reported a suspicious male in Sutton. Male departed before officers’ arrival. An individual reported a male and a female arguing.
ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE Oct. 17 – An individual reported a male attempting to gain access into welcome
A male with an active warrant in the learning and leadership development center was arrested.
The Ranger
Oct. 30, 2009 • 5 Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Cuffed: Law enforcement trainees David Salcido and Mario Flores practice handcuffing procedures Oct. 19 at the law enforcement training annex. It takes about one year of training to become a police officer.
An individual reported graffiti on Nail. No suspects. Oct. 23 – An individual reported found property in the campus center. An individual reported labor pains from pregnancy in the welcome center. EMS treated individual. An individual reported found property in Norris. Item placed in property locker. An individual reported two males who appeared to be intoxicated in the center for learning resources.
Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
Northwest Vista College Oct. 17 - An individual reported found property in Juniper. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 18 - An individual reported missing personal property in Juniper. Oct. 19 – An individual reported damage to personal vehicle. Oct. 20 – An individual reported lost personal keys in Pecan. An individual reported found property in Juniper. Oct. 21 – An individual reported found property in a parking lot. An individual reported being injured in Juniper. Medical treatment refused. An individual reported theft of personal property.
Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Awareness: Patricia Kittle, training and education coordinator at Childsafe, lectures on child abuse Wednesday at the Methodist Student Center for Domestic Violence Awareness Day. Kittle discussed issues surrounding what to do when child abuse is suspected. Other spoke on conflict resolution and escaping abusive relationships.
An individual reported found property in Mountain Laurel. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 24 – An individual reported graffiti in the men’s restroom. No suspects. Oct. 25 – An individual reported found property in Huisache. Item placed in property locker.
An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle. Oct. 22 – An individual reported being injured in the wellness center. Medical treatment refused. An individual reported found property in academic. Item placed in property locker. southwest campus
Northeast Lakeview College Oct. 19 – An individual reported found property in a parking lot. Oct. 20 – An individual reported a female having a seizure in the academic center. An individual reported found property. Oct. 21 – An individual reported the smell of grease coming from the kitchen of commons. Facilities division advised.
Oct. 19 – An individual reported theft of personal property. Oct. 20 - An individual reported graffiti in a men’s restroom. Oct. 21 - An individual reported theft of personal property. Oct. 22 - An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 23 - An individual reported theft of personal textbooks.
The Ranger
6 • Oct. 30, 2009
Board chair sees communication gap with employees Destiny Mata
The format of forum with trustees was unproductive, faculty and staff say. By Jason B. Hogan Board Chairman Denver McClendon, District 2, told about 200 faculty, staff and students at the forum Oct. 22 at this college, “There is a disconnect.” McClendon reiterated that the disconnect was evident after Faculty Senate votes of no confidence for Chancellor Bruce Leslie were presented at the Sept. 15 board of trustees meeting, while the Alamo Community College District trustees responded with a vote of confidence. He opened the forum at St. Philip’s College Oct. 15 with the same transcript and proceeded to lay ground rules for three-minute questions from the audience. But after almost two hours, Linda Lowman, early childhood studies professor and Faculty Senate officer, said the forums at this college and St. Philip’s College were scripted down to the egg timer the trustees use to limit audience questions and responses. She said the timer needs to be shelved. As long as this format continues, it will be an us vs. them mentality, Lowman said. But trustees defended their decisions as well as trustee travel to national conferences and cost factors in tough economic times. Recently, as reported in The Ranger, six trustees and the board liaison, Phyllis RodriguezWilliams, traveled to San Francisco to attend an annual conference, “Achieving Success in a Global Economy: Navigating the Educational Landscape During Turbulent Times.” McClendon and three other trustees in attendance — Roberto Zárate, District 5, Gary Beitzel, District 8, and James Rindfuss, District 9 — said the trip was warranted because, in the past, they discovered efforts to save students textbook costs from other attending districts. This time, McClendon said one community college attributed its successes to single accreditation, even though, he said, outside discussions have little bearing on any decisions the board will make. Following the open forum, Dr. Jonathan Lee, history professor, said three years ago he was on a state governor’s commission, and, in the process, they reviewed the El Paso example board Chairman Denver McClendon referenced of a
Rowland Martin, representing the ad hoc Strategic Committee of Adjunct Faculty Council, asks to meet with the chancellor at the town hall meeting Oct. 22 in the nursing allied health center.
A forum with trustees and the chancellor at Palo Alto College is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 109 of the fine arts building. Forums at Northwest Vista and Northeast Lakeview have not been scheduled.
community college increasing student success because of single accreditation. Political science Professor Christy Woodward-Kaupert said this affirms the problem faculty and staff have with the board and current administration because San Francisco was a wasted trip. If they had more respect for employees of the colleges, trustees would never have a need to attend the conference and district money could have been saved. Some faculty and staff commented on separation and failed communication by district and board representatives. English Chair Alex Bernal said low morale at the colleges hurts the most with the staff. “They are the people who first meet our students,” he said. Bernal said he understands the difference between Leslie’s retention bonus and a raise, but trustees would have been better received by the masses if they had tabled the agenda item that approved the chancellor’s contract.
“It would have given the impression that you were listening,” he said. Many academic unit assistants have been employed with the district for more than 25 years, Bernal said, and they are only making $35,000 compared to Leslie’s $30,000 retention bonus. “We can deal with a few faculty leaving,” Bernal said. Instead of technical improvements, Bernal suggested being a people-first district and giving academic unit assistants, or what he called the fancy word for secretary, a few Christmas bonuses. Not all faculty and staff in attendance disapproved of the board and district’s direction. Manuel Flores, enrollment management director, quoted William G. McGinnis, stating: “A healthy, high-performing governing board is key to a community college’s success. Good boards attract and appoint good leaders, and when all focus together on student success, they benefit the whole campus and community. Likewise, a dysfunctional board hurts the entire college and community,” and Flores said it has led to a loss of accreditation in other districts. Flores said he approves of the district’s direction and its strategic plan to reinvent student success. McClendon said the board will continue to improve on the disconnect that exists among trustees, district administration and employees at the college level.
