Single copies free • 210-486-1773
This week Campus closes for holidays Alamo Colleges will be closed Thursday through Sunday for Thanksgiving and reopen Nov. 26. Offices at all district colleges will close Dec. 24 for winter break and will reopen Jan. 7. Classes for the spring semester begin Jan. 22 after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday Jan. 21. For more information, visit alamo.edu/calendars.
Rebecca Salinas
Last day to drop with W Tuesday Tuesday is the deadline for students to drop classes with a W. Students must meet with their course instructor to decide if dropping a course is best for them before the instructor can drop them from a course, David Rodriguez, director of counseling, said. Instructors can drop students only for exceeding the number of absences allowed by the college attendance policy. After the census date, students cannot drop courses using from their ACES account. “The reason for meeting with the instructor is because nobody wants students to drop classes unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he said. Rodriguez said when students meet with their instructor, they can discuss options, such as extra credit opportunities, to prevent the drop. If students are dropping all their courses for the semester, they must see a counselor, he said. “If a student is at the point where they’re dropping everything for the semester, many times there’s something significant going on other than just academics and we want to see if there is any assistance we can provide,” Rodriguez said. Although course drops do not affect a student’s GPA, they do affect financial aid, academic progress and the cost to repeat the courses, he said. A three-peat penalty charges out-of-state tuition for a course taken three or more times, and the six-drop rule allows only six dropped courses during a student’s undergraduate career. For more information, call the counseling center at 210-486-0333.
Alma Linda Manzanares
/ReadTheRanger
@TheRangerSAC
Scan The Ranger
Vol. 87 Issue 9 • Nov. 19, 2012
theranger.org
Committee member denies arrest records By JENNIFER LUNA sac-ranger@alamo.edu
A student appointed to the Student Activity Fee Committee, which oversees the allocation of about $400,000 in student fees, shares the same name as a person with a criminal background that includes three convictions for theft, a felony conviction for burglary and one conviction for writing hot checks that resulted in a year in jail. The committee member, addiction counseling sophomore Jeff Schnoor, maintains he is not the person listed in Texas Department of Public Safety documents with 16 variations of the name and two birthdates. “That’s another Jeff Schnoor,” he said Tuesday. He declined to provide a reporter his birth date and full name. After his appointment by the Student Government Association in early October, Schnoor told the committee Oct. 12 in introducing himself that he had been president of student governments at St. Philip’s College, Palo Alto College and the University of Maryland at College Park. The University of Maryland at College Park could find no record of a former student named Jeff Schnoor. No one at Palo Alto College could confirm his serving as a student government president. In an interview Tuesday, Schnoor admitted that he had been student
Jeff Schnoor, top left, participates in a Student Activity Fee Committee meeting Oct. 12. Monica Correa government president only at St. Philip’s, which he said was in 2003, and that he only helped student governments at College Park and Palo Alto. He said he would provide documents from College Park, but had not done so by deadline. “I’ve helped over at Palo Alto and University of Maryland and some other colleges,” he said. A St. Philip’s dean of student success secretary confirmed by telephone Tuesday that Schnoor had been a student government president at St. Philip’s. Public records show that the person using a version of Schnoor’s name has had seven arrests dating back to 1991 and as recently as
March 16, 2012. This person served over a year in state prison. The arrests for theft were reported in Tom Green County. A mug shot obtained from the county sheriff’s office bears a strong resemblance to Schnoor. The first arrest was in 1991 for Class C theft of less than $50. The next arrest for this person was in 1992 for a Class B theft between $50 and $500, which resulted in three months probation. An arrest in 1996 for a person using his name was a first-degree felony for burglary of habitation of more than $200,000. The person using Schnoor’s name received 10 years probation.
On Nov. 1, 1999, a person using one of the 16 versions of Schnoor’s name in DPS records was arrested for writing $2,688.77 in bad checks, pleaded guilty and was jailed for 457 days, according to records from the 119th Judicial District in Tom Green County. In September 2000, a person using Schnoor’s name was arrested in Tom Green County for unauthorized use of a vehicle. The most recent arrest for a person with a variation of that name was March 16, 2012, for driving with an invalid or suspended license in Tom Green County.
See COMMITTEE, Page 4
Disabled students frustrated with access By PAULA CHRISTINE SCHULER sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Some mobility-challenged students at this college have questioned whether moving the office of disability support services to the first floor of Moody Learning Center Aug. 1 serves their best interests. They complain of difficulties with access, an inadequate cell phone signal in the office and a VIAtrans drop-off point that is often blocked by other vehicles and difficult to use in the rain. They say mobility issues with construction projects underway all over campus add to frustration. Education sophomores Mariana Solis and Meloday Magallanez, kinesiology sophomore Zachry Arambula and liberal arts sophomore Charlie Shivley at different times asked the same question, “Why did DSS have to move?” DSS moved to the first floor of Moody Learning Center Aug. 1 from the first floor in Chance Academic
Liberal arts sophomore Charlie Shivley and his wife, Sherrie, wait for a VIAtrans shuttle Wednesday east of Moody. Access for the shuttle is blocked by a district truck parked in the tow-away zone. Sergio Ramirez Center, a building designed for ease of access, to be near the office of veterans affairs. “I thought they were going to turn that place into something else,” Arambula said of the space in Chance. “I went by there (Chance Room 124) the other day,” he said. “It was just empty.” Solis, Magallanez and Shivley expressed puzzlement on why the office of veterans affairs was not able to move into Room 119 of Chance, near the old DSS office. Students and staff report cell phone service is poor in Moody with only two cell
Charlie Shivley service providers with signals reaching indoors to the DSS office spaces. On Aug. 1, DSS students met with Emma Mendiola, dean of student affairs, at their request. The content of the meeting remains confidential, except that it included location change concerns, Magallanez said.
She quoted Mendiola responding to student concerns by saying, “I had to move my office too, and the paint wasn’t the paint I wanted, but I dealt with it.” DSS assistant Delia De Luna attended the meeting and corroborated this quote. In an interview with Mendiola Nov. 7, Mendiola learned Magallanez interpreted her comment as suggesting the paint on the walls was comparable to their challenges navigating campus with wheelchairs and canes. “There is no comparison, but yeah, I’m not going to
make light of their abilities,” Mendiola said. “We have to find some place in the middle so they can do for themselves.” Mendiola said she has been working for Alamo Colleges for about 20 years and she spent her first three years in DSS. Her background includes a master’s degree in social work. “I would never want to insult someone by assuming that they can’t do for themselves,” she said. “That was one of the lessons they taught me when I worked in DSS.” Mendiola’s impression of the Aug. 1 meeting was that student questions and concerns were answered and students felt better when the meeting was done. She was surprised to learn the Magallanez had said later, “This campus seems to not give a crap about us.” Mendiola said Alamo Colleges wants to educate the whole student, not just the academic part of the student, but the whole person
See DISABLED, Page 4
People
2 • The Ranger
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org/people
Calendar For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance. Today
Nov. 27
Deadline: Rental Returns deadline for Fall/Flex is Dec. 18. Call 210-733-5960.
ACCD Deadline: Last day to withdraw for 14-week fall session.
ACCD Registration: Open registration for spring semester.
SAC Advising: University of Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Nov. 28
SAC Workshop: Adobe Illustrator sponsored by the student technology center 8 a.m.-9 a.m. in Room 542 of Moody. Call 210-486-0160 SAC Advising: Texas Lutheran 9 a.m.noon on the first floor of Chance. SAC Advising: Texas State 9 a.m.-noon on the first floor of Chance. SAC Meeting: Student Government noon-1 p.m. in craft room on Loftin. Continues Mondays. Call 210-486-0133. SAC Meeting: Men’s Bible study 1 p.m.-2 p.m. at the Church of Christ Student Center, 301 W. Dewey. Continues Mondays. Call 210-736-6750. SAC Meeting: Parkour Club at 3 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Continues Thursdays. Call 210-486-1023. SAC Performance: Choir concert sponsored by fine arts at 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-4861030. Tuesday SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ now called “Cru” 1:30 p.m. in Room 004 of Chance Academic Center. Continues Tuesdays. Wednesday SAC Meeting: Ladies Bible study 1 p.m.-2 p.m. at the Church of Christ Student Center, 301 W. Dewey. Continues Mondays. Call 210-736-6750. SAC Meeting: Gay Ally and Lesbian Association 3 p.m. in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210-201-4252. SAC Meeting: San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement at 4 p.m. in Room 101 of Gonzales. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210 849-8066 or visit www.facebook. com/saiym.sac.210.
SAC Advising: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the first floor of Chance.
SAC Event: Teaching Academy Program Peers speaker series: “What Can I Do Today to be a Great Teacher Tomorrow?” by Sylvia Lovelace, teacher for the San Antonio Alliance, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Room 129 in Gonzales. Call 210-486-0658. Nov. 29 Deadline: Fourth installment pay plan, 33 percent of tuition and fees due. Call 210-486-0201. SAC Meeting: President’s Roundtable 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. sponsored by student life and student government in craft room of Loftin. Call 486-0128. SPC Event: Career TechED Expo 2012 sponsored by applied science and technology division 4 p.m.-8 p.m. in building I at Southwest Campus. Call 210-486-7015. Nov. 30 Trinity Performance: Christmas Concert sponsored by the music department 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Laurie auditorium. Call 210-999-8212. SAC Event: “Harvest the Empire” and “Illegal Movie” screening sponsored by San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement 3 p.m.-5 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210-849-8066. SAC Concert: Percussion Ensemble sponsored by department of fine arts at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Dec. 4 Deadline: Last day to withdraw for fall Flex 2 session. Dec. 5
Nov. 26 St. Mary’s Drive: Miracle on 36th Street Toy Drive sponsored by campus police department 7 a.m.-noon in conference Room D in University Center. Continues through Dec. 21. Call 210436-3668.
