The Ranger
2 • Oct. 9, 2009
Leda Garcia
Photographer’s name
All that jazz: This college’s Latin Jazz Combo directed by music Instructor Alice Gomez performs as part of Hispanic Heritage Month Tuesday in McAllister. Sarah Day
Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Breakfast is served: Forensics freshman Brandi Tamez buys a breakfast taco from medical assisting freshman Yanelly Rudalcava at the new food kiosk on the first floor of the academic instruction center. The kiosk is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Fast: Nutrition sophomore Marcos Reyes wins second place in a two-mile race Sept. 28 at San Pedro Springs Park. Reyes won a SAC T-shirt. His time was 15:53. Nursing freshman Juan Castillo placed first with 13:05. Deborah Harrison
Moving: Joe Martinez, education sophomore and work-study at the library, takes apart shelves Sept. 28 on the third floor of Moody. The third floor is being renovated, and books and shelves needed to be removed to make way for renovation. Fundraiser: Broadcasting sophomore David O’Rourke, music business sophomore Mickey Sweet, and broadcasting freshmen Dallas Williams and Areli Gallegos sell raffle tickets Oct. 1 for KSYM 90.1 FM at Fuddruckers. Radio station CDs and T-shirts were raffled, and all proceeds went to the station.
The Ranger • Vol. 84 • Issue 4
Oct. 9, 2009 • 3
The Ranger
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
2 People 4 News
Como se dicé ‘budget cuts’ By Steven L. Moya
4 Art students forced into minimalism By Laura Garcia Photo by Destiny Mata
5 Students, faculty invited to share free drink, talk By Mario Anguiano
5 Additional financial aid available for freshmen By Vanessa M. Sanchez
6 Trustees travel to San Francisco for conference By Laura Garcia Photo by Destiny Mata
7 NLC president wants clarity in accreditation discussion By Regis L. Roberts
8 Premiere
SAISD students treated to special ‘Leading Ladies’ performance By Mario Anguiano Photo by Destiny Mata
8 Chalk Day rain date proposed Cover illustration by Juan Carlos Campos
9 Installation art exhibit opens
Only online @ theranger.org
By Catherine Boully
9 Fotoseptiembre emphasizes cultural diversity Story and photos by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
11 Central receiving vs. the elements By Jason B. Hogan Photos by Regis L. Roberts
10 Calendar
“I could not comment on allocations through the colleges. They base it off of the number of contact hours produced by individual departments. The allocations are independent from college to college.” James McLaughlin Vice chancellor for administration
12 Editorials
Cartoon Student life needs improvement Only you can ensure safety Student customers deserve better service 14 Letters to the editor Lost in an older crowd What doesn’t go up, can come out They’re saying online 15 Blotter
McLaughlin retires after two-year tenure at district People slideshow Texan minorities soon to be majority, professor says Holiday Card designers wanted Retired professor talks about traditions of curanderismo
16 Backpage Walking tour traces campus history
By Emilio Davila Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland
www.theranger.org
The Ranger
4 • Oct. 9, 2009
Como se dicé ‘budget cuts’ By Steven L. Moya The foreign languages department at this college is one of many facing challenges this semester because of a 30 percent budget cut. Starting this fall, foreign languages cut the entire German program consisting of five classes, including full-time temporary Instructor James Dunn. Len McClure, full-time temporary instructor of Chinese and Englishas-a-second-language, also left because of budget cuts. A direct effect is felt in the class-
room. Foreign languages Chair Anna Budzinski said, “Class sizes increased up to 32 students, which makes learning a foreign language very difficult.” Adjunct faculty in most of the language courses are allowed to teach up to 11 semester hours, many earning a part-time salary of about $16,000 a year. Even with the increase in class size, the amount of classroom space has diminished. “We have to rent classrooms from the Incarnate Word dual-credit facility on Main Street,” Budzinski said.
While all departments are feeling squeezed, the common thread for the foreign languages department has been the increase in class size. Spanish Professor Sergio Martinez said, “I used to teach on average 90 to 100 students in all my classes combined. Now the average is about 120 students combined.” Martinez said, “In a foreign language class, it is important to have fewer number of students, so they have the opportunity to practice. It is much more difficult to teach when you have that many students in your class.”
The foreign languages faculty is encouraged not to make copies and to convert class curriculum into digital format. In the end, the biggest impact budget cuts have had is in the faculty members’ pocketbooks. “I have been at San Antonio College for 20 years. This is the first time I have not received a raise,” Martinez said. The 2009-10 budget passed by the Alamo Community College District board of trustees in August did not include across-the-board raises or step-increases for faculty.
Art students forced into minimalism Cutbacks in budget means less lab time, limited supplies.