The Ranger
Oct. 30, 2009 • 7
Josh Stevens, an invited graffiti artist from Houston, retouches some detail on his art work. Education freshman Jackie De Los Reyes break dances to the music of one of the live DJs playing during the event.
Romello Arellano, 10, collects a signature from one of the graffiti artists using his own clothing as a black book.
Legal for just a day STORY AND PHOTOS BY LEDA GARCIA More than 50 aerosol artists from Germany, Spain and all around the country came to San Antonio to be part of the Clogged Caps 6 live art graffiti festival Saturday at The Yard, 525 San Pedro Ave. The event was sponsored by Red Bull energy drink and German Montana spray paint. Supher, a graffiti artist, who paid for a street closure permit, organized and coordinated the event. This is the first time the Clogged Caps event took place in this location where artists were able to come together and create graffiti legally on four reserved walls along The Yard, a clothing boutique, and Laura’s Laundry next door. The only aerosol exhibition in
Aerosol artists come together to create art at the Clogged Caps 6 festival Saturday at The Yard, 525 San Pedro Ave. the South, Supher said, included 10 local DJs with break dancing and skateboarding demos from sun up to sun down. Developing artists had the chance to get their black books, or practice sketch books, signed by other artists. “This event was awesome,” Adela Arellano, an attendee, said. “It was an eye-opener to my son who loves art.” Arellano’s son, 10-year-old Romello Arellano, did not have a black book, but he offered his white T-shirt and khaki shorts as a wearable canvas to collect signatures from the artists. “I enjoyed working, helping out at this event, especially with these artists because at one point, I used to look up to them,” said digital design freshman Trevor Miranda,
a volunteer at the event. “But now, I consider myself at the same level with most of the artists.” English freshman Jackie De Los Reyes showed off her break-dancing skills. “I liked that the community came together as one to enjoy the day with what brings joy to our hearts.” The graffiti art created by these aerosol muralists will stay up for at least six months for the community to enjoy, Josh Pearl, employee at The Yard, said. The four walls are perpendicular to San Pedro, two on the south side of Laura’s Laundry and two on the north side. For more information on graffiti events, go to www.thepaintyard.com. Though the artists were legal for the day, the Texas Penal Code ranks graffiti from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony offense depending on the level of damage.
Hera from Ma’Claim Crew of Germany paints a realistic graffiti piece along with her partner, Rusk. Depending on circumstances, the sentence can range from jail time of 180 days and a fine not to exceed $2,000 to 99 years and a fine of $10,000.
The Ranger
8 • Oct. 30, 2009
Student government election begins Monday By Zahra Farah The Student Government Association is accepting applications for the offices of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer and four commissioners-at-large. The positions will be from December 2009 to January 2011. Packets are available in the office of student life on the second floor of Loftin Student Center. Students who want to run must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average, be taking at least six hours at this college and be able to meet at 2 p.m. Mondays. Association President Julianne Cantu, political science sophomore, said students who are elected receive a scholarship of up to $500 for their elected term. The money covers books, but whatever is left over goes back to the college. “You want your focus to be on the student body, not about getting your books paid,” she said.
Packets must be submitted by today to dents have a presence, Cantu said. the office of student life or to any association “The board meetings are televised, so people adviser: Dawn Elmore-McCrary in Room 130A see us when we argue for the students’ needs,” she of Gonzales Hall, Christy Woodward-Kaupert said. Board meetings are shown on Time Warner in Room 217C of Chance Academic Center or Cable Channel 98. Tandy Schoolcraft in Room 102 of Nail Technical Cantu said association members are trying Center. to do as much good for the student Voting begins Nov. 2 on the PALS body as they can. Web site. Students also can go to the “I think if you’re going to be at Cyber Café on the second floor of the school for a while, you should Loftin to access PALS from a comdo something that will make a difputer there. Voting ends Nov. 6. ference,” she said. Cantu said students running for The association meets three office should be concerned about Mondays each month, with the students’ issues and not about the www.theranger.org third meeting serving as a forum Read the full monetary gain from being in office. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin during story online. “We are eight people who repwhich students can ask what their resent 24,000 students at SAC,” she elected members are doing. said. “The students’ interest is our No. 1 priority.” The date for the forum had not been deterAssociation members attend every board of mined. trustees meeting wearing matching shirts and The names of the new officers will be sitting in the front row to let trustees know stu- announced at that forum.
Librarian trial opens today By Vanessa M. Sanchez
After the shooting, the library closed and reopened on the new It has been a year since Northeast campus of Northeast Lakeview. Lakeview College Librarian Donald Library Dean Tracy Mendoza “Devin” Zimmerman was killed said in an e-mail Oct. 23 that the over a feud with a co-worker. college and library has “identified Alan Godin, a fora beautiful old-growth mer part-time librarlive oak to be designatian at the college, goes ed the Reading Tree in on trial at 9:30 a.m. honor of Devin’s pastoday in the 187th sion for the Earth and District Court. education.” Zimmerman was Mendoza also at work Oct. 20, 2008, noted the dedication Zimmerman in the Albertsons facilof the Donald Devin ity on Pat Booker Road Zimmerman Library when Godin, who lost a full-time Instruction Classroom. position to Zimmerman, walked Julie Nichols, who worked at into the library and fired repeatNorthwest Vista with Godin’s wife, edly at the librarian, witnesses Christine, has filled Zimmerman’s said. position since May. She said by Zimmerman was the only phone Tuesday that she enjoys injury. After firing, Godin sat being back at a community coldown, set down his gun and waitlege. ed for the police to arrive. He has Nichols worked at Northwest been in custody and charged with Vista for three years before transmurder in the first degree since ferring to the University of Texas then on a $250,000 bond. at San Antonio for 2 1/2 years.