SAC Event: SAC holiday tree-decorating celebration sponsored by student life 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0128. SAC Event: Snow Day sponsored by student life 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0128. Dec. 7 SAC Event: National Cotton Candy Day sponsored by student life 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0128. Dec. 10
SAC Advising: Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on the first floor of Chance.
Below: Kathy Ma, program specialist at UTSA’s Confucius Institute, helps liberal arts freshman Homer Sandoval into a king’s costume during a Chinese Culture presentation Tuesday in Oppenheimer for International Education Awareness Week. The presentation included other activities such as calligraphy, mask-painting and paper-cutting. Monica Correa
SAC Event: Foosball Tournament sponsored by student life 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128.
Friday Event: 23rd Annual International Mercado de Paz Peace Market 10 a.m.6 p.m. at Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro. Continues through Friday. Call 210-288-0201 or visit www. esperanzacenter.org.
Left: Nursing sophomore Edric Filpo asks Chancellor Bruce Leslie if more signs can be put up around campus where parking is available during Chat with the Chancellor Thursday in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin. Leslie said Filpo would need to get in touch with Dr. Robert Vela, vice president for academic and student success. Riley Stephens
SAC Event: Final examinations for the regular 16-week fall session. Continues through Dec. 15.
Above: Liberal arts freshman Angela Winston and Victoria Estrada, who attend Travis Early College High School, win a shirt during National Distance Learning Week in the mall. The information booth was set up to give information to students about the online classes that this college provides. For more coverage, go online to theranger. org Monica Correa Left: Architecture freshman Jean Pierre jumps in and out of a 200pound tire before executing 10 tire lifts Wednesday in the mall. Pierre attended different stations as part of a promotion for activities the kinesiology department offers in Candler. Vincent Reyna
News
Nov. 19, 2012
The Ranger • 3
www.theranger.org
Student leaders, staff mum on departure Former student life director is considering legal representation. By FAITH DUARTE
fduarte3@student.alamo.edu
Leaders of campus organizations and coworkers who have worked closely with former student life Director Jorge Posadas did not have much to say about his departure Nov. 9. As director of student life for more than six years, Posadas worked with student leaders through Presidents Round Table, Student Activity Fee Committee, Student Government Association and campuswide activities such as Antojitos Festival, Octoberfest, Rodeo Roundup and FunFest. While Posadas was director, the office of student life established a formal dinner and awards ceremony each spring to honor the most outstanding members of student organizations. All of these events were produced with the help of the staff of the office of student life. Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academic and student success, confirmed Nov. 12 that as of Nov. 9, Posadas was no longer an employee of the college, but declined to specify details because “it’s a personnel matter.” Although Posadas declined to comment after The Ranger contacted him at his home Wednesday, he said he was “looking at a few options” for legal representation. Emily Kahanek, assistant coordinator of special projects, was named interim director of student life Wednesday, Vela said.
Multiple phone calls to student life secretary Mary Schlabig; student activities specialist Carrie Hernandez; and Jacob Martinez, assistant coordinator of leadership and activities, were not returned. Mark Bigelow, assistant coordinator of leadership and activities, declined to comment and directed questions about Posadas to Vela. “Because it’s very sensitive, I asked them just to refer them (questions pertaining to Posadas) to me,” Vela said. Psychology sophomore Jacob Wong, Student Government Association president, declined to comment Nov. 12 when asked about Posadas. Wong had worked with Posadas since 2010, while Posadas was still nonvoting chair of the Student Activity Fee Committee. Posadas resigned over the summer and was replaced by Emma Mendiola, dean of student affairs. Wong also led campus tours under the direction of the office of student life. SGA Secretary Justin Wideman, biology sophomore and activity fee committee member, also declined to comment Nov. 12. The president of Gay Ally Lesbian Association, which has sponsored campuswide events such as Coming Out Week, expressed sadness at Posadas’ departure. “It is always sad to see someone leave,” GALA President Rene Orozco, advertising and public relations sophomore, said. “Some things can’t be helped.” Orozco said students should be a top priority for the next director of student life. Charlie Castleman, program director for college radio station KSYM 90.1 FM, said, “I didn’t
know the man personally, but from what I had seen, he seemed to be a very malicious and vindictive person who had an agenda of his own, and I didn’t think that was in line with what the students wanted. “I think that we need more equal representation of the student population on committees like the Student Activity Fee (Committee),” Castleman said. “It seems to be that a few students have all of the power when it comes to deciding what the students’ money is being spent on, and (this situation) is not representative of the actual population of the students.” Mendiola said Wednesday about hiring a director of student life that, like any college employee, the person in that position should be “student-friendly” and “responsible.” “Any of our roles here, I think, are extremely important in terms of the growth that we would like to see in our students,” Mendiola said. “A lot of times, that means being able to be a lot like good parents without diminishing the adult status of our students. “No matter what role we’re in, in an educational institution, we all teach to a certain extent, and so being able to do that in a positive way, I think, is important.” Posadas created controversy during his six years as student life director. He presided over closed meetings of the Student Activity Fee Committee, which handles an estimated $400,000 budget that is generated through the collection of $1 per credit hour per student. College President Robert Zeigler ordered the meetings to be open Nov. 16, 2011.
Jorge Posadas at a men’s basketball game Feb. 11, 2009 File In February, the committee met without a quorum and approved $5,721.97 for four organizations. A meeting was canceled in May because of a lack of a quorum. In April, the committee proposed a student activity fee budget of $800,000, which included a line item of $70,000 for a second student newspaper. The budget would have required doubling the activity fee and approval from the district board of trustees. Posadas received local and national coverage after telling a Ranger editor in an email Oct. 17, 2011, that he would “negotiate an appropriate fee” for interviews. After Posadas demanded a fee for Ranger interviews, Vela accompanied Posadas in an interview with The Ranger in February “to ensure a good interview process,” Vela said Feb. 9. For more information, call Vela at 210-4860931. Rebecca Salinas and Alma Linda Manzanares contributed to the story.
Assistant coordinator named interim student life director
SGA reveals feedback
Student life events will continue as planned.
Student Government Association asks for a budget increase to add two officer positions.
By FAITH DUARTE
By CARLOS FERRAND
hired in March 2011 as service learning coordinator for Emily Kahanek, assistant the office of civic engagement, coordinator of special projwhich operates under the ects, has been appointed office of student life. interim director of student life She said she will continue while the college begins the to work as a coordinator while process of filling the serving as interim position, Dr. Robert director of student Vela, vice president life. of academic and One event student success, Kahanek organizes said Wednesday. includes the OxFam Vela said the hunger banquet, director of student which takes place life position would once a semester. be posted interStudents draw cards nally before look- Emily Kahanek representing differing for potential ent income classes employees outside of the coland are provided with meals lege. depending on the cards they The college’s executive draw. team would need to approve There will be no interrupthe position before giving it to tion of student life events, human resources before postKahanek said. She said stuing it, he said. dent life will “continue to pro“Every position must be vide excellent programming vetted through our college for our students and making executive team before we can sure that we have a continusubmit it for posting,” he said. ous stream of great events.” The executive team will Kananek came to the colmore than likely begin the prolege in February 2009 for the cess the week of Nov. 25 and college Alumni Association “will probably take a few weeks coordinator after having after that to get it posted.” been a senior public relaThe position of student life tions coordinator for H-E-B director is vacant because the Grocery Co. She resigned in employment of Jorge Posadas, September 2009 to pursue a the director since 2006, ended master’s degree in education Nov 9. College officials will not at the University of Texas at comment on the reasons for San Antonio. Posadas’ departure. For more information, call Kahanek said Thursday the office of student life at in an interview that she was 210-486-0125. fduarte3@student.alamo.edu
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
According to a survey taken by the Student Government Association, the top two things students like most about this college are the professors and the activities provided for students. The top two things students like most about this district are financial aid and security. Four areas students have the biggest issues with are financial aid, parking, construction, and counseling. SGA presented the information to President Robert Zeigler during the monthly Pepsi with the President Nov. 8. The group collected 186 surveys during their Sweet Treats event Oct. 31 in the mall. Students who filled out the four questions on the survey were rewarded with candy. Secretary Justin Wideman explained that the issues for both district and this college mirrored each other because students are blaming both equally. Another popular issue students had was “administration,” but the responses gave no specifics to who or what part of the administration. It was clear that students liked receiving financial aid. “They (students) like that they get money to help pay for
Justin Wideman, biology sophomore and Student Government Association secretary, says survey results from Sweet Treats reveal students are happy with the number of campus police but are unhappy with administration during Pepsi with the President Nov. 8. Riley Stephens college,” Wideman said. Wideman said he was compiling all the surveys and that the results would be presented at the Student Government meeting Nov. 12. They were not presented at the meeting, and afterward, Wideman said they were still being compiled. In other news, Vice President Mike Martinez, told Zeigler that SGA would be adding two new officers. A historian is needed to document activities and events for future SGA members to see what the organization has done, Martinez said. A parliamentarian will be active during SGA meetings by maintaining order and ensuring that all student government rules are being followed. This position will keep the meetings moving forward and productive, Martinez said.