Destiny Mata
By Laura Garcia Visual arts students are not immune to the effects of budget cuts. Lab and studio hours are not what they used to be. The department’s current adjunct to full-time faculty ratio exceeds the 50 percent goal Chancellor Bruce Leslie called for earlier this year. Two full-time visual arts faculty members retired, and the positions haven’t been filled. Adjuncts are taking over those courses, Chair Mark Pritchett said. The department needs another full-time staff member to meet the students’ lab and studio needs, but a hiring freeze prevents them from hiring full-time employees. “We could use another lab tech for sure,” Pritchett said. The building includes a computer lab, photo lab, painting studio and printmaking shop. The sculpture and drawing studios are available when a faculty member is present to supervise students, usually only during class times. All labs are open to students enrolled in that particular class. There is also a ceramics studio in the carriage house of Koehler Cultural Center. Lab hours are 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Thursdays. The lab and studios close at 3 p.m. Friday and are no longer available Saturday. Senior lab technician Sam Reyna said it had
Astrud Aguirre, UTSA biology graduate, assembles a canvas for her painting class Tuesday.
been at least three years since the department last offered Saturday lab hours. Art students are in class or lab for six hours per week for a three-hour course credit. Still, some students say they don’t have enough time to complete projects and assignments. Fine arts sophomore Lola Rathke said the painting studio hours do not suit her schedule. She is a full-time student and works full-time. “It’s almost impossible to get enough time to do any of my work,” Rathke said. “If they could open the studios on Saturdays, it would be a huge benefit for those students who work during the week and even if they extended the hours on Fridays.” Astrud Aguirre, a continuing education student who has a bachelor of science from University of Texas at San Antonio, agrees. Aguirre said this college has one of the best art programs in the city and that’s one of the
reasons she’s come back to take art courses here. “I’ve seen the budget cuts,” she said. Aguirre remembers when they had more studio time when there were two full-time and one part-time lab technicians. She said that the studios used to be open until 9:30 p.m. weekdays, but “they just don’t have the staff.” She went on, “I don’t know where the money is going, but it would be nice to see Saturday labs again.” All departments and the whole district are hurting from cuts, she said. Reyna said there are 61 hours a week of available lab and studio time for students. If they hired another full-time technician, it would probably only add about six hours to that time, not including Saturdays. Reyna’s records show that on average only about eight students come in on the weekend. He said it would be nice to accommodate weekend students, but during the week, they serve about 1,500 students. It just made sense to do away with the Saturday hours. Elia Zepeda, lab technician for visual arts and digital design, said students are dependent on the labs and studios because at home they don’t have access to costly computer software for digital design, printing presses for printmaking, darkrooms for fine arts photography or physical space for painting. Reyna said lab technicians aren’t allowed to work overtime because they won’t get paid for it. “I get a lot of sob stories, but I can only work so many hours,” Zepeda said.
The Ranger
Oct. 9, 2009 • 5
Students, faculty invited to share free drink, talk
Photo Illustration by Destiny Mata
Fresh Taste food service donates choice of coffee or medium soft drink. By Mario Anguiano Students and faculty stress about schedules and time management – it’s a given. So about a year ago, the office of student life created the Faculty Latte Initiative. The program gives pairs of faculty members and students a drink on the house in Loftin Student Center. Either a student or faculty member throws out the invitation, and the two can take advantage of Loftin’s relaxed atmosphere to enjoy each other’s company along with a free cup of coffee or mediumsized fountain drink. Student life Director Jorge Posadas said his staff hopes to engage students outside overall academic mentality of students, of the classroom and looks for ways to help such as long-term life goals, passing their faculty engage students. classes, satisfying graduation requirePosadas said one of the ideas that ments, graduating and transferring. helped spawn the Faculty Latte Initiative The Faculty Latte Initiative is not fundwas taking away the role that students may ed through the student activity fee includfind themselves in, approaching a busy ed in tuition. instructor behind a cluttered desk in a Posadas said initially student life was cramped office, with only minutes at a time going to fund the initiative, but instead the to spare. cafeteria food services “It’s a student took on the expense as Cafeteria staff sees at least space,” he said, referits contribution to camone student-faculty pair ring to Loftin’s unorthopus life. each day. dox “office” for students Chris De La Rosa, which gives the pair mutual ground, which assistant manager of Fresh Taste, said that Posadas said “really builds community.” every day they see at least one studentPosadas stressed that one way to “tie the faculty pair come through the line. students, the faculty and the school closer Posadas is waiting for the program’s to each other” is through an emphasis on popularity to boom and the student body the engagement process. “Sometimes there to take the initiative of issuing invitations. isn’t always a good time or a good place,” The Faculty Latte Initiative is one step in he said. many big dreams Posadas has for campus. The Faculty Latte Initiative, though, creHe would like to one day see a relaxates a more personalized setting so that the ation room with numerous chairs, a workatmosphere is comfortable for any type of out room with accommodating hours and discussion. admittance, more tables and chairs in “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity,” he Loftin, televisions located around Loftin said, “and we know that students do better” and maybe one day a free lunch with that with additional faculty interaction. free drink for a one-on-one, student-facThe improvement may not be in the ulty pair. class directly, though. Posadas said he Posadas laughed and said, “I thought I’d would like to see an improvement in the start off with a coffee.”