The Ranger
Oct. 30, 2009 • 9
Three events to highlight needs of hungry Students can educate themselves on worldwide disparity. By Zahra Farah A dollar can buy seven meals for a family in San Antonio, though the San Antonio Food Bank, which has seen a 70 percent increase in demand this year. Because of the economy, the food bank has seen people from various walks of life, including some who never thought about where their next meal would come from, Erica Benavides, community investment manager at the San Antonio Food Bank, said Oct.22. Three events are scheduled this week to help feed the hungry. n honor of Hunger Awareness Month, the service learning office, with help from the college honor society Phi Theta Kappa, is sponsoring the college’s first Hunger Banquet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 5 in Room 120 of the visual arts center. Guest speakers will be Benavides and Caroline Richardson, a volunteer with Children’s Vision International in Colombia. A donation of $5 or five cans of food is requested. The hunger banquet is an opportunity for students and individuals to get engaged by walking in the shoes of people who have dealt with hunger, Benavides said. “The basic message to get across for students to attend the hunger banquet is for them to know they will be getting a chance to experience what it is like to go hungry,” she said. Economics Professor Susan Spencer, a Phi Theta Kappa adviser, said, “The hunger banquet is letting our city come take a moment to know how it feels to be poor.” Benavides said it is an eye-opening experience geared to move people to action. “It’s good to come in with an open mind because they’re going to get a different perspective on the world and on the community,” she said. The Oxfam Hunger Banquet reports if you were born in the United States, you can expect on average to live nearly 78 years. If you live in Zimbabwe, you have only a 43 percent chance of surviving past the age of 40. “We’re fairly well-insulated in Western society from these particular problems going on in the world,” said Justin Storrs, civic engagement
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meals are based on people’s different incomes around the world, so one student could be having a feast while another could be eating beans. What Storrs did not like about previous banquets he participated in was that they explained the problem but didn’t offer avenues for students to do something about it. “Other banquets would make students feel guilty,” he said. “I want to make students feel a part of the situation.” Storrs will offer students volunteer opportunities or students can simply donate food at any food drive. The food or money donations at the banquet will go to the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry to feed students at this college. The food pantry is open from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday in the basement of the Catholic Student Center at West Courtland and Belknap places. At Phi Theta Kappa, the philosophy is “Feed a body, feed a mind,” meaning having good health helps one perform better intellectually. “Investing in our students and community is a worthy investment,” Spencer said. Reservations for the hunger banquet are required by calling Storrs at 486-0760. heshyre Cheese Club is hosting the third annual Jack Leslie Food Drive, named in remembrance of Jack Leslie, the husband of a former club member. The purpose is to assist the Empowerment Center with providing a Thanksgiving meal for a family who might not have one, said project director John Brown, computer science freshman. “Last year, the club raised 400 pounds of food,” Brown said. Donation boxes will be located in each building’s departmental offices or welcome desks. Donations also will be accepted at the Cheshyre Cheese Club’s open mic night 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 6 in Loftin Student Center. The drive runs from Oct. 29 through Nov. 24. hi Theta Kappa is hosting its second annual Alumni Association “Pack the Prius” Thanksgiving food drive for the food pantry. Nonperishable food items and cash donations will be accepted 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday in the mall. “Any event that heightens individual awareness of being hungry, without doubt, is a good endeavor,” Spencer said.
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coordinator and a participant in the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America program. “It’s not necessarily bad, but our environment has borders, and it’s important to expand it because sooner or later what’s beyond those borders will affect you.” At the hunger banquet, Benavides’ role is to provide local and national perspectives on hunger and leave students a message to get involved in the fight against hunger, she said. “Part of what I will talk about is my personal experience with hunger, and my journey to the food bank,” she said. “I’m going to paint a personal picture of how people struggle to put food on the table.” Each week, about 25,000 people receive emergency food assistance from an agency in the San Antonio Food Bank network, states the Food Research Action Center at www.safoodbank.org. At the banquet, people will be picked at random to eat various meals, Storrs said. The
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The Ranger
10 • Oct. 30, 2009
Faculty question Zeigler Topics include telephone operators, temperature, contracts and construction bids. By Vanessa M. Sanchez
three buildings, the bond money was gone. Faculty concerns throughout “Chemistry-geology was honthe college dominated discussion estly a sick building,” he said, at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate and the extensive renovations meeting with college president, required took funds away from Dr. Robert Zeigler. working on the library. Library renovations were a However, faculty members touchy subject. said if no one ever tries to negotiZeigler said half of the third ate lower prices, the district will floor is complete, and “the other forever be paying top dollar. half is on the way.” DeArmond said there are also The lobby will be complete shelves that need to be fixed or though “not as extensive as the replaced and because of that, original plan, but it will be nice many books were unavailable. and changed to Zeigler said the match the rest of the college is working library.” on getting the older Librarian Celita shelves refurbished. DeArmond was The question not too happy with read: “We’re either that response. She freezing or hotter said when someone than hell, can you www.theranger.org Go online to read the entire agrees to do someexplain that?” story on the Faculty Senate thing, it needs to get Zeigler said, “I meeting with the president. done. don’t know. In Room Zeigler responded that there 612 (of Moody) it was 60 degrees. was about $15-20 million for the We’re trying to get that fixed.” renovations, but “we have money From freezing classrooms, the for one floor,” and at the moment, talk moved to freezing salaries. the plan is to do the rest as more Zeigler said there were money becomes available. changes to contracts, but it was a “We may well be able to get human resources decision. money to add on and complete it This year’s faculty contracts phase by phase,” he said. show only salary grade and level DeArmond countered, “The but not the actual salary as in library is the heart of the campus” past years. and should be renovated because The HR department decided the community voted on a bond to redo those to not show a salary, to do so. but employees are still required She said the library should be to sign and return them. a place where people want to Some members were congo, and at the moment, only one cerned that their contracts were floor is seeing any notion of new from August to August instead of life. from August to May and wanted People will not vote for anoth- that changed before they signed er bond now that the college is it. not doing what they said they Also noted was the fact that would with the 2005 bond money, some of the contracts did not she added. note if a faculty member had Zeigler said after renovating achieved tenure.