Zeigler agreed. “I think you need somebody to help run and manage the meetings. I think that is a significant step … too many meetings are not well-managed and they just ramble on,” Zeigler said. With the new positions, SGA will be able to “effect more students and really give them a more rounder voice,” commissioner Maura Callahan said. With the addition of two new officers, SGA is requesting an additional $2,000 a semester to their budget starting in the spring semester. “It depends on where it would be and if we have it,” Zeigler responded. “It may have to wait until the next academic year.” SGA will amend their constitution to reflect the new positions regardless of a bud-
get increase for next semester. “We need them for state (conference),” President Jacob Wong said. Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academic and student success, asked SGA to reach out to students at the Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels. A majority of the students at the center are SAC students and are interested in being a part of SGA and leadership roles, Vela said. “They want to engage with us,” Vela said. Zeigler added that SGA should also reach out to students at Travis Early College High School taking dual credit courses at this college about getting involved with SGA. “Those are our students as well … it would be good for them and good for us,” Zeigler said.
News
4 • The Ranger
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org DISABLED, from Page 1
2004
1999 arrest COMMITTEE, from Page 1 Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academic and student success, said in an interview Thursday afternoon, “We don’t require criminal background checks for students to attend our college. We don’t limit anybody’s participation in the college because of it. A lot of our students do have criminal backgrounds. “We realize students may have made mistakes in the past, but it should not keep them from being active members of a college. If a student has a concern, they can always file a complaint with my office, and we will investigate it thoroughly,” he said. While Vela said he could not comment specifically on a member of the committee, he said the five students and two alternates do not have access to the $400,000 of student funds that they allocate. The student activity fee is highly regulated, with checks and balances where no single person has the ability to take funds, he said. “There is a lot of protocol that goes into making sure the money goes where the committee wants it to go. Ms. Mendiola, as chair, her office makes sure that the money is routed to the right and appropriate departments,” he said, referring to Emma Mendiola, dean of student affairs and the nonvoting chair of the committee. Jacob Wong, psychology sophomore and Student Government Association president, who appointed Schnoor as a student representative for the committee, said Wednesday, he looks at applicants’ accomplishments but does not fact-check them. He said he has the authority to remove members of the committee who intentionally provide false information. “I can address the situation, and I can remove them if it is something I find out later,” he said. After learning of the criminal past of a person using versions of Schnoor’s name, Wong said he would want to look at the time frame in
2012 arrest
which the incidents happened. Wong said Schnoor is taking the committee work seriously. “He does research, he has a binder, he collects all the information, and he’s been very balanced and fair.” He said he would talk to Schnoor and Mendiola. “It’s a concern when you’re dealing with money, especially money of the students. … There can’t be any sense of impropriety or mismanagement of funds because we are governed by state law,” Wong said. Mendiola was unavailable for an interview by deadline. Schnoor said Tuesday he was involved in a lawsuit with a man from Temple involving Texas Airsoft Safety Organization. Airsoft is a hobby similar to paintball. He attributed the confusion over his name to the other party in the lawsuit. That information could not be confirmed. In a video posted on YouTube Sept. 18, 2010, after an airsoft game, a person identified as Gray Wolf, who looks like Schnoor, details an elaborate military background. In the video, Gray Wolf says he served 26 years in the military and says he served in the Marines and Army. He spent 4 ½ years being a Marine because he “didn’t want to wait for someone to die or pass away to get promoted.” Therefore, he went into the Army and served as a Ranger. Gray Wolf also said he was an instructor for scuba diving at the John F. Kennedy School. He then said he was a U.N. peacekeeper and has been to Albania, Serbia and Bosnia. Gray Wolf said in the video that he went into the military when he was 16½ years old by signing a waiver. He said that he was an orphan and got emancipated at 15. Schnoor told the Student Activity Fee Committee Oct. 12 that he served in the military 16 years.
of each student attending Alamo Colleges. “We have to educate them about life,” she said. “I’m sorry it came across as unsympathetic. That’s not how I feel.” The director of DSS, Maria Gomez, said the office combined with VA because they serve a shared population. She said laws for veteran benefits made the DSS and VA programs compatible. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program authorized by Congress in Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 31, is an example of these laws. Also, disabled veterans are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act just as civilian students with disabilities are covered. Gomez said the VA office serves about 2,000 students, and the DSS office serves about 2,000 students in an academic year. Many of these students are a shared population between the two offices because so many veterans are disabled, Mendiola and Gomez said in separate interviews. She said the shared student population was the major reason for the move. “There was a time when there was no construction,” Mendiola said. “Suddenly there was money available and we had to act fast.” Both Mendiola and Gomez said, the idea to combine VA and DSS was first mentioned 20 years ago. Mendiola said the opportunity appeared unexpectedly. When asked about design of the new offices for DSS, Mendiola said she and Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academic and student success, were required by the district administration to perform a very quick turnaround. David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said Thursday that facilities funds were identified for moving counseling, veterans affairs and DSS during the summer. The time allotted for use of the funds did not allow for a more thorough vetting of design plans for the project, Mendiola said. Mendiola described a female student who came to this college needing an adult changing table, and the presence of her male attendant excluded women’s restrooms as an option. Mendiola said, “We went above ADA regulations.” She said restrooms in the DSS offices
Music sophomore Jesus Interiano walks education sophomore Melody Magallanez to class Monday northwest of Chance. Sergio Ramirez in Moody can accommodate a student with special hygiene needs requiring an attendant. Old DSS space in Chance will be renovated to provide more classrooms. The new DSS space moved to combine all campus counseling components on the same floor — mainstream, VA and DSS “We thought we were making a nice situation,” she said. “Not everybody agreed with that.” Limited cell phone service has been a challenge for some students as reported by Magallanez, Arambula, De Luna and Gomez in separate interviews. De Luna is working with Sprint to work on a possible deal for a signal booster for Moody’s first floor. A canopy promised by this college to DSS to shelter the ramp from parking Lot 16 to the east entrance to Moody has not materialized. Mendiola said the need to bring materials into Moody for construction on upper floors was delaying the canopy construction. She said some things cannot be controlled. “All students have the right to voice their opinion,” Gomez said. She agreed some students vocalize their frustrations. Mendiola agreed with Gomez regarding students’ rights to speak their mind and said she hopes students will come and speak with her after they have spoken with the director of DSS.
Adjunct Council needs more members to stage conference
Wheelchairs and storms don’t mix
By REBECCA SALINAS
By PAULA CHRISTINE SCHULER
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Adjunct Faculty Council needs to focus on getting more members, Chair Jerry Townsend said Tuesday in the monthly meeting. Townsend, journalism fulltime adjunct, said he wants to meet once more this semester to recruit members so they can move forward with an adjunct leadership conference. “We need to take care of our own structure first,” Townsend said. “If we’re going to do something ambitious as a districtwide leadership meeting of adjunct faculty ... we need to have a good, strong committee of several people to work on that.” Townsend said he does not want to commit to details of the conference when the council does not have many members to work on it. “If we have to do it next year, then we have to do it next year,” he said. Townsend said more people from other colleges would come if there is at least one
adjunct from each college working on the event. English Adjunct Amanda Martin said she wants adjuncts to email her ideas for a survey on activities for the conference. She said she wants ideas for activities, location and time to be submitted by mid-to-late January to have the conference around March. The conference survey says topics of discussion include the value of an adjunct council, professional development and salary. Also on the survey is a place for adjuncts to sign up to present a seminar. Townsend said the conference will be to encourage adjunct council development at other colleges. He said his previous idea of having an adjunct summit “got people riled up.” He said the conference will be a more graceful way of handling business. Possible locations include this college, the Region 20 Education Service Center, 1314 Hines Ave. or Northeast Lakeview College.
In other news, the deadline for application for the El Éxito award is Nov. 30. The award from the Bob and Mary Zeigler Adjunct faculty Professional Development Fund is for adjunct faculty who have taught a minimum of two courses at this college during the semester nominated. Any faculty member can nominate an adjunct, and adjuncts can nominate themselves. Applications can be turned in to Cynthia Price, program coordinator for the Murguia Learning Institute and Bob and Mary Zeigler Fund chair, with a letter of reference for the adjunct’s chair or program coordinator, a peer and a student. Applicants also need a statement of accomplishments and reasons they are being nominated and a summary of teaching responsibilities from the last four years. For more information, call Price at 210-486-0756. For more information on applying, call Townsend at 210-486-1780.
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
On Oct. 26, a heavy thunderstorm sent students trotting, hopping and ducking between buildings. The library was full of warm bodies seeking shelter, but just outside at the drop-off point nearest disability support services about 3 inches of deep water and pouring rain proved too much to manage with a wheelchair. DSS assistant Lolly Espinoza said a student she did not wish to identify called the office to report her challenge during the worst part of the storm. Fifteen minutes after the call, VIAtrans driver Jerry Crandall got soaked through shoes and shirt while assisting liberal arts sophomore Charlie Shivley, who uses a wheelchair, with boarding. The VIAtrans is a public transportation service that can be used by anyone with disabilities seeking access to events or classes on campus. About 15 students registered with the office of disability services use VIAtrans regularly. The VIAtrans drop-off point nearest the new DSS quarters on the first floor of Moody Learning Center is at the main second floor entrance on the east side of the building in parking Lot 16. Shivley is usually accompanied by his wife, Sherrie Shivley, and they both said they have consistent problems with the new location.
At least four to five times weekly, she said they arrive to find the drop-off point blocked by cones, construction materials or drivers. She said she asks people to move their vehicles, but they do not always make room. Charlie Shivley said, “They (faculty) get mad because we are not in class or late.” He said consistent delays accessing the drop-off point in good weather frustrate him so much he now chooses to arrive at 6:30 a.m. and wait for buildings to open. Shivley said he prefers the old DSS location on the first floor of Chance Academic Center because it had a broad doorway, open view and short, level distance between the doorway and VIAtrans drop-off point in Lot 19. Limited shelter is available for those who must wait in wheelchairs at Moody. To access the VIA trans, students must pass through concrete pilings, yet another hurdle for wheelchairs. Other students have difficulty maneuvering stairways to the drop-off that have been overgrown with ivy and often littered. TV broadcasting sophomore Anthony Cavallini said he does not use VIAtrans for access to campus because he has other transportation resources. Access to the VIAtrans drop-off point near the new DSS office doesn’t affect him, and he doesn’t mind the relocation. “Things are bigger now, more space I noticed,” he said. “I mean we’ve got to have change at one point.”