Additional financial aid available College has awarded $2 million in Texas grants so far. By Vanessa M. Sanchez More financial aid is available for freshmen at this college this semester, according to the director of student financial services. This college has awarded more than $2 million in Texas Grants and Texas Educational Opportunity Grants, or TEOG grants, to 1,125 students, according to an e-mail from Tomas Campos, director of student financial services. To qualify for the additional aid, students must have “graduated or earned their GED within the past 16 months and attempted less than 30 hours,” the e-mail read. The e-mail also stated that the money is available only for Madeline Lester students who completed the FASFA that resulted in an estimated family contribution of less than $4,000. Madeline Lester, financial aid grant adviser, said to those who want to try for that money to “make sure you have an official transcript.” Lester also said those transcripts must mention the program from which the student graduated, recommended or distinguished, for example, and contain a signature from a school representative. There is no deadline, but financial aid is distributed on a first-come-first-served basis so Lester recommends eligible students visit her office as soon as possible. Students who meet the requirements may go to the financial services office in Room 101 of Fletcher Administration Center and ask for Lester. From there, she will take students’ transcripts and fill out the application for them. The financial services office is open 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 486-0600. Take transcript to student financial services office to apply for additional aid funds.
The Ranger
6 • Oct. 9, 2009
Six trustees, liaison travel to conference San Francisco San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
District cost is estimated at $7,646.10. By Jason B. Hogan Six of nine trustees and board liaison Phyllis Rodriguez-Williams traveled to San Francisco for the 40th annual Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Congress. The conference “Achieving Success in a Global Economy: Navigating the Educational Landscape During Turbulent Times” began Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the Hilton San Francisco Hotel Attending are Chairman Denver McClendon, District 2; Marcello Casillas, District 4; Roberto Zárate, District 5; Dr. Gene Sprague,
The Golden Gate Bridge District 6; Gary Beitzel, District 8; and James Rindfuss, District 9. The congress is one of nine events allowed annually without board approval, pursuant to Policy B.3.5, Board Members: Conventions, Conferences and Workshops. The district is paying expenses including transportation, hotel at a single-room rate, $80 per diem and conference registration and fees.
Cost for the seven are not available yet, but the estimated cost Wednesday was $7,646.10. The ACCT Web site states that the Hilton is sold out for Thursday, but assuming the trustees reserved early enough, the rate for a threenight stay is $189 a night for a room with a kingsize bed. Alternative hotels listed on the Web site of the conference ranged
from $149.10 to $239.20 per night. The average cost of a roundtrip flight to San Francisco, as of Wednesday, was $325, but trustees likely purchased well in advance. At $80 per day, the meal cost for the four-day conference is $2,240. Trustees have 60 days after their return to submit their expenses for reimbursement, along with a completed travel and expense statement, receipts and either a printing of an authorized annual conference list or authorization by the board through a minute order. Expenses not covered in the policy may still be refundable. Trustees must submit a request to the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee, and then, the committee can submit it to the board for official approval.
The Ranger
Oct. 9, 2009 • 7
NLC president wants clarity in accreditation discussions Separate budget auditing for Northeast Lakeview College could cost up to $2 million.