The Ranger
Premiere
Oct. 30, 2009 • 11
Display your talent, win an iPod Nano By Trey Randolph Two separate, but perhaps not equal, talent shows in November will feature talents of students and employees. The student talent show will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. Admission is free. Student activities specialist Carrie Hernandez said student tryouts will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Last year’s winner, Jon Coker, then a communications sophomore, won a $500 scholarship for his hip-hop choreography. Other entries have included singing, dancing and comedy.
Entry forms are available at the information desk in Loftin and may be turned in to student life in Room 152 of Loftin. Hernandez said four winners will be awarded iPod Nanos. Faculty and staff also have an upcoming talent show at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $15 military and seniors. Admission is free for Alamo Colleges students. All faculty and staff are encouraged to enter with a performance limited to four minutes. The faculty and staff show also will feature a silent auction to benefit technology at this col-
lege. The auction will be before the show, and a reception will follow the show. Each department represented in the show will be entered in a drawing to win a projector. Faculty and staff applications are available online at www.alamo.edu/sac/pr/pdf/talentApp2.pdf. The deadline for applications is noon Monday and may be faxed to Rose Gonzalez, executive secretary for the vice president of student affairs, at 486-1741. For more information on the student show, call Hernandez at 486-0128. For details of the faculty and staff show, call Gonzalez at 486-0953.
Psychic fair invites clairvoyant students Sociology and psychology professors believe psychic readings stem from curiosity. By Jason B. Hogan A psychic fair with three tarot card readers, a dream analyzer, palm reader, numerologist and a lip blot reader is scheduled from 10 a.m.2 p.m. Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. There will be seven stations set up for the event, student activities specialist Carrie Hernandez said, one for each reader. The fair is free. Psychics have graced the world for centuries in some form or fashion. In an article published by the Catholic Education Resource Center, tarot cards are purported to have come into existence in the 14th century because their first usage dates back to 1391 in Italy. There are 22 major enigmas printed on each card, which represent life’s mysteries and correspond to the letters in the Hebrew alphabet used by the Jewish in ancient divination. Fiftysix minor enigmas depict 14 figures that correlate to four series of paths: intellectual activities, government, military service and priesthood. At Encyclopedia.com, I Ching, or “Book of Changes,” is referenced as a method of divination that has been used for more than 5,000 years.
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Dr. Elizabeth De La Portilla, sociology instructor, said activities such as tarot card readings and I Ching have been around a long time, and their usage is cross-cultural. “They are tied into a belief system, whether religious or spiritual practice,” De La Portilla said. “They (participants) want to have control over their lives and they feel that these sort of activities” accomplish that. De La Portilla said these activities revolve around practices more faith-based than logical. But she said, “We need that as human beings.” Dr. Thomas Billimek, psychology chair, said people are more inclined to participate primarily out of curiosity. “We all look to have some degree of certainty, some degree of control,” he said. Adolf Hitler had a heavy reliance on having his future told, Billimek said, while also being thankful that it helped lead to his downfall. Billimek said people also delve into the art possibly because of a degree of uncertainty in life, so they seek any alternative means of knowing their future. He is skeptical that many people will make decisions based on any of those consultations. But Billimek said, “If the future is vague … it (psychic consultations) gives the feeling you have control, then I can see the attraction.” He also did not advise people to assess stock market tips and investments purely based on readings.
Tarot card readers, a dream analyzer and palm reader are scheduled to be appearing at the psychic fair Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Logical people do not let outside forces dictate their lives. Billimek said, “I would think that individuals who feel less secure about themselves would be the type of individuals who would seek out that information. Everyday people look at it to see what might turn up.”
Premi
12 • The Ranger
Dia de los Muertos
Mortuary science celebrates life with By Laura Garcia Next week, the mortuary science department invites you to a celebration involving skulls, spirits and gravesite decorations. This is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a time to celebrate the lives of and reunite with family members who have died. Day of the Dead altars cropped up all over campus this week, including in the foreign languages hallway in the academic instruction center, nursing and allied health complex and Nail Technical Center. The mortuary science department is hosting interactive information sessions 9 a.m.noon Monday and Tuesday in Nail. Sessions at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. each day include how to create “papel picado,” or intricately cut paper banners in Room 241, “alfeñiques,” which are sugar skulls made for children, in Room 234, and “ofrendas,” or traditional altars, in Room 231. Mortuary science Professor José Luis Moreno said the department is excited about the event and wants to stress the difference between Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Moreno is scheduled to direct a session on ofrendas and what to include in the ritual. On the south side of Nail near Room 243 is an altar created by mortuary science faculty. Another ofrenda will be created by students on Monday. Students are asked to bring photos and personal mementos of loved ones they have lost. The altars will be set up for two more weeks after
the celebration. Professor Felix B. Gonzales will instruct visitors Monday and Tuesday on how to create “very simple” papel picado or paper that is cut into decorative designs. He said the papel picado shows a different perspective and includes festive skeletons and skulls. The completed art will be displayed on the first floor of Nail. Gonzales said “death masks for the living” will be made from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on both days as a memento. In the past, people who were not wealthy would have a mold cast of their relatives right after they died. Now a newer technique is used, but he said the death masks will be fun to make and cited St. Therese’s sculpture at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church, 824 Kentucky Ave. St. Therese’s sister, who was also a nun in the same convent, made two death masks of her after the death. One was incorporated into the tomb chapel at Little Flower here and another is located in France. “It is the closest you will come to seeing her real face,” Gonzales said. A session on alfeñiques, or sugar skulls, will be taught by mortuary science Professor Francisco Solis but with a twist. Instead of the traditional pure sugar, he will use chocolate and decorative icing.
The pure sugar would take about eight hours to dry and Solis said young children would probably enjoy the chocolate more. Solis said Día de los Muertos is important because of cultural awareness especially with such a large Latino population on campus. He said it was appropriate for mortuary science to host the celebration. Following the sessions from 1 p.m.-3 p.m will be a “soft open house” where the public will be invited to tour the remodeling of the department. Refreshments will be served. The new classrooms have already been in use this semester, but the tour will give the public a chance to view the new embalming and anatomy rooms. Solis said that some people are not sure what the celebration is and ask if the holiday is about voodoo. “It’s only supposed to be a celebration of life.” For more information, call 486-1139.