News
Nov. 19, 2012
The Ranger • 5
www.theranger.org
No priority for students here at Tobin Lofts About 70 applications have been submitted. By ALMA LINDA MANZANARES amanzanares6@student.alamo.edu
Students from this college who apply to live in Tobin Lofts upon completion in fall 2013 will have the same priority as other local college students, general manager Renee Cavazos said Wednesday. Tobin Lofts, a four-story complex being built through a public-private partnership at North Main Avenue and East Laurel Street, will include a 225-unit residential space, a 961-space parking garage and 12,000 square feet of commercial space, with Luther’s Café as anchor tenant. The project includes construction on the north and south sides of West Evergreen. The lofts are scheduled for completion in August.
Students from other colleges and universities, such as the University of Texas at San Antonio, University of the Incarnate Word and Trinity University can rent apartments in Tobin Lofts. “If a person from Incarnate Word comes and leases before a SAC person, then it’s going to come to the person who came first,” Cavazos said. “SAC has no upper hand in leasing.” She said about 70 applications have been submitted for Tobin Lofts since the leasing office began accepting applications Nov.1. The lofts will provide 552 beds for students in furnished apartments with all bills paid. There will also be 65 beds available for families and employees in a building connected to a parking garage that will be
constructed in Lot 26 at Evergreen Street and Main. Prices range from $875-1,050 for a one bedroom, one bath apartment; $675-775 per person for two bedrooms, two baths; $525 per person for four bedrooms, two baths; and $575 per person for four bedrooms, four baths. Some units in the student area have up to four beds, so if students do not have roommates, the leasing office will match roommates based on a questionnaire. Applications are available in the leasing office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Room D402 of Building 19 of the continuing education annex, 309 W. Dewey Place, or online at www.livetobinlofts.com. A model of a full-size bed, sofa, dresser, desk and office chair is expected to be available in the leasing office. For more information, call 210-486-1817.
Floor plan for a one-bedroom in Tobin Lofts Courtesy
District wants public-private partnership for Playland A central administration building for 450 employees may be built. By ALMA LINDA MANZANARES amanzanares6@student.alamo.edu
The district is looking into another publicprivate partnership for the development of a central administrative building at Playland Park, 2222 N. Alamo St., John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, said Tuesday. Strybos said about 450 district administration and staff are housed at three locations: 811 W. Houston St., 201 W. Sheridan and 7990 Pat Booker Road. On July 17, 2008, the district gained ownership of the 12.644-acre property from the San Antonio Water System at a cost of $4.13 million. Strybos said along with the administrative building, he anticipates that there would be a parking garage. “I would expect one if we need parking for 450 employees and to develop the land the correct way,” he said. Strybos said the development partners also could determine what they want to use the prop-
erty for, such as apartments or retail. He said he expects a proposal will be made for the approval to issue a request for qualifications for the public-private partnership at the Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting Dec. 4 and the Alamo Colleges regular board meeting Dec. 18. Strybos said if the proposal is approved, the request for qualifications would be sent out in January. A public and private partnership is the involvement of a private enterprise in the form of management expertise or monetary contributions or both in government projects aimed at public benefit. Strybos said if the district moves to a central location at Playland, the three properties that currently house district administration and staff would become surplus property that could be sold or redeveloped into apartments. “What Alamo Colleges’ goal would be will depend on the partners in the public-private partnership,” he said.
At the Sept. 25, 2008, Buildings, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting, Chancellor Bruce Leslie proposed that Playland Park could function as a unified district headquarters and serve as an opportunity to partner with local business and government. Leslie also proposed that the facility could be used to train students in culinary arts and massage therapy. The estimated $116 million price tag drew objections and criticism from Faculty Senate and the Adjunct Faculty Council at this college, and the proposal was dropped from the board’s December 2008 agenda. Leslie said in an interview Thursday that in 2008 he was proposing ideas to the Alamo Colleges board of trustees based on his experience as chancellor of Houston Community College System. “I was saying to the board that we could combine several things in this location and because it’s in the city, it could give greater visibility to some of these programs,” he said. Leslie said because of such a strong opposition from the faculty, staff and students, “with-
out of thinking of the advantages,” the proposal was dropped. “We even had a student come and say something about ‘Dr. Leslie, the only reason he’s recommending this is because he wants to be able to have a massage and a taco,’” he said. “There’s a passion here around keeping things where they are and if you change something you’re diminishing the institution, and that’s not true at all. The fundamental issue has got to be what can we do to make the students’ the most full and richest experience that they can possible have,” Leslie said. Currently, Playland Park provides 650 extra parking spaces to make up for a shortage caused by construction projects that have taken away about 450 parking spaces. Parking spaces are limited in Lot 16 for remodeling in Moody Learning Center and in Lot 21 as a staging area for expansion of Scobee Planetarium and the Challenger Learning Center. Lots 26, 33 and 31, near Main Avenue and West Evergreen Street, are also closed for construction of a garage and the Tobin Lofts public-private partnership.
College Council discusses spring break leave for staff By REBECCA SALINAS
rsalinas191@student.alamo.edu
Staff Council President Anelia Luna said the United Staff Council has submitted a proposal to Chancellor Bruce Leslie for staff members in this district to get the first three days of spring break off during the College Council meeting Tuesday. Luna said the Alamo Colleges are the only colleges to be open three days of the week classes do not meet for spring break. “You could be more productive in a way that a lot of people have to make special arrangements and leave part of the time anyway for their children,” Luna said. “A lot of the people gone affects the work of the ones that are still here.” According to the academic calendar, all administrative offices will be closed March 14-17. Classes are dismissed March 10-17. In a phone interview Thursday, Dr. Adriana Contreras, deputy to the chancellor, said Thursday that the topic was discussed in the presidents and vice chancellors meeting Nov. 12. She said the proposal was taken into consideration and more research is being conducted. Luna said in a phone interview Thursday that she does not know when or if Leslie or the Alamo Colleges board of trustees will make a decision. Zeigler said the staff in the Alamo Colleges
have fewer days off than the rest of peer districts by three or four days. “Taking this step and making this move will put us in line with our peer colleges,” Zeigler said. “I think it is a good proposal … It seems to be a reasonable request.” In other news, Zeigler said the college executive team is pleased with the placement of the college seal on a base west of Moody Learning Center. The seal will be in a marble base with a slanted top near the west entrance to Moody. “Of course, all we need to do is figure out how we’re going to pay for it,” Bill Richardson, kinesiology and dance chair, said. The two college seals on the college monument west of Gonzales and McCreless halls on San Pedro Avenue were removed in April after Alamo College’s logos were placed on top of them in 2010. The other seal is on the wall of the executive conference room in Fletcher Administration Center. In other news, allied health Chair Stella Lovato said the Faculty Evaluation Committee is going to delay the deadline for recommendations for new full-time faculty evaluations to Jan. 18. The evaluations are based on the new full-time faculty job descriptions that were passed at the Sept. 18 regular board meeting. The committee is working with Dr. Raoul Arreola, a consultant from the Faculty
Evaluation Resource Center, to determine new standards to evaluate full-time faculty. Lovato said chairs thought the evaluation process was “moving too quickly and some of the departments did not have time to adequately work on it.” Lovato said District Council of Chairs gave the motion to Super Senate Friday and to Dr. JoCarol Fabianke, interim vice chancellor of academic success. Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, co-chair of the Faculty Evaluation Committee, initially wanted to have the evaluations done by the end of this month. In other news, Faculty Senate President Larry Rosinbaum announced math Professor Hoan Duong is this college’s Piper Professor Nominee. Rosinbaum said paperwork still needs to be finished, but the citizens committee is almost ready to turn in all paperwork to Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Nomination forms are due Nov. 21, and the winner will be announced May 1. Susan Espinoza, director of college and grants development, said she wants people to share interesting information with her about Duong to make the presentation to the foundation more interesting. Jacob Wong, Student Government Association president, said SGA is considering
Susan Espinoza, director of college and grants development, asks for members to share information on math Professor Hoan Duong to contribute to his statewide nomination in the Piper Professor competition at College Council Tuesday in visual arts. Rebecca Salinas
Duong as an adviser. Criminal justice Professor Tiffany Cox and English Professor Sharon Argo are current SGA advisers. In other news, College Council will not meet in December because Zeigler said he did not see a need for one. For more information, call Project Coordinator Robin Collett at 210-486-1956.