McClendon has not responded to phone calls asking for clarification on what he based his conclusion, but debate has dealt largely with the Southern Association of Colleges and By Regis L. Roberts Schools requiring separate budget audits for schools seeking accreditation. Debate about restructuring the Alamo McClendon and Leslie stated in that same Community College District as one meeting that the district uses a accredited institution has centered single audit and trying to separate on the stalled status of Northeast Northeast Lakeview’s budget from Lakeview College’s accreditation. that of the district would come But Dr. Eric Reno, the college at great cost and take too long. president, wants to make sure the Subsequent estimates have been $1 public has the whole story. “I just million-$2 million. Go online for longer want them to know the facts,” Reno Dr. Jackie Claunch, president version of story. said in mid-September. of Northwest Vista College and coIn a June 16 board meeting, board Chairman chair of the Accreditation Review Committee, Denver McClendon charged Chancellor Bruce said the costs associated with separating the Leslie with exploring the merits of either acquiraudits comes from reworking the auditing sysing single accreditation for the five colleges of tems in place to what needs to be changed. the district or remaining separately accredited In response to a slew of assumptions and colleges based on the notion that Northeast conclusions circulating within the district Lakeview was struggling to attain accreditation. and elsewhere following the board meet-
ing, Reno distributed a memo to Northeast Lakeview employees clarifying that the college was neither denied nor even applied for accreditation from SACS at the time of the board meeting. What was sent to SACS in July was an “application for candidacy,” not an application for accreditation, Reno said. An application for candidacy is a dialogue between the college and SACS. This volley of information and data ensures that all is in order before it is sent to SACS’ committees that ultimately decide the college’s fate, according to explanatory correspondences given to Northeast Lakeview staff and obtained by the San Antonio Express-News through a public information request. Reno has confirmed this. Dr. Ann Chard, vice president of the Commission on Colleges at SACS, said in an e-mail to The Ranger that the application for candidacy is the first step a college takes when seeking membership.
8 • The Ranger
Premiere Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle
Photoseptiembre exhibits emphasize cultural diversity By Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Seventy-two exhibits and events across San Antonio and the Hill Country comprised the photo festival Photoseptiembre. “From the very outset, this had to be a community festival. It was never our intention to have a festival that would only be museum based. Everybody had to be able to join in,” Michael Mehl, festival founder and photographer, said Sept. 22 at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico at HemisFair Plaza. Mehl and his wife, Ann Kinser, founded the international photo festival 15 years ago. “This group of exhibits here (at the instituto) in the last couple of years have come to define our signature exhibit,” Mehl said. “These are the exhibits we coordinate and curate ourselves — a full range of exhibitions we think are of interest and significance.” There currently are four exhibitions at the institute. When programming the show for these four exhibits, organizers usually look for a traditional Mexican photographer, typically deceased; regional photos from Mexico, either contemporary or vintage; an international component; and a San Antonio group, Mehl said.
Period images from Nuevo Leon hang in the Diego Rivera Gallery. Leo Matiz’s traditional black-andwhite portrait photos are in the Jose Clemente Orozco Gallery. Six photographers from Europe form The Mini Series II, using digital manipulation in their photos, in the David Alfaro Siqueiros Gallery. In the Frida Kahlo Gallery hang pictures from students and alumni from the Say Si organization. All run through Oct. 25. Mehl said he never has exhibited his own work at the festival. “I don’t have the money to do that. And it’s too expensive to do both, so either I exhibit or produce the festival,” he said. There is also a sister-festival of Photoseptiembre in Mexico City. “The festival here is more inclusive, more eclectic and has an international compontent,” Mehl said. Photoseptiembre in San Antonio is privately owned by Mehl and his wife. The festival in Mexico City is run by the government. Anyone can show their photos in Photoseptiembre if they sign up, pay a fee and organize their own exhibition. Every exhibit in the festival is documented in the Photoseptiembre blog. For more information, go to www. safotofestival.com.
Destiny Mata
Cast of ‘Leading Ladies’ performs for high schools By Mario Anguiano
Michael Mehl talks about one of his favorite photos, by photographer Alastair Magnaldo, Sept. 22 at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico in HemisFair Plaza.
Oct. 9, 2009 • 9
About 140 students from five San Antonio Independent School District high schools watched a special performance of “Leading Ladies” Wednesday morning in the second-floor theater of McCreless Hall. The theater and speech department invited the students and their theater instructors to the play, written by Ken Ludwig and directed by theater and speech Professor Jim Mammarella. “I think it’s a marvelous opportunity,” Sarah Young De Trejo, chair of fine arts at Sam Houston High School, said Wednesday. Young De Trejo said she was excited about the event and the chance her students received to see what it may be like to continue acting into their college
careers. “The kids get to know that there are so many other things to do in theater,” she said. Edison High School theater instructor Omar Leos said that through the experience there was empathy added to his students’ audience perspective. “I want the kids to see as much live performances as possible,” he said. Leos said he hopes that along with learning acting etiquette that his students also learn how to be an audience member. He said his students may benefit from seeing “students who are not much older than they are,” gaining insight into how to perform better together and how to adjust to acting as an ensemble. Leos said he hoped Wednesday’s performance will inspire high school students to do more acting, whether in the
professional field or for the local community. Following the play, students were able to ask questions and gain an understanding of a more complex production schedule, and overall insight into how the theater and speech communication department functions on campus. The comedy, which opened Oct. 1, deals with two starving, British “Shakespearean” actors and their plot to inherit a woman’s fortune by passing themselves off as her relatives. “Leading Ladies” will continue at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in McCreless Theater. Admission is free for ACCD students and employees with ID. General admission is $10; seniors, military and children age 5 and older, $5. No one under age 5 will be admitted.