Pre-Columbian and Catholic
Still confused about this holiday? This Latino custom was first celebrated more than 3,000 years ago, and has been a vital part of Mexican culture so deep-rooted that it survived the
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Oct. 30, 2009 • 13 Juan Carlos Campos
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Spanish conquest and was co-opted by the Catholic Church to coincide with the Catholic holidays All Saints’ and All Souls’ days with Nov. 1 reserved particularly for deceased children. According to “The Day of the Dead, When Two Worlds Meet in Oaxaca” written by Shawn D. Haley and Curt Fukuda, the influence el Día de Muertos has on the daily lives of southern Mexicans is “immeasurable.” The book says that the celebration is joyous and exuberant and has an impact on how people see the world and themselves in it. Around the middle of October, families visit the cemeteries and invite their loved ones to the celebration. They create altars in their home and host parties for which they save money all year long. In addition to the deceased relatives’ favorite foods, “pan de muerto,” or the bread of the dead, which resembles the shape of a skeleton, is ordered by many from bakeries. The popular sugar skulls also hold a deeper meaning. While outsiders may view the thought of eating candy skulls morbid, a Mexican views this act as immortalizing himself. He has no fear and laughs at death. This perspective also explains why artists
use skeletons to parody death. They mock death by creating papier maché sculptures and caricatures to show they have no fear. In America, many Mexican-Americans still take loved ones’ favorite foods and drinks to their gravesites and spend time visiting in the cemetery. Today, many people celebrate the Day of the Dead by taking part in citywide celebrations and purchasing Día de los Muertos artwork. For citywide events, go to www.sacalaveras.com. After this college’s celebration, you could head over to Centro Cultural Aztlan for their 32nd annual Día de los Muertos celebration at 1800 Fredericksburg Road. The opening reception starts at 6 p.m. and will feature a performance by Urban 15 and installation art created by dozens of local artists. For more information, call 432-1896.
The Ranger
14 • Oct. 30, 2009
‘Aesop’s Fables’ shares moral tales starting Monday Destiny Mata
By Mario Anguiano The stage play “Aesop’s Fables,” which opens Monday, is based on a series of stories told by animals who share moral values with children and adults. The play, presented by the department of theater and speech communication, was adapted by Robert Lehan. Theater and speech communications Instructor Charles Falcon is director, and theater sophomore Ray Seams is assistant director. Aesop was believed to be a former Greek slave in the mid 5th century B.C. Many of his more than 650 fables have been adapted into plays often involving anthropomorphic animals advocating morals. This adapted version focuses on three fables. In “The Lion and the Mouse,” Lion discovers Mouse’s size is nothing compared to his abilities. “Dog in the Manger” demonstrates that boasting gets one nowhere. In “The Ant
and the Grasshoppers,” Aesop puts an opportunity to present an emphasis on “work now, play a play many people are later.” familiar with. Economics sophomore Andrew Daytime productions Olmos, who plays Aesop, said the for school groups with costumes and scenery look great reservations will be at and thinks many in the audience 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. will respond to “The Ant and the Monday through Nov. 6. Grasshoppers.” Admission is $1 for schoolOlmos said the story relates to age students; and no his experiences and that one must charge for adults. work hard in the present to attain General audiences can the joys of relaxation later. see “Aesop’s Fables” at 7:30 Falcon said he told his cast Economics sophomore Andrew Olmos p.m. Thursday and Nov. 6 to research many of the tales. He plays Aesop during dress rehearsal and at 12:30 p.m. and 2 said the ability to tell a story was for ‘Aesop’s Fables’ Wednesday in p.m. Nov. 7 in the audithe first step toward getting into McAllister. torium of McAllister Fine character. Arts Center. Admission is Falcon said the decision to produce “Aesop’s $5 for adults; $3 for children age 12 and under; Fables” as this year’s children’s play came from and free for Alamo College Community District economical thinking. With budgets continuing students, faculty and staff with ID. to decrease in most departments, Falcon saw For more information, call 486-0484.
Calendar
The Ranger Today SAC Event: Mike Canales Variety Band 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Event: Costume contest 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
social 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Event: United Methodist Student Movement Hot Potato 12:15 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Continues Tuesdays. Call 733-1441.
Oct. 30, 2009 • 15 Nov. 7
Nov. 17
Event: San Antonio’s Fittest Games 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Alamo CrossFit, 14381 Blanco. $25 registration benefits the Wounded Warrior Project. Call 279-9259.
SAC Concert: Latin Jazz combo 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255. Nov. 18
Nov. 9
SAC Concert: Wind Ensemble 2 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.
SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ noon-1 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues Tuesdays. Call 486-1233.
SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
Wednesday
Nov. 10
SAC Event: 3-on-3 soccer 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at San Pedro Springs Park. Call 486-0125.
SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club noon-1 p.m. in Room 101 of nursing education. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.
SAC Concert: Mariachi Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.
SAC Meeting: Go Green appreciation meeting 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy Program Peers 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Room 128 of Gonzales. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.
SAC Event: Sociology Department open house 10 a.m-2 p.m. in Room 303 of Chance. Call 486-1319.
SAC Event: Video games 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Cyber Cafe of Loftin. Continues Fridays. Call 486-0125.
Saturday SAC Event: Phi Theta Kappa Ronald McDonald Halloween party noon-2 p.m. in the Ronald McDonald House, 227 Lewis. Call 486-0431. Sunday Event: “Leaving Behind Time” 2 p.m. in the auditorium of Leeper at McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368.
Nov. 11
SAC Meeting: Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Continues Mondays. Call 486-0125. SAC Event: 3-point shoot-out 3 p.m.-5 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 486-0125. Tuesday
Event: Get Reel Film 6:30 p.m. in Chiego at McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368. SAC Performance: “SAC Has Talent” 7 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $15 military and seniors; and free for Alamo Colleges students. Call 486-0953.
SAC Event: Spa Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the mall. Call 486-0125.
Nov. 23
SAC Meeting: Psychology Club 2 p.m.3 p.m. in Room 606 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.