News
6 • The Ranger
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org
Environment can determine success of study efforts By CARLOS FERRAND sac-ranger@alamo.edu
History Adjunct Isaac Hampton
Adjunct’s book traces African-Americans’ military history By INGRID WILGEN
icobham@student.alamo.edu
During World War II the fight for equality drove many African-Americans into military service. This historical narrative of the AfricanAmerican experience in the U.S. Armed Forces is told in a recently released book by history Adjunct Isaac Hampton. “Many thought ‘they can’t deny me equal rights if I die for them, if I serve them, if I fight for them,’” he said Tuesday in an interview. The book is the culmination of Hampton’s research for a capstone research paper when he studied for a master’s degree from Texas Southern University. The paper highlighting views of black officers and their experiences in the ROTC began a seven-year journey that ended with a book: “The Black Officer Corps: a History of Black Military Advancement from Integration through Vietnam.” The book documents AfricanAmerican military history from 1946-1973. The voices of African-American officers and soldiers who served this country line the pages with oral accounts that may have been lost had it not been for Hampton’s pen. Hampton’s research led him to the National Archives at College Park, Md. While there, he said he found a glaring hole in the literature. “When I went to the national archives to do research, one of the long-time archivists said, ‘Isaac, what you are looking for is not going to be in any archives — this is too much of an embarrassment to the institution to write it down.’” Hampton said he knew he had captured the voices of African-Americans who have served under the shadow of American apartheid. The book focuses on the African-American officers’ experience and documents how the Black Power movement influenced AfricanAmericans serving during the Vietnam era. Hampton an Urbana, Ohio, native, obtained a Ph.D in 20th century U.S. history from the University of Houston in 2008. He served in the U.S. Army from 19881991 and currently is the command historian for U.S. Army South. As command historian, Hampton writes living history. Hampton has performed more than 300 oral interviews that encompasses civil rights advocates from the 1960s, soldiers, Marines and airmen ranging from the lowest rank to generals and admirals. Hampton has been invited to speak at this college Feb. 26 during Black History Month. The book, published by Routledge, is available at Amazon.com, www.routledge.com and on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.
Study locations can play a big role in a student’s academic success. The environment a student chooses to study in must be a place where someone can focus, student development Professor Suzanna Borawski said. “To learn anything, you have to be able to focus,” Borawski said. Distractions are not limited to just loud noises. Loud colors or décor can be a distraction as well. “I do not think students realize how important it is to have that place to go to and just be with their studies and not have a multitude of different distractions,” Borawski said. Students need to realize how important it is to step away from other things going on in their lives to study, she said. Environment is important when studying, but how and when students spend time on the material is equally important. Students taking 12 hours a
semester should devote 24 hours a week to studying, Borawski said. This breaks down to slightly over three hours a day of studying. Students should try studying for an hour and a half to two hours at a time. Take a break and come back to it later, Borawski said. “A marathon study session for four hours or five hours is really not the best way process all of the information,” Borawski said. Borawski also said that reviewing material within 24 hours of a class is the best way to get the information into the long-term memory. With Moody Learning Center under construction and extremely loud at times, Borawski suggests San Pedro Springs Park. Just across San Pedro Avenue on the west side of the campus, the park has benches and picnic tables that students can use to study. “It is a place that someone can go to escape from campus
and just be out in nature, and that kind of lends itself to calming you down,” Borawski said. There are a few spots to study in peace right here on campus as well. In the patio area surrounded by Loftin Student Center, McCreless Hall and the Gonzales Hall, students can find benches and tables to study. On the second floor of the nursing complex, students will find benches, cushioned chairs and tables. The large windows in the entrance give students great natural light to go along with silence. Another warm and quiet location for studying can be found in the lobby of the auditorium in McAllister Fine Arts Center. In the lobby, student can even find a few desks to sit at. The floor is carpeted in case students want to sprawl out and read. The area is extremely quiet and much like the health complex, with large windows providing good light for reading.
Fall, Start Two , Flex 1, Flex 2
Final Exam Schedule Monday, Dec. 10 (MWF and MW) Class Time 7 a.m. — 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m. 10 a.m. — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1 p.m. — 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 3:50 p.m. — 3:50 p.m.-6:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 (TR) Class Time 8 a.m. — 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 10:50 a.m. — 10:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m. 1 p.m. — 1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m. 1:40 p.m. — 1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 (MWF and MW) Class Time 8 a.m. — 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. — 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. — 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 2:25 p.m. — 2:25 p.m.-4:55 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 (TR) Class Time 6:30 a.m. — 6:30 a.m.-9 a.m. 9:25 a.m. — 9:25 a.m.-11:55 a.m. 12:15 p.m. — 12:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. 3:05 p.m. — 3:05 p.m.-5:35 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 (MWF) Class Time 9 a.m. — 9 a.m.-11:30 Noon — noon-2:30 p.m. Note: Final exams for evening and weekend classes are given during class hours. Department chairs can schedule final exam dates that do not conform to this schedule.
Parking attendant Roy Ramirez helps to guide vehicles to the correct parking spaces Thursday, in the parking garage. Riley Stephens
Playland lot to continue offering parking relief A campus map is available at alamo.edu/sac.
trict-owned property that formerly was Playland Park at 2222 N. Alamo about 1.4 miles from this campus. Playland parking is open from 7 a.m.-6
By AMANDA RIOS
p.m., and a shuttle will run between the lot and
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Fletcher Administration Center. The shuttle will Student parking isn’t expected to get any better for the spring semester.
run every 15 minutes throughout the day. The last pickup from this campus will be at 6 p.m.
Parking spots are limited because lots are
“Instead of student roaming around in
partially closed to provide for the remodeling
the garage and parking lots, which could lead
of Moody Learning Center and as a staging area
to students being late for classes, we decid-
for expansion of Scobee Planetarium
and
con-
struction of the Challenger Learning Center. Lots 26, 33 and 31 near Main Avenue and West
For more information on purchasing parking permits and bus passes, call 210-486-0201.
Evergreen Street are also closed for construction of a parking garage and
Communication design sophomore Jordan Anascavage takes out materials for his class Thursday in Lot 9 north of visual arts. Monica Correa
ed to have more avail-
are $30, and $18 for the summer. In the fall,
able parking options,”
permits for parking lots will remain $50, but a
Vanessa C. Torres, public
permit to park in garages will be $200.
relations director, said.
To avoid parking charges and hassles, stu-
Students with a park-
dents can purchase a five-month semester
ing permit who take
bus pass for VIA Metropolitan Transit for $35.
night classes will be able
Students can buy a parking permit and semes-
to park in faculty parking lots after 5 p.m.
the Tobin Hill Lofts, a public-private partnership.
Students who bought an annual parking
For extra parking, students and faculty still
permit for $50 in the fall will not need a new
will be able to use 650 parking spots at the dis-
permit. Parking permits for the spring semester
ter bus pass in the business office in Room 201 of Fletcher Administration Center. The bus pass can be used to ride VIA buses at any time during that period.
Nov. 19, 2012
News
The Ranger • 7
www.theranger.org
san antonio’s best student living applyforonline today fall 2013 fully furnished apartments + hardwood-style floors in select apartments + full kitchens individual leases + on shuttle bus route + resort-style amenities
san antonio student housing.com
villas aT babcock The ouTposT
Prem
8 • The Ranger
www.theranger
Diamonds in the afterlife By PAULA CHRISTINE SCHULER sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The remains of a cremated adult can be turned into about six carats of diamonds. This and other trendy facts were included in a lecture Nov. 7 at the Witte Museum, just down the hall from dead people still telling their stories through multimedia and interactive technology in Mummies of The World, The Exhibit. “The dead are in,” Dr. Michael C. Kearl, a sociologist and author, said. He said that in the last 40 years of his research in death, dying, time and other issues, he has seen a shift in trends regarding beliefs about immortality created by two major changes — the mobility of the American population and technology. He said the trends are clearly visible in the arts of popular culture. Tim Burton is just one of the media personalities bringing death into entertainment with films such as “Corpse Bride,” “Edward Scissorhands,” and “Frankenweenie.” Digitizing historical music lets living musical artists join with popular dead artists on new music, such as Nat King Cole and daughter Natalie Cole in the song “Unforgettable.” Technology allows movies to combine dead with living actors, such as in “Forrest Gump,” a June 1994 movie set in the 1960s where living actor Tom Hanks playing Forrest Gump shakes the hand of President Kennedy. He also noted the prevalence of skulls on T-shirts, shoes, jewelry, posters and more.
Mummies of The World, The Exhibit at the Witte Museum Courtesy “Belief in immortality is higher now than the last 40 years,” he said. Belief changes are shifting, such as changes in funeral traditions, he said. “How you deal with the dead is at the core of moral belief systems,” he said. Egypt is famous for its mummies, but he said the motivation behind their rituals is common to many cultures and time periods throughout history. He said death was considered permanent and the vast majority of the dead were usually not remembered by name in a few generations. Even today, most people do not know about their great-grandparents. This created the desire in many cultures for tombstones and other items that would create remembrance. He said since families generally
stayed in the same area, this made sense. Today tombstones are not that successful at helping people remember. Families are on the move, away from family gravesites. He said the message has changed. Instead of simply wanting to be remembered, he said the dead and the living are hoping to continue to interact somehow, some way. Without a grave to visit, Americans are trying new things empowered by technology. Now, services are offering the dying choices to arrange for videos and birthday cards or other kinds of messages to be sent in the future to their families and career audiences. He said the living and survivors are creating new ways to feel connected
with the dead. The dead actually have their own manager in Hollywood, Curtis Management Group. “The dead can continue to work, as long as earnings continue,” he said. Examples he named included Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein. This desire for connection is the motivation behind new trends including turning cremains (cremation remains) into diamonds, sending cards and videos or calling someone after death. Tombstones are able to post the deceased Facebook page, he said. Curtis Management Group and families can authorize the use of voice-cloning technology so voices of the dead can still read scripts for new movies and commercials. Some plan to continue their legacy in other ways. In life, James Doohan played Scottie in “Star Trek” television and movies. Kearl said Doohan chose to be launched into space. Kearl said Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto and is on a space vessel headed there now. The inventor of the Frisbee had his ashes added into the creation of several Frisbees after death, and Pringles snack inventor Fred Baur wanted his ashes resting inside a Pringles can. Maybe a diamond is not so unusual. Kearl said 35 percent of funerals in the United States were cremation in 2010, and states such as Washington and Hawaii have a 70 percent crema-
tion rate. Websites for LifeGe DNA2Diamonds and Cremati Solutions suggest a diamond would a kind of portable tombstone able to taken with survivors wherever they go They offer dozens of choices memorial jewelry for diamonds a ashes, urns and FAQ pages for questio about the process and other aspects cremation. Questions, answers and commen after the lecture were diverse. The first audience member said s had donated her body to science a would never allow her family to have Another talked about touring t huge cemeteries on the East Side of S Antonio. “In the Texas Hill Country, there i Republican only cemetery,” Kearl said The audience responded with laug ter as they did several times througho the presentation. Kearl ended by saying, “It is democratization of the afterlife that happening now.”