Cast members of “Leading Ladies” answer a question from Brackenridge High School senior Jasmine Brannom on how they felt about kissing for the play after attending a special performance Wednesday in McCreless.
Chalk Day for arty expressions File photo
Chalk Day, which celebrates freedom of speech and assembly, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in the mall –weather permitting. The annual event is sponsored by The Ranger and the media communications department, and held in conjuction with National Newspaper Week, which this year is observed Oct. 4-10. San Antonio was under a flash flood warning, with an 80 percent of thunderstorms predicted for today, as of press time. If inclement weather occurs today, the rain date for Chalk Day is Oct. 16. Other observances are planned this month on similar themes. National Freedom of Speech Week begins Oct. 19. The Student Press Law Center is encouraging journalism students to emphasize the importance of the First Amendment in Americans’ lives. National Day on Writing will be celebrated on campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20. Booths will be set up on campus staffed by student groups, including the Cheshyre Cheese Club, Student Government Association, the Writing Center staff and the Society of Professional Journalists, English instructor Jane Focht-Hansen said.
Installation art exhibit opens to students By Catherine L. Boully
A Student who inspired Chalk Day Other events planned are a poetry celebration Oct. 22 and a writing celebration Oct. 23. Chalk Day got its start on campus in 2004, when former student Gabriel Garza left a bucket of chalk with a friend at the mall to see what would happen while he went to class, journal-
ism Instructor Irene Abrego said. Even though the event is a celebration of freedom of speech, participants are encouraged to follow similar standards to those used by The Ranger. “We discourage people from using obscenities,” Abrego said.
rtist David Meyer’s exhibit, “Air Into Breath,” which opens Tuesday, is installation art involving 300 thin, parallel strips of vinyl equally spaced and suspended on an aluminum frame. “How we comprehend what we are seeing is based on what we have experienced or simply, what we see is what we know,” Meyer said in a press release. Meyer earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Delaware, where he is an assistant professor in the department of art. He has received numerous awards such as the Individual
Artist Fellowship in 2000 from the Delaware Division of the Arts for Emerging Professional Artists. On his Web site he states, “Over the last decade or so, I have worked with steel, glass, marble, dirt, weeds, insects, bacteria, seeds, flour, gold leaf foil, fabric and old books. I work out of respect for each material’s inherent integrity and a passion for creating beautiful objects and experiences.” For more information on Meyer’s work, visit his Web site at http://davidmeyer. info. Meyer will lecture to students and the public at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Room 120 of visual arts. A reception will follow.
Calendar
10 • Oct. 9, 2009
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
sponsored by career services 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0135. SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club noon-1 p.m. in Room 101 of nursing education. Call 486-0125. SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy Program Peers 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Room 128 of Gonzales. Call 486-0125.
Today SAC Concert: Renaissance concert at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.
SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Rooms 612-613 of Moody. Call 4860125.
SAC Event: “Los Vendidos” student theater 10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. in the theater of McCreless. Call 486-0125.
SAC Meeting: Psychology Club 2 p.m.3 p.m. in Room 606 of Moody. Call 486-0125.
SAC Event: Coffee and open mic night 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the round in Loftin. Call 4860125.
SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 127 of Gonzales. Call 486-0125.
SAC Event: Sean Castillo and the Hubcaps live 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
www.theranger.org Find out about more upcoming events online.
Monday SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.
SAC Meeting: American Institute of Architecture Students 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. in Room 251 of Chance. Call 486-0125. Thursday
SAC KSYM Talk: Chancellor Bruce Leslie on “The Sauce” 7:30 a.m. on 90.1 FM. Call 486-5796.
Tuesday SAC Event: Yu-gi-oh tournament 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Event: Poetry read-in 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in Koehler. Call 486-0125.
McNay Event: “All in the Family: African American Art and Dutch Paintings” 5 p.m. –8:30 p.m. in Chiego. Call 824-5368. SAC Event: Faculty recital with Janet Tracy and Lauren Eberhart 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 4860255.
Wednesday SAC Event: $18 flu shots 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Loftin. Continues Thursday. Call 486-0125. PAC Event: Flu shots 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the health center. Call 486-3222. SAC Event: Medical and health job fair
PAC Event: Horticulture Club plant sale 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the greenhouse. Call 486-3073.