SPC Event: Turkey Taste Off 11:30 a.m. at Central Market on 4821 Broadway. Call 486-2315.
SAC Event: Blood drive through Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of Candler. Call 486-0125.
SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Rooms 612-613 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.
Nov. 13
Nov. 29
SAC Event: Dance Dance Revolution 1 p.m.–4 p.m. in the game room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
Event: Him-A-Hero 2 p.m. in the Valero Learning Center at the McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368.
SAC Meeting: SACNAS 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125. SAC Meeting: American Institute of Architecture Students 4 p.m.-5 p.m. in Room 251 of Chance. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125. Thursday SAC Event: United Methodist Student Movement Bible study with free lunch at 12:10 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Continues Thursdays. Call 733-1441.
Nov. 30 SAC Event: Outdoor movie “Harry Potter” 7:20 p.m.-10 p.m. in the mall. Call 486-0125. Nov. 14 SAC Tourney: Racquetball tournamet to benefit Kinesiology Scholarship Fund 9 a.m. in Candler. Call 486-1029. Nov. 15 Lecture: “Restituting the Goudstikker Collection” 2 p.m. in Chiego at the McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368.
SAC Event: Psychology Club ice cream For coverage call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
Nov. 19
SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 127 of Gonzales. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.
Monday SAC Event: United Methodist Student Movement worship service 11 a.m.-noon in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Continues Mondays. Call 733-1441.
SAC Event: Meet the Majors 9 a.m.noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
Event: Roger Shimomura “Him-A-Hero” 6:30 p.m. in the sculpture gallery of Stieren at the McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368.
Nov. 16 SAC Concert: Guitar ensemble 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.
SAC Event: Student art is LIFE Stone Metal Press, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Continues through Dec.4. Call 486-0125. Dec. 3 SAC Concert: Holiday benefit concert 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Donations appreciated. Call 486-0255.
Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: South West Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College
16 • Oct. 30, 2009
People
The Ranger Leda Garcia
Writing excellence: The Writing Center recognized 300 students for excellence in writing Oct. 23 in Koehler. Andrea Branch
D.A. James
Moving on: Public relations sophomore Jennifer Flores and kinesiology sophomore Jessica Flores listen as Belinda Celis, University of Texas at Austin, answers their questions at the transfer fair in the nursing and allied health complex Wednesday. Henriette Mutegwaraba
Cancer awareness (above):
Dental assisting sophomore Tiffany Burg examines a cancerous breast model Oct. 22 in Loftin. The breast cancer awareness booth was sponsored by the Peer Educators.
Gift of life:
Medical assistant Mary Robles helps education freshman Victor Mata, who donated blood Tuesday in a mobile blood van on the mall west of Moody. Two hundred students signed up to donate blood to the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center by 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The Ranger
People
Oct. 30, 2009 • 17 Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Regis L. Roberts
Gardening:
Raindrops: Rain water puddles inside the academic instruction center Monday. Leaky windows in the new building are scheduled to be repaired by today.
Karen Solis, tourism freshman at Palo Alto College, tills soil while dancing to merengue music Oct. 23 at the Roots of Change Community Garden on East Commerce. Originally from Peru, Solis was part of a group of Palo Alto students who worked on the already-established community garden.
18 • Oct. 30, 2009
Editorial
The Ranger Laura Garcia
The Ranger
Editor Jason B. Hogan Managing Editor Vanessa M. Sanchez Calendar Editor Henry A. Chavarria Photo Editor Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Photographers Leda Garcia Destiny Mata Photo Team Andrea Branch, D.A. James, Henriette Mutegwaraba Production Manager Laura Garcia Production Assistant Alena Ramirez Newsroom Assistant Zahra Farah Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Staff Writers Mario Anguiano, Tyler K. Cleveland, Emilio Davila, Sharon Hensley, Trey Randolph Web Editor/Circulation Regis L. Roberts ©2009 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.
The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations. News contributions accepted by telephone (486-1773), by fax (486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request (486-1765). The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Associated Press. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters
to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two doublespaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 486-1789. Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s printed name, classification, major, Social Security number and telephone number. For more information, call 486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Because of high production costs, members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Opinion
The Ranger
Use campus help to sharpen edge Some experts say the recession is nearly over. But the national unemployment rate is still at 9.8 percent. With so many people out there looking for jobs, you need to think about what will give you the edge after college. Employers do care about appearances regardless of discrimination laws. The way to stand out from the pack and get hired has less to do with beauty pageant looks and more with what your résumé says and how you present yourself. There are ways to get around this unfair hiring practice. This campus has a multitude of resources for students ready to go into the job market. Go to the Magic Closet and pull out a conservative suit to wear to your interview. It costs nothing and was set up especially to help women in need of business attire. Remember to mimic the style of clothing of employees at the place you are applying. The Magic Closet is on the lower level of the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. Call 486-0904 or 4860903 for more information. But nice clothes won’t be enough to seal the deal. Next, head over to career services in the counseling center on the first floor of Moody Learning Center. Staff there will be able to direct students on where and how to apply for the job they want. The resources there are practically unlimited. Keep going until you get the job.
Still nervous about going after the job you want? Try going to the Peer Educators in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center and talk with the student advisers about your anxiety. They can help ease nerves and provide a place to vent in case the interviews don’t go as planned. All conversation is confidential. Their number is 486-1448. Don’t forget to get to know a couple of your professors or visit one that you respected in previous semesters. Make an appointment to talk about your job preferences and concerns. Have them look over your résumé and ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Most faculty members will jump at the chance to help a student succeed after college. How do you think they made it in their field of interest? They went after their goals and used all the resources available to them. No one will hold your hand during this monumental task in life. But this college gets you pretty far with its immense amount of opportunities. Your job is to have the tenacity it takes to get that job. As John Quiñones said Oct. 21 on campus: Don’t listen to what anyone tells you. He was discouraged because of his Hispanic accent, but his bilingual skills got him hired at ABC. He’s still there, has earned the respect of his peers and serves as a source of inspiration for others to follow their own dreams.