The exhibit at the Witte Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Call 210-357-1900.
Groups work to fill up food pantries Students are encouraged to donate food for two organizations. By AMANDA RIOS
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The mortuary science department and the Catholic Student Association will sponsor food drives throughout November. The mortuary science department raised more than 800 pounds last year. The department has conducted a food drive for more than eight years and collected more than 8,000 pounds of food. Professor Francisco E. Solis is in charge of collecting nonperishable foods. “We used to have boxes out in each department before, but we just don’t have the resources to put boxes out in each department anymore,” Solis said. Solis encourages other students and departments to donate. “We used to donate to St. Vincent De Paul Society, but now we donate all the food to the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry,” Solis said. If students or departments wish to donate, there will be a box in the department office in Room 238A in Nail Technical Center until Nov. 30. The Catholic Student Association’s drive through November is the third drive the group has participated in this semester. “For the month of November, we will distribute evenly who we donate to, which is the San Antonio Food Bank, SAC (Phi Theta Kappa) food pantry, and the family that we adopted,” campus minister Joseph Liedecke said Wednesday.
Less than one box of food was collected for Student Government Association and Catholic Student Center food drive Tuesday in the mall. Nothing was collected Mond Maura Callahan, SGA commissioner and communications sophomore; Mike Martinez, SGA vice president and anthropology sophomore; and criminal justice freshman Meg Halbardier pose for a photo taken by Catholic Campus Minister Joseph Liedecke. Monica Correa The association has been doing this for more than 11 years, he said. The November drive will be through with boxes distributed throughout the campus and at the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. Boxes will be collected at the end of the month. The association helped Student Government Association and the office of civic engagement with a food drive Nov. 12 and 13 in the mall.
The association also had a food drive last month, “Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat,” that brought in six large boxes of nonperishable food. For more information from the mortuary science department, call 210-486-1135. For more information on the Catholic Student Association, call Liedecke at 210-736-9306 or visit https://orgsync.com/30743/chapter or www.archsa.org. For food pantry information, call 210-486-0431.
Nonperishable food items can be donated in Room 238A of Nail or in collection boxes throughout campus through November.
miere
Nov. 19, 2012 • 9
r.org/ premiere
em, ion be o be o. for and ons s of
nts
she and e it. the San
is a d. ghout
s a t is
, s,
s
day. gan
t r.
Design students show their work Exhibit displays 70 projects from multiple communication design classes. By LUCIA ESPINO
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This year’s communication design exhibition will be on display through March 8 on the second floor of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building. Richard Arredondo, communication design program coordinator, said the purpose of the exhibition is to display the work of students in the program. The exhibition, which opened with a reception Thursday, is composed of hand-executed illustrations and computer-generated digital prints, Arredondo said. Because the projects came from multiple communication design classes, there were no specific guidelines. Full-time and part-time faculty from the program selected the 70 projects for the exhibition from more than 100 projects submitted. The projects on display were created by students in the communication design program during the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters, Arredondo said. The program, one of five in the media communications department, provides animation, web and illustration courses, Arredondo said. The two-year program leads to an associate of applied science degree, and students can also earn a Level 1 certificate that provides basic training and skills through specific courses that may lead to entry-level employment.
Communication design Professors Brook Rosser, Qing Liu and Joel Knocke set up the program’s student exhibit Nov. 9 in Longwith. Monica Correa The program also offers an advanced skills certificate. Graduates may find careers in publishing, art direction, graphic design, illustration, animation, web design, multimedia
development, special effects, storyboarding, and advertising. For information, call 210-486-1031.
Students show ingenuity in saving time, money By NICOLE A. WEST sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Just like the White Rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” time is essential for college students. When starting college, many students need time they do not have because their social lives override their study time. For students to balance school, work and a social life, they do odd things to save time and money, such as pulling all-nighters, focusing less on appearance and finding ways to save money on gas. For sports management sophomore Nicholas Stevenson, pulling allnighters usually results in a B grade or higher on tests. On the other hand, many college students have their own way to conquer all-nighters. Education sophomore Afton Barber sticks to a routine that works for her by alternating sleeping with studying. She alternates writing for 30 minutes and sleeping for 30 minutes throughout the night, she said. She said she does that so she will not be so tired in the morning. Appearance also takes time in the morning before going to school. The decision is whether to wake up early and pick out an outfit or just throw something on. Anthropology sophomore Krystal Solano said, “To save time, I tend to brush my hair back in a ponytail and throw on the first T-shirt or tank top I see.” Sydney Peterson, American Sign Language interpreting sophomore, said she also saves time in the morning by coming to school comfortably. “I never really dress up for school,” she said. “I’m always in running shorts and tennis shoes for the most part.” Communication design sophomore Mandy Derfler, production
manager for The Ranger, wears mismatched ankle socks she grabs from a drawer each morning. “I am too lazy to fold them,” she said. She said once she drew out two that matched and found that so odd, she almost put one back. Since this college doesn’t offer student housing yet, most students have to commute to campus whether it’s by bus, bike or motor vehicle. Student housing will be available in the fall. The Tobin Lofts, located at the North Main Avenue and East Laurel Street, will be open to students from any college. Some students find odd ways to save money when it involves transportation. Physical therapy sophomore Jonathan Fowler said, “I steal the lawn mower gas out of the shed when I’m running low in my truck. I don’t think my dad has picked up on that yet.” Food is fundamental for everyone, even college students. When money is tight, many students can still find free food around campus, David Rodriguez, director of counseling, said. Various events on campus provide food and refreshments such as punch and cookies that students can take advantage of, Rodriguez said. Students can also receive free food from the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry. The pantry is open to students and employees at this college. The pantry is open noon-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. One of the things the college
encourages is sharing resources such as textbooks, Rodriguez said. Students save money when they share or sell their books to their friends or other students instead of paying full price at the bookstore, Rodriguez said.
Editorial
10 • The Ranger
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org/opinion
Editor Alma Linda Manzanares Managing Editor Rebecca Salinas Calendar Editor Jennifer Coronado Photo Editor Riley Stephens Photographers Monica Correa, Vincent Reyna Photo Team Gloria Fernandez De Clements Sergio Ramirez, Carolina Vela Multimedia Editor Ingrid Wilgen Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Production Manager Mandy Derfler Production Assistant Jason Hogan Staff Writers Cristina Carreon, Angelo Thomas Dixon, Chelsea Driskell Lucia Espino, David Espinoza, Carlos Ferrand Edgar Garcia, Kirk Hanes, Jennifer Luna, Beau McCarter, Patricia McGlamory Adam Meza, Ivie Okungbowa, Osita Omesiete Diana Palomo, Felipe Perez Jr. Janeka Porter, Christina Quintanilla, Amanda Rios Paula Christine Schuler, Nicole A. West Web Editor Faith Duarte Circulation Dawn Mayen ©2012 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.
Guest Viewpoints:
Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.
Letters Policy:
The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.
Single Copy Policy:
Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single- copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Juan Carlos Campos
Kudos for honors Congratulations to the students at this college who received honors in the 2011-12 academic year. In fall 2011, spring 2012 and summer 2012, 5,997 students received honors, and 267 of them participated in the annual honors ceremony Tuesday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. Those students have excelled in their studies and put hard work and dedication into their academics to receive such a high level of distinction. Students received honors in four categories. President’s Honors are for students with 12 or more semester hours in a semester and a gradepoint average of 4.0 and cumulative GPA of 2.0. Honors are for students with 12 or more semester hours with a GPA of 3.5-3.99 in with a
cumulative GPA of 2.0. President’s Part-time Honors are for students with 6-11 semester hours and a GPA of 4.0 and cumulative GPA of 2.0. Part-time Honors are for students with 6-11 semester hours and a GPA of 3.5-3.99 in the current semester with a cumulative GPA of 2.0. These students excelled despite the challenges most students face — too little money, too little time and too many distractions. They did their best on assignments, turned them in on time and made their academic responsibilities a priority in their lives. They serve as an example for others. Stay focused and finish this semester with good grades so you can be eligible for next year’s honors ceremony.
Recognize adjuncts Adjuncts sometimes receive the short end of the stick. When the district passed out raises to faculty for 2012-13, officials didn’t include adjuncts. Then this year, administrators considered limiting adjuncts to teaching loads of 7.4 units or less to avoid the expense of contributing to adjuncts’ retirement. But now the Bob and Mary Zeigler Adjunct Faculty Professional Development Fund provides recognition for the hard work adjuncts exhibit. Part of the fund is the Èxito award, which gives $250 to one adjunct each semester who exhibits exemplary work. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30.
Another part of the fund supports professional development for adjuncts and continuing education faculty at this college. The fund allocates a total of $2,000 this year for professional development, and each award can be up to $250. Professional development activities include workshops, conferences or seminars. These awards are the few recognitions adjuncts qualify for. Adjuncts are essential to this college. This college has 332 full-time faculty members and 468 adjunct faculty members teaching this semester. Adjuncts deserve every bit of financial encouragement they can get.
Raise expectations Beginning in spring, incoming students will have to complete mandatory online modules before admission as part of MyMap, or My Monitoring Academic Progress, a student success initiative. Modules include “Paying for College,” “I-CARE,” “Assessment Information” and “Test Preparation.” Upon completion of the four modules, students will be required to take a quiz and are expected to score a minimum of 60 to pass each module.