For coverage in Calendar, call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
The Ranger
The Ranger
Oct. 9, 2009 • 11
Central receiving camps without storage Photos by Regis L. Roberts
Live Oak stop-order prohibits use of two district-owned buildings. By Jason B. Hogan The district’s central receiving service has been left to contend with the elements at 7990 Pat Booker Road since moving from Southwest Campus at the beginning of the spring semester, and now it is storing district materiel outside. The service is a distribution point for deliveries to the district and storage of unused or discarded property. Adjacent district properties listed as 7980 and 7982 Pat Booker Road were issued a stopwork order Aug. 25 for non-compliance of code by Live Oak’s development services department. Ken Steiner, Live Oak’s building official, said the last building permit issued to the district was for demolition. It expired March 23. He said a stop-work order was placed against the district’s operations at the properties because employees were occupying the premises and using the sites as storage facilities. “That is against the law,” Steiner said. “Live wires were hanging from everywhere. Once they were done, they were supposed to pull the permit.” Since then, Steiner said a project to remove the roof was performed, but not much else. Live Oak’s development services has not heard from the district since the demolition permit was pulled, Steiner said, unless officials spoke with administrative assistant Donna Lowder, who was unavailable, but the system shows no further issuance of permits. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, said the stop-work order was issued because materiel management employees began using the two properties for storage facilities, which is in violation of city ordinances because the building is still classified as in demolition stages until renovation work is completed. Strybos said that since employees attempted to use the structure as a storage area, no further work has been performed. Materiel management has had an issue of storage shortage since it relocated to 7990 Pat Booker Road from Southwest Campus, Strybos said. “They had been at Southwest Campus for years, and then Dr. (Adena) Losten (St. Philip’s College president) got some grant money from the U.S. Department of Education,” he said. Early in the spring semester, Losten used the money to fund a renewable resource project
Forklifts at central receiving at the Northeast Campus sit in a fenced-off area just off Pat Booker Road.
and required the space that materiel management occupied, Strybos said. The move forced central receiving to store records, equipment and furniture outside. This summer, San Antonio experienced record high temperatures that exceeded triple-digit numbers for more than 60 consecutive days, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. A storage container yard situated behind the main building was lined with about 30 containers labeled “admin records,” but they were secured, so it is unknown if their contents are CDs and diskettes or file folders. The yard sits at about a 10-degree incline, which makes transport of materials from the furthest containers treacherous. Richard Cavazos, manager of materiel management, offered a no-comment statement Sept. 2, when asked about working conditions and employee morale, saying Leo Zuniga, district director of communications, must authorize release of any information. “I have not said a thing,” Zuniga said. “They know if the media calls, then let us (communications department) handle it. But I don’t remember having that kind of conversation.” Cavazos did allow a visual inspection of the grounds. The “staging area” was riddled with desktop computers, wooden workstations, leather- and fabric-covered chairs, weather-worn wheelchairs and forklifts exposed to the elements. Thursday, Cavazos, then said, everything
Live Oak code violations stopped work on buildings. that was not metal or concrete was damaged because of heavy rains over the last month. “If we can salvage them, we will. If not, we dispose of them. That’s standard procedure.” A sale is forecasted for sometime in November, Cavazos said, and he is expecting three storage bins from this campus at the end of October, an arrangement with St. Philip’s College is closing and they are working with Palo Alto College on a deal. Zuniga said central receiving picks up obsolete materials from other district areas and publicly auctions them off after placing advertisements through the community via e-mail. Zuniga and Strybos announced Monday that an official notice is being drawn up to announce Strybos is charged with oversight of operations for the Pat Booker properties.
12 • Oct. 9, 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 Sarah Day, Deborah Harrison Production Manager Laura Garcia Production Assistant Alena Ramirez Newsroom Assistant Zahra Farah Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Staff Writers Mario Anguiano, Catherine L. Boully, Tyler K. Cleveland, Emilio Davila, Steven L. Moya, 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.
The Ranger
Editorial
Oct. 9, 2009 • 13
Student life needs improvement
Student customers deserve better service
The office of student life expects to get $411,730 for this academic year from the student activity fee that collects $1 per semester hour from students at this college. Every student pays this fee along with tuition — even online and evening students are required to pay. This money is supposed to be used for nonacademic student activities that will benefit students. Many blindly pay this fee with no clue as to what it does for them. Student life does a mediocre job at best at serving all students. In the current economic recession, every dollar matters. And every dollar a student pays to this college should contribute to their educational experience in some way. They pay tuition expecting to learn something and leave as well-rounded educated people. They pay this activity fee every semester, and they should get something in return. Sure, student life does a good enough job with spa days and karaoke. And maybe some student organizations can persuade the Student Activity Fee Committee to fund a portion of their trips. But what about the rest of the students? They deserve entertainment and cultural enrichment, too. Maybe student life could do some research and bring an inspirational speaker, historical figure or a popular music act to campus once in awhile. Since the board is all about consolidation, maybe the student life departments from all of the colleges in the district could team up and bring more speakers to town of the stature of ABC newsman John Quiñones. His appearance Oct. 21 is sponsored by the Fine Arts and Cultural Events Series. They would share the expense of travel, room and board and schedule the speaker to come visit our campus as well as the others all in the same trip. Whatever student life does, they should keep the students’ interests in mind. If they sponsored something worthwhile maybe evening and online students would be prompted to come to it. All students deserve better. It’s like a student paying for a ticket to a show they will never go to. With $411,730, they can surely afford it.