Book more student entertainers The office of student life seldom invites a student to the stage as part of the Live in Loftin series. Hawaiian hip hop artist Sean City, a music business freshman here, was a refreshing change. Student life should lend a helping hand to students, especially because students can be paid out of the student activity fee that all students
contribute to. In addition, our local bands, singersongwriters, song birds, comedians and dancers could use the experience on stage with a friendly audience. Tap some of the acts from the upcoming talent show. What better way to entertain students than with the talents of fellow students. This also will attract
more students to events in Loftin, justifying the expense of hiring acts that only a handful of people see or are subjected to when they grab a quick bite to eat. Besides, dollars spent on San Antonians generate much more income for the city than if those same dollars are spent on out-of-town acts. These days that’s important.
Oct. 30, 2009 • 19
Opt out of rotten deal On Oct. 20, officials of the Alamo Community College District began a push for a phased retirement plan for fiscal year 2009-10 with a Q&A session with the district’s benefits and human resources records manager in Loftin. Elisa Hernandez explained the details of the plan the board approved Sept. 15. This is not a retirement plan; it’s a part-time employment plan designed to benefit the district. With a hiring freeze for anyone below the associate vice chancellor level, the positions occupied by potential retirees will not be filled. The same amount of work remains to be done, and we’re not staffed sufficiently now. So maybe after a month, chairs and directors can entice their recently retired employees back at half time and pay. The hallmark of district employees is being studentcentered hard workers. Our employees get the job done. No one should be surprised if the “retirees” stick around just a few more minutes that can turn easily into a few more hours to keep from leaving their former colleagues swamped. Report those extra hours and you lose your retirement benefits for the month. In the horrific economic climate that plagues this country and the world as a whole, who can afford that? Don’t report them and the district won’t have to pay you for them. More savings for the district. Forget about retiring for now. Wait until the district is ready to make you an offer you can’t refuse. You deserve it.
20 • Oct. 30, 2009
Opinion
The Ranger
This witch prefers a merry, scary Halloween Juan Carlos Campos
By the time you read this, there will be only a matter of hours until my Halloween Viewpoint by Vanessa M. Sanchez crunch time. Maybe it was because I was born with a twin and on our dad’s birthday in early December that contributed to my choosing Halloween as one of my favorite days. It may sound selfish, but I never had a day specifically for me; the majority of the time, I let my sister decide or compromised with her on what we would do to celebrate. Maybe it was because I have always loved horror films and books for the gory scenes. Either way, I love Halloween. Halloween is a day I have always found entertaining and fun and maintain a mental countdown for, and it wasn’t just because of the free candy. In my house, we celebrated pretty much every holiday, but for some reason Halloween was the one celebration that stuck out for me. Maybe it has something to do with the chill and windy fall weather, the scary movies on TV and the hype from the community, but there was always something that started me planning for the next year by the end of Halloween night. My siblings and I participated when it came to carving the pumpkin and decorating the house. My parents always had to cut the pumpkin for us, but as soon as that stemmed crown was removed, it turned into a mini party with my brother and sister at my side dying to get our hands dirty scooping out the seeds. Sometimes, we’d carve a vampire, but usually, we carved a smirking face, placed a candle in
the center and set it in front of a window for the world to see. From that one pumpkin sitting by the window, I have grown to love painting faces and designs on smaller ones and placing those on the dining room table. Within the past five years, more or less, I have invested an easy $60 on those pumpkins and have multiple plastic pumpkins and several actual pumpkins. We never had much lighting around the apartment, but it worked out, providing an eerie feel inside while cobwebs along with black and orange paper chains filled the ceiling’s empty spots. There was always one rubber bat that hung on the stairwell between the first and second floors that, somehow, was stolen almost every year. It was pretty much my family’s signature that the Halloween season had begun. The opportunity to scare people with my homemade witch costumes contributed to my love of Halloween. Recently, the children in my neighborhood have proved to take a lot more to scare than what I found scary when I was younger. By about middle school, I had to decide if I was too old for dress up or join the other half of the population and continue with my Halloween spirit. Needless to say, Halloween continued to be my favorite holiday. Since then, I have gone through stages of defining what, to me, is scary, and how to portray that at home and in costume. When I dress up for whatever Halloween event I attend, I like to keep my costume versatile. There is family evidence of me dressed up as a princess, but for the majority of my childhood, I was a witch of some sort. Today, I think I inspired my peers
Courtesy Photo
Journalism sophomore Vanessa Sanchez, then 5 years old, with older brother, Ryan, then 6 years old, pose for a family photo before trick or treating in their neighborhood. with my Halloween fascination. One of them said that he thinks about Halloween more because they can look to me for ideas on how to decorate. Another said she is more aware of Halloween merchandise and now considers her costume before it’s too late to get one. Even my Dad, not the biggest fan of decapitated heads hanging from the carport, contributes to how to make the house look more
haunted. Then there’s my costume to consider. You won’t catch me checking out the princess, fairy or bumblebee costumes unless someone else is going to wear them. I prefer a scary Halloween. I decorate my house to complement my costume for a fuller effect for the children who come trick or treating in hopes that they will continue their fascination with the culture of Halloween.