A score of a 60 is the equivalent of a letter grade of a D minus, a grade most universities will not accept when students transfer. To promote student success, the bar needs to be raised to a higher standard. The modules teach basic skills that all first-time-in-college students need to know, so it’s important to make the experience accessible for students. If students are expected to earn a 2.0 minimum GPA to transfer, the expectations should be the same for MyMap.
News
Nov. 19, 2012
The Ranger • 11
www.theranger.org
No need for paper to be an American I was born in Mexico City 23 years ago, but in the summer of 2001, I became a MexicanAmerican. From the Viewpoint moment my famby LUCIA ily and I stepped ESPINO in this country, I loved and sac-ranger@ alamo.edu embraced everything about it. It became my home. The attacks of 9/11 hurt my heart as it did any other American. As a minority, I felt the aftermath of how immigrants, from all backgrounds, were viewed. It was not until I started high school that I learned the reality and the obstacles of my legal status. I joined the JROTC program at Fox Tech High School, and, as my rank got higher, more and more Army
recruiters contacted me. and me to the U.S. in the first place. I was more than willing to enlist It was at this college where I but they always required a “paper” learned about the DREAM Act saying I was an American. Why wasn’t through the Students United for the my patriotism DREAM Act. and love for this I didn’t want “I will never forget country enough? to be a SUDA where I come from, The year 2007 member at first and a paper will was bittersweet. I because I was never make me more worked hard and afraid to let everyAmerican than what I graduated with one know my already am.” honors and in the legal status, so I Top 10 percent supported the of my class, but organization with again my legal status kept me from donations and signatures. scholarships and opportunities. As the DREAM Act movement was At a time when the anti-immi- growing, the negativity toward immigration subject was more aggressive, grants began to disappoint me. I felt even frightening enough to consider as if we were going back in time to the going back to Mexico, San Antonio civil rights movement. College opened the door. After the DREAM Act’s failure, I This college is giving me the realized the need to show others how opportunity for the quality higher many of us DREAMers are here, and education that brought my family who we really are.
Letters End financial aid delays
I “came out” and became undocumented and unafraid. The pursuit of happiness is not illegal, and this is exactly what I am doing. I am undocumented because I don’t have a paper saying I was born or naturalized in the U.S., but in my heart, I have adopted this country as my home. I don’t understand why some people don’t accept that the U.S. is the most immigrated country, and unless they are a true-blooded Native American, they probably have immigrant blood within them. This recent election revealed more than the name of our next president; it unveiled the importance of minorities, especially Latinos/Hispanics. Latinos/Hispanics “came out” to show that we are more than what others imagine, and they represented all of us who did not have the privi-
lege to vote. I qualify for the Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, which will grant me a work permit. I can look for a job that will at least pay minimum wage, and yes, some undocumented immigrants are still getting paid less than minimum wage. With a decent paying job I can help my parents with my college tuition or any other expenses. The DACA policy does not give me a documented status, benefits or permission to go out of the country, as many might think. For now, I know that I can continue my education, but I don’t know what is going to happen after graduation or in the years to come. I will never forget where I come from, and a paper will never make me more American than what I already am.
Letter to my nephew about life, love, laughs
This is a letter to the president, chancellor and board of trustees of the Alamo Colleges to hear and act upon the pleadings of those students at SAC who undergo the long process of verification to receive their financial aid funds. This is a letter in regard to the lack of duty from the financial aid staff and department members. We believe that the amount of time that is given to students on how long the verification process will take is an extreme and ridiculously long wait. In my case, it has been a penalizing crucial wait of more than 15 weeks (reaching the total amount of a whole semester). We are exhausted of waiting for the financial aid department to accomplish their job and desperate to receive attention from those in a higher position who are able to fix our problem. I have sent various letters to the president and director of the financial aid office at SAC, but nothing has been done up to now. It’s time for everyone to know how poor is the attention being given to those students in our situation, in my situation. Will the college pay for my personal items that I have had to pawn in order to go through this long wait without my financial assistance? Will the college pay for the debts I have gotten into for borrowing money to pay for my expenses? Or will you finally do something about it, Mr. President? Irma Ledezma Science Freshman
Dear Mark, If you are reading this letter, it is because your father thinks you might just understand what your crazy uncle is trying to say. As I write this letter, you have yet to reach your second birthday. By the time you read this letter, my youth will have Viewpoint long since passed and yours will be gaining steam. by CARLOS To the young man I love with all my heart, I want to FERRAND share some of my 32 years of wisdom with you. As you get bigger, you will begin to understand sac-ranger@ alamo.edu the power of physical strength. Later you will begin to understand your strength within. Your father was always a physically strong fellow, but it was his inner strength that I will always remember. If he has not yet told you his story, then he will someday — a story of true strength and the price that comes with it. My big brother, your father, lost his big brother when he was a young man. When Marco passed at age 13, your dad was only 11, but he felt he needed to grow up overnight. He protected me from the harsh reality of life. He protected me from losing my childhood. He gave up his childish ways so that I could keep mine. I woke up and he was my only brother. It was difficult to comprehend at age 9, but your father made sure that I remained a child full of wonder. Even at a young age, when the world had been unfair to him, he remained kind and full of heart. You must always remember that true strength is not found in force, but rather in compassion. Be kind, Mark, even when the world is not. The world is a big and scary place, but just do not let it scare you, little buddy. Fear is a good thing, but you must be able to separate fear of fear and fear of doing what is right. I remember being young and believing that the most important thing was fitting in. I would have done almost anything to be cool. I can remember a time in high school when I joined in with a group who were laughing at someone for being different. At that moment, I felt like I was one of the popular kids. I saw that student later that day in the hall. I was hoping he would not recognize me, but he did. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and the truth was that I was not any different than he was. There will be many times in your youth when the right thing to do
The nature of love can leave you feeling sick at times. If you find yourself heartbroken just remember that the same love that broke it is the same love that will mend it. When your heart is broken, remember to be a man and cry. Do not let the ways of the world dictate your love. This world is a pretty amazing place, so try not to focus on the shadows it casts. Laugh as much as possible. Find joy in the hardest times because, believe it or not, you will be laughing about it later. Do not take yourself or this world too seriously. One of the greatest traits that any person can have is the ability to laugh at themselves. One time your grandmother and I tried to drive the family van into a low-clearance parking garage. We made it through the entrance, and that was as far as we got because our van was taller than the height of the ceiling. We had cars behind us honking, and people in the parking garage laughing at us. When we finally got the van unstuck, we saw the mangled luggage rack on the top. We looked at each other and just started laughing. We looked like fools, but nobody got hurt, and the world kept on turning. When you tumble down, get up and laugh — after all it is kind of funny. Do not be mad when the world laughs at you because you will have your chance to laugh at the world. Always remember that life is a journey. Everything that has a begin-
Letters policy: The Ranger encourages readers to voice their opinions by submitting letters to the editor. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu. Letters also can be submitted at theranger.org. Click “contact us,” then click “submit a letter.” Letters must include a printed name and telephone number. A student’s major, classification, campus and Banner ID need to be included. Letters should not exceed two pages.
seems unpopular. Doing what is right may not bring you reward or acceptance, but it will bring you peace. As you get older, the weight of this world grows along with you. Most of that weight you carry around is because you’re trying to be something you’re not. Trust me, Mark, it is hard enough to be yourself, let alone someone else. Be comfortable in your own skin, and never apologize for who you are. One truth in life is that you will wake up you and go to bed every night you. Love that person you see in the mirror and allow him to smile back at you as often as possible. You must know by this point in your life that you are loved, and you are learning to love others beyond your family. Open your heart and try to live a life through love. When love finds you, do not be afraid to love another. I had a love once that I believed was going to last forever, and when forever ended, I was certain my world was over.
ning must have an end. Try to enjoy the path between the two. Dream big and never say you cannot do something. Da Vinci once said, “If someone tells you that you cannot paint, then by all means paint.” Always believe in yourself and understand that you will fail. It does not matter that you fail, it only matters that you get up. Thomas Edison tried 1,000 times and failed before he finally created the light bulb. Life is not about anything other than living it. Keep you eyes, heart and mind open to it. Live your life for the dash. The dash is that little mark on a tombstone that is set right between the date of birth and the date of death. Actually, it is hyphen, but it’s a dash to me. It is the only part of a tombstone that has any significance. When you are old enough, you may have more questions, and I will be there. I will always be there. Your Uncle, Los
Editor:
Writer’s nephew, Mark. Courtesy
News
12 • The Ranger
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org
Professor awaits reopening of planetarium Tower will make Challenger Center the second tallest building on campus.