The chancellor has often referred to this district as a corporate entity, saying once that it would be OK if we made a profit. We’re not profitable; we’re in the red and still cutting. District officials have often referred to our customer service. This district is trying to function as a business, but as customers, we demand better service. Good customer service can be expensive, but the return is worth it for the customer and the “company.” Don’t vote for tuition increases, especially the recent international fee increase, during a committee meeting, through an agenda item that did not even warrant discussion and without considering what it could mean to us, while simultaneously cutting our services because the “company” wants to save a buck. We understand that the district colleges are economical com-
pared to surrounding area universities and institutions, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to put the burden on us because trustees are unwilling to raise taxes. Stop hiring at district; we do not need associate vice chancellors of anything. If the chancellor can’t operate without them, then he’s not the leader we need. What we, the customers, need, are more employees in the Writing Center, which as of Monday was already booked until Friday. We need more faculty and staff to assist us in attaining success. There should be more funding to the SLAC lab to allow night and weekend students access to computers instead of cutting hours. The district needs to trim the unnecessary while redirecting funding instead to student services. If they don’t, the recordbreaking 60,000-plus “customers” that officials are so excited about will shop elsewhere.
You, not cameras, ensure safety At $1,200 per camera — 277 on this campus alone worth $332,400 — the surveillance investment by the district comes to $1,234,800. Students and employees should feel safe, but cameras don’t ensure safety and security. District DPS is going to need every available set of eyes to deter crime on our campuses. Most crimes in the community are witnessed by someone, but often go unreported — stolen purses, backpacks, shattered vehicle windows with missing books and iPods. These crimes need to be reported, meaning some individual initiative is required. The effort to increase the safety and security of the district is
commendable, but the real security is in each of us keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior and reporting it immediately. In addition, the price tag seems pretty stiff for a system that stores only one month of images. If you don’t hear about a crime for a month, you likely have already lost any footage of the crime. Shouldn’t these files be maintained indefinitely? You never know when you’ll discover that you have valuable footage that could help solve a crime. But security systems or not, it is still up to everyone to have an awareness of their surroundings. The next vehicle break-in just might be yours.
14 • Oct. 9, 2009
Letters
The Ranger File photo
Lost in an older crowd Editor: As a first-year college student, I must admit I had a much different experience than I expected. I thought going to college straight out of high school would help make the transition easier. But instead of feeling that the classes I am taking will allow me to flourish and discover the career field I belong in, I seem to be just another face in the crowd. Without a doubt, the number of adults returning to better their education rose much more then anyone anticipated. I find that I’m the youngest in most, if not all, my classes. But with everyone striving to climb up the corporate ladder, where does that leave future generations who have yet to realize the mess their ancestors have made for them? Maria Hermosillo Journalism Freshman
Online Steve Marquardt Tue Oct 6 2009 15:24 Congratulations to the San Antonio College Library for taking part in Banned Books Week! But readers should know that the main BBW sponsor – the American Library Association – has failed to defend the most notable recent victims of censorship. In Cuba, inquiring minds have challenged state censorship by establishing dozens of independent neighborhood libraries, offering uncensored literature to fellow citizens. Volunteer librarians are being assaulted, persecuted and imprisoned, some sentenced to more than 20 years. For more details on this betrayal of intellectual freedom, readers can see the “Friends of Cuban Libraries” Web site on the Internet.
Nathan Hunt had to go up and down stairs in Chance Oct. 2 to reach his third-floor class when the elevators failed.