The Ranger
Opinion
Oct. 30, 2009 • 21
Letters Reader strikes gold Editor: Your article titled “Additional financial aid available” came right on time for me. Besides being a college student, I am also a mother of two. I am currently unemployed so any funds I do receive go toward continuing my education and taking care of my family. At the point when the article came out, my household was in financial distress, and we weren’t really too sure how things were going to work out. Luckily, I like to get a dose of campus news every Friday from The Ranger. When I picked up the issue on Oct. 9, I nearly jumped out of my seat at the sight of the offering of free money. Those two words have to be my most favorite words in the world: free and money! The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that 50 percent of all college grads have an average of $10,000 or more to pay
back on their college loans (http://www.financialaidfinder.com/real-cost-of-student-loans. html), so the fact that this was a grant that I wouldn’t have to pay back was appealing to me as well. The following Tuesday, I rushed to my high school (Sam Houston) and requested my transcript. Wednesday, I was able to stop at the financial aid office where I was able to talk with Madeline Lester. She was very friendly and helpful, informing me that my check would be coming sooner than I had actually anticipated. I walked into that office a little apprehensive about the idea of free money and how easy everything would be, and walked out with a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. The fact that reading an article had such a big impact on my life prompted me to encourage others to read The Ranger and inform them
When I picked up the issue of Oct. 9, I nearly jumped out of my seat at the sight of the offering of free money. about the additional financial aid that had become available. Just as it has helped me, I am hoping that someone else will be liberated from the strongholds of finances. Knowing that I will have money coming soon has eased my mind and helped me to stay focused on my studies rather than worrying about my money situation at home. I appreciate The Ranger for being there to “hit the nail on the head” and deliver the news that will have a positive impact on its readers. Tamara Sayles Journalism Freshman
22 • Oct. 30, 2009
Pulse
The Ranger Destiny Mata
Nurse: Don’t panic in panic attack By Tyler K. Cleveland A female student was treated by EMS on the second floor of Loftin Student Center Oct. 22 for what her friends said was an anxiety attack. LVN Josie Noriega of the college health center declined to comment on the incident but offered some information about the effects of anxiety and panic disorders. “Some may feel it coming, some don’t,” Noriega said, but there are ways to handle the respiratory distress without panicking. Anxiety is the body’s response to stress, which may be internalized from external forces such as family and work life, Noriega said. It’s when anxiety becomes excessive and uncontrolled that it can become an anxiety disorder or panic attack. The body responds with an increased heart rate and respiratory levels, caused by the shortness of breath and lack of oxygen to the lungs. Tingling of the arms, cramping and even fainting are some of the effects caused by anxiety attacks, Noriega said.
Some people report feeling as if they are suffering a heart attack, she said. Many patients diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders are provided the tools they need to handle an attack, including medication and breathing exercises, she said. If an anxiety or panic attack occurs, Noriega recommends that students remain calm by breathing in through the nose and out slowly through the mouth to lower respiratory rates. Students can visit the health center in Room 119 of Chance to relax until the attack subsides. “Students don’t have to call 911 first,” Noriega said, noting that the center can “more or less take care of the situation.” The center can be reached by calling 486-0222. Until help arrives, Noriega said companions should remind the stricken person about the breathing technique to calm them. For more information on anxiety and panic disorders, visit the Anxiety Disorder Association of America’s Web site at http://www.adaa.org.
Campus police and paramedics respond to a student having a panic attack in Loftin Oct. 22.
Upcoming games women’s soccer
3 p.m. Oct. 31 @ SAC vs. Abilene Christian 3 p.m. Nov. 8 @ SAC vs. A&M Corpus Christi
3 p.m. Nov. 15 @ Abilene Christian
The Ranger
Lady Rangers tame Tigers in volleyball win
Pulse
Oct. 30, 2009 • 23 Photos by Destiny Mata
Undefeated team wins three of four matches Oct. 22. By Tyler K. Cleveland The Lady Rangers defeated St. Philip’s College Oct. 22, dominating the Tigers in three of four games in Candler Physical Education Center. After trailing by a close margin halfway through the first game, biology sophomore Bethany “It was probably Watson put her team our weakest game. in the lead with a We need to kill at 17-16, and the establish ourselves Lady Rangers held as a team.” off the Tigers to win 25-23. Nicole Plata At the break, communications Coach Marisa sophomore Martinez urged her team to communicate with each other and call out the ball coverage. But the coach’s words didn’t translate into positive action — the Tigers capitalized on the miscommunication and won the second game 15-25. This prompted a comeback from the Lady Rangers. Led by the defensive efforts of American Sign Language sophomore Stephanie Muñoz and a punishing offensive of kinesiology sophomore Jasmine Faison’s eight kills, the Lady Rangers coasted to a 25-11 win. The Lady Rangers “came together and stayed together through the last game,” Martinez said after winning 25-18. Faison added seven more kills, tallying the most of any player on the evening. “We didn’t have energy at the beginning,” Martinez said. Communications sophomore Nicole Plata rated the performance as something to improve upon. “It was probably our weakest game,” Plata said, noting that the team lacked cohesiveness. “We need to establish ourselves as a team.” They will visit the Palo Alto College Lady Palominos at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the natatorium/gymnasium complex. The undefeated Lady Rangers were scheduled to play Northwest Vista College Wildcats at 7 p.m. Thursday in Huisache Hall. For more information, call Aaron Tavitas, assistant coordinator of student leadership/activities, at 486-0134.
Biology freshman Faith Evans blocks a ball by Victoria College. The women’s volleyball team won against Victoria College Oct. 22 in Candler. American Sign Language sophomore Stephanie Muñoz returns the ball against the St. Philip’s College Tigers Oct. 22 in Candler.
Upcoming games women’s volleyball 7 p.m. Nov. 5 @ PAC vs. Palo Alto College 7 p.m. Nov. 12 @ SAC vs. Trinity University 7 p.m. Nov. 19 @ Victoria vs. Victoria College 7 p.m. Dec. 3 @ SPC vs. St. Philip’s College 8 p.m. Jan. 21 @ SAC vs. Northwest Vista College
The Ranger
24 • Oct. 30, 2009
Photos by Leda Garcia
Theater sophomore Ray Seams prepares visitors to the Bloody Ball, the Onstage Drama Club’s haunted house, to encounter frightening characters.
Theater sophomore Grace George retouches theater freshman Amanda Villareal’s make up just before the Bloody Ball’s start.
Theater sophomore Lupe Zapata decorates the haunted house entrance on the north site of Loftin Oct. 23.
Bloody Ball Onstage Drama Club creates chills and thrills.
Crowd views “corpse” in theater sophomore Ray Seams’ group trekking through the haunted house.
Digital design sophomore Lorlyn Reeves practices with the rest of the Onstage Drama Club a few minutes before opening. Theater and RTF sophomore John Perez and theater sophomore Barbara Reeves portray a mother and her murderous daughter.
Theater freshman James Bond and business administration freshman Silvia Aguilar practice dancing before the first group enters the haunted house.