Fun with Physics needs shiny discs
By OSITA OMESIETE
By OSITA OMESIETE
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The new Challenger Center and remodeled Planetarium will open in the fall, and no one is more eager to enjoy the amenities the new facility has to offer than astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz. “I am most interested in the top floor open observation deck,” he said Oct. 2. Alaniz has been looking at the sky from the top floor of the parking garage. “During the design process, I requested a platform that my students can measure the sky from,” he said. David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said the top floor of the observation deck will be about 36 feet tall and have an area of about 2,376 square feet. The center will be the second tallest building on campus. The tallest is Moody Learning Center with seven stories. The planetarium is being remodeled, increasing the size and adding more seating and restrooms. Building of the Challenger
Center started May 2 and is scheduled to be finished by fall. The Challenger Center will have activities that educate students in science, technology, engineering and math fields. Challenger Learning Centers are programs to equip students with knowledge, confidence, and skills to better themselves and the nation, reports the official website for the Challenger Center. There are 45 other Challenger Centers in the country with three in Texas. Houston is home to the first Challenger Center, which opened in August 1988. It was opened by families of the crew that were lost from Space Shuttle Challenger/STS-51L, which exploded 73 seconds after liftoff Jan. 28, 1986. Alaniz asked planetarium Director Bob Kelley for telescope piers, electricity and data inputs. A pier is a telescope base, and the data inputs allow access to the Web, among other uses. Students attach telescopes to the permanent piers that face Polaris, the
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Renovations to the outer shell of Scobee planetarium Aug. 1 Ingrid Wilgen north star, he said. Alaniz said he believes the San Antonio community is going to benefit from the center with emphasis on students who have not entered high school. “We have to get students attracted to science, technology, engineering and mathematics early because they tend to deviate around the age of 10,” he said. He said all the STEM fields will be able to gain from the center. Alaniz said students at this college can anticipate acquiring greater knowledge for astronomy. “You can study it freely; all you have to do is go outside,” he said. A possibility of remote access to telescopes located in Marathon might be available, Alaniz said with elation. This opportunity was
made possible by a professor from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, he said. He said it’s dark out in West Texas and one can see exactly what is going on at the moment. It’s dry and there are clear skies yearround, he added. This will allow this college to see images through telescopes in Marathon with remote or manual access via display at this college. “I’ve gotten so used to having the planetarium. Now that’s gone I’m having withdrawal symptoms,” Alaniz said jokingly. Alaniz said he is currently using computer software in his classes to suffice for not being able to take classes to the planetarium. For more information, call Alaniz at 210-486-0060.
This digital age is rapidly moving toward flash memory. Microsoft co-founder William “Bill” Gates has said he expects DVDs and Blu-rays to become obsolete within the next 10 years, according to a Jan. 11 article on Techtron, a technology blogging website. In an Oct. 26 article from Time Tech, Time magazine’s technology website, Philip Schiller, senior vice president of world marketing at Apple, said, “Old technologies are holding us back,” in reference to why optical drives are removed from the next generations of Mac computers. Fun with Physics Friday has a use for them. Fun with Physics Friday provides weekly activities for students that can consist of anything from dismantling lawnmowers to building homemade lava lamps. The activities take place 1:30 p.m. every Friday in the
MESA Center in Room 204 of Chance Academic Center. All students are welcome to participate. Fun with Physics Friday is collecting reflective discs for their latest project. The goal is to collect 700 discs to attach to a 10-foot satellite dish to reflect the sun’s rays to generate heat at its focus point. Astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz compared the phenomenon to sunrays hitting a magnifying glass, then creating heat. This is only the beginning, Alaniz said. “If we accomplish this, we can do many other things like purify water, add more power to solar panels and burn tortillas,” he said jokingly. Thirteen white collection boxes have been placed in departments around the college. As long as the discs are still reflective they can be used, he said. For more information, call Alaniz at 210-486-0060.
Apply Now for Spring 2013! Use promo code TRANSFER before Dec. 31 and get your application fee waived!
• Programs offered in San Antonio
BUY - RENT - SELL
• Day, evening and online classes available
549-4494
• Affordable tuition
STUDENT DISCOUNT on all purchases!
Corner of North Main & Evergreen Next door to Luther’s Cafe
answers@satextbooks.com
• Bachelor’s degrees in Science, Business, Education and Liberal Arts • Instant admission decision with transcript
Get started today!
concordia.edu/transfer 210-253-3258
DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN LEADERS
News
Nov. 19, 2012
The Ranger • 13
www.theranger.org
Mircofinance helps empower women in India Empowered women mean an empowered community, a Fulbright visiting scholar says. By LUCIA ESPINO
is a regular story of life in India.” “Microfinancing is banking for the Trupti Biplabketan Jain, Michigan poor, not poor banking,” Jain said. State University Fulbright visiting It is an economic development scholar, said one-third of the world’s tool, and its objective is to assist the poor population live in India during poor out of poverty. her lecture Nov. 8. Jain said microfinance instituRoom 218 of tions funds the nursing comfirst came “Women that join plex was almost from private these groups also need full as about corporations, the support of the men five professors now they also to be successful. Men brought classes to come from her lecture titled the interest are also benefiting “Microfinance earned on from the success and Impoverished lending. of the women in the Women: Status, The govprogram.” Challenges and ernment is Trupti Biplabketan Jain, Prospects,” sponnot giving any Michigan State sored by the money for University Fulbright department of serlending but visiting scholar vices for women it provides and non-traditiongrants to take al students. care of administrative expenses, Jain Jain showed a picture of women continued. who were helped by a microfinance Microfinance institutions give institution; she said they were just a small loans to low-income people, handful of all the women the instituwith very low interest and no collattions want to help. eral, to be invested in those people’s Jain said these women were like new business with the expectation many others: They grew up to get that later they will be able to pay it married and have children, but they back. did something different. “It is a business of trust,” Jain said. After seeing the economic Even though microfinancing is a struggles their families were going new concept, India has the biggest through, they decided to ask the bank percentage of outreach with 15 to 20 for a loan, but they were denied. percent of the poor in a microfinance “The banks think that poor peoprogram. ple are not bankable,” Jain said. “This “Microfinance institutions are sac-ranger@alamo.edu
doing more than just providing the money,” Jain said. “They are approaching the people, show (them) how to start a business and (how to) keep their business.” Jain said these institutions organize groups in the same economic level, but with different occupations, gender and interest. Although these programs concentrate on helping women become financially independent, the institutions also help men who are willing to learn about microfinance. “Women that join these groups also need the support of the men to be successful,” Jain said. “Men are also benefiting from the success of the women in the program.” Jain said that not enough funds and low financial literacy from the members in the groups are the main problems for these institutions. “Too much money in the hands of the group, when they are not ready, just doesn’t work,” Jain said. “The groups are not only dealing with economic issues, but also with social issues.” The microfinance institutions work with the group to identify their needs, aspirations and obstacles. They assist the members to overcome their obstacles and achieve their goals, Jain said. Jain explained how by empowering women, these institutions also empower the communities. These microfinance institutions empower women by enhancing their contributions to their household income and increasing the value of
Fulbright scholar Trupti Jain from Michigan State University talks about microfinance and women in poverty in India Nov. 8 in nursing. Carolina Vela their assets, Jain said. This will reduce poverty rates and allow households to spend more in education, which helps with a better attendance in school and lower dropout rates, Jain continued. It will also allow women to spend on their health care to improve maternal health, nutrition and lower child mortality rates, Jain said. Sara Samano, disability support services counselor, asked, “How long a process will take?” referring to the time between the institutions putting a group together, until the group is ready to use the money on their own. Jain said it depends on the group’s
participation and willingness. “We’ve had groups that take 17 years to be ready and open their own business.” Roxana Avendano, American Sign Language sophomore, said, “I like the idea that it is mostly women, but that (it) is also community-based.” Jain said she admires the commitment of the staff at the empowerment center because it was reflected in the smile of the women who had overcome their struggles with the support of the center and the college. The most important teaching Jain will take back to her community is “helping the elder women in terms of acquiring education,” she said.
Paddling in schools still legal but not allowed Corporal punishment is legal in 19 states, including Texas. By LUCIA ESPINO
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Although corporal punishment is legal in Texas schools, it is not being implemented, Alice Laffere, education program coordinator, and Teresa Robledo, early childhood center teacher, agree. In Springtown, they seem to not agree on this. According to an Associated Press article, two teenage girls suffered bruises after they were paddled by a male assistant principal. Their parents did not complain about the punishment itself, but instead that the school violated the policy that an educator of the same sex as the student should be the one administrating the punishment. According to the Texas Education Code, Section 37. 0011 Use of Corporal Punishment, corporal punishment means the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force used as a means of discipline. Laffere, said corporal punishment is still legal, but it varies from state to state and district to district. Teachers are required to have a discipline curriculum, but they cannot administrate corporal punishment if it is not within the district’s policy. Laffere has been teaching for more than 26 years and said, although it was very common years ago, hardly any school practices corporal punishment as discipline now. Corporal punishment in schools can be traced back to the 1977 Ingraham v. Wright Supreme Court case, Laffere said.
Two male students, James Ingraham and a child to walk and not run, we say, ‘Use your Roosevelt Andrews, stated that they had been walking feet,’ instead of saying, ‘Stop runpaddled in school an excessive amount of times ning.’” and with excessive force violating their right Redirection shows children the right behavunder the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits ior instead of focusing on unacceptable behavuse of unusual punishment. ior, Robledo continued. The students argued they were not given Robledo also said even if parents approve of previous notice of the corporal punishment, punishment, going teachers at the center “Our way to discipline a against the 14th are not allowed to child here in the center is Amendment, which administer it. redirection. If we want a requires due process According to the child to walk and not run, of law to protect the Texas Education we say, ‘Use your walking individual from misCode, Section 37. feet,’ instead of saying, ‘Stop taken punishment. 0011 Use of Corporal running.’” The Supreme Punishment, to proTeresa Robledo, Court stated the hibit, allow or reinEighth Amendment state corporal punearly childhood center teacher protects people ishment on a student charged or convicted as a disciplinary meaof a crime, and the due process clause of the sure a student’s parent, legal guardian, or other 14th Amendment does not require notice or person having lawful control over the student hearing prior to imposition of corporal punish- must provide a written, signed statement to the ment as that practice is authorized. board of trustees of the school district in the Robledo said the early childhood center way stated by the board. does not use corporal punishment as a disciLeslie Garza, public information officer at plinary measure. Harlandale Independent School District, said Robledo said it is not used simply because it the district does not require written permission is prohibited as a minimum standard for licens- or approval from the parent because corporal ing requirements by the Texas Department of punishment is not being used. Family and Protective Services, but because it The Harlandale 2012-2013 student-parent does