Replace, don’t repair elevators Editor: several days, which has led to The elevator malfunction in them missing lectures that may Chance Academic be on the midterm. Center is of great Though help concern for students has been offered by with disabilities. disability support It is a shame that services in the form the school has not of note-taking, it is been able to fix the still not the same problem. as actually being in www.theranger.org See story online. Students with the class and taking disabilities have part. been missing their classes for The professor may be using
visuals and the student may not learn as much reading it on paper because we all have different learning styles. This wouldn’t be the first elevator malfunction that I’ve heard of. Isn’t it time to replace the elevators? Would it be cheaper to replace them instead of constantly paying to repair them? Mary Cruz Rosas Photography Sophomore
Student’s plight shows problems of veterans Editor: Jason B. Hogan’s online article “Out-of-order elevators don’t keep student from attending his class” is important in helping us comprehend the problems and obstacles that many people like Nathan Hunt are passing through because of wars and conflicts. He has been in four overseas missions in his 10 years of Army service. Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait are the places
where he served. He lost his two legs in Iraq to roadside ordnance. Nathan Hunt dragged himself up three floors in Chance Academic Center twice to get to his class because of a malfunctioning elevator. This is a courageous effort from this man who has fought for us and is still fighting for his life. Marcelo A. Gonzalez Liberal Arts Sophomore
The Ranger
San Antonio College Sept. 21 – An individual reported a fight that occurred at an area nightclub. An individual reported her concern about an ex-boyfriend possibly coming to campus to harass her. An individual reported a male viewing pornography on a district computer. Sept. 22 - An individual reported district property being stolen off campus. An individual reported a female and sick daughter walking to the bus stop in the rain. Sept. 24 - An individual reported falling and being injured on a previous day.
Oct. 9, 2009 • 15
Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
An individual reported a disturbance. No disturbance found. Sept. 25 - An individual reported a male throwing a rock at him. An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle. Sept. 26 - An individual reported damage to district property. An individual reported damage to a district vehicle.
Palo Alto College
St. Philip’s College
Sept. 21 - An individual advised of a temporary restraining order.
Sept. 20 - An individual reported a male burglarizing an office.
An individual reported a male touching her in an inappropriate way.
Sept. 21 - An individual reported a suspicious male looking into vehicles.
Sept. 23 - An individual reported graffiti in a men’s restroom.
Sept. 22 - An individual reported a male following her off campus.
An individual reported a male and female fighting. Sept. 24 - A criminal trespass warning was issued to a male.
www.theranger.org
An individual reported a child left unattended. Parent located.
Go online for the complete blotter and for official contact information.
Sept. 25 - An individual reported a male and female fighting. The female was issued a citation for assault.
Sept. 23 - An individual reported two suspicious males near a vehicle. Sept. 24 - An individual reported damage in a district restroom from a water leak.
The Ranger
16 • Oct. 9, 2009
Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland
David Mrizek, vice president of college services, gives a campus tour and history lesson Sept. 29.
Walking tour traces campus history By Emilio Davila
A
bout 40 people spent two hours learning about the history of this campus during a walking tour led by David Mrizek, vice president of college services, as part of Employee Development Day Sept. 29. The tour began at Fletcher A fault line along the edge of the Edwards Plateau accounts for the Administration Center with a description of the beginning of this college. Much of the higher elevation of McAllister. land was purchased or donated from homeowners in the area over time, Mrizek said. In the late 1980s, a bond issue was passed that changed the look of the campus. West Dewey Place was closed to traffic from Belknap Place to San Pedro Avenue. Heading south, the tour stopped to admire the solidity of Moody Learning Center, which Mrizek described as a veritable bomb shelter. Moody owes its Moody features reinforced concrete built to withstand the weight of stoutness to numerous large columns and books. The building also served as a bomb shelter for the city during rebar-enforced concrete that was meant to withstand the weight of books. the Cold War. Next stop on the tour was Nail Technical
Center, where 23,000 students were registered in three days in the 1970s, he said. Heading north, the group entered McCreless Hall, which served as the administration office and library when it was erected in 1950. The group then zigzagged its way west, where the bridge over Dewey allowed a view of San Pedro Springs Park and a vista of the west end of campus. It is here that a fault along the edge of the Edwards Plateau can be plainly seen and accounts for the fact that McAllister Fine Arts Center is at a higher elevation than the rest of the campus, he said. Below the bridge, near the intersection of Dewey and San Pedro, are doors that once allowed access into some of the caves that constitute the Edwards Aquifer. Other sites on the tour included Scobee Planetarium, the garden area between Gonzales Hall and Loftin Student Center, McCreless and McAllister Fine Arts Center, the Bennett House, Koehler Cultural Center and Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building. Koehler Cultural Center, 310 W. Ashby, was built in 1901 by German immigrant Otto Koehler. He enjoyed its unobstructed view of the city and his City Brewery, now Pearl Brewery.
Below the bridge between McCreless and McAllister, where Dewey intersects with San Pedro, are covered doors that lead to caves. Because of the relative dryness, the caverns were rented to the city to store official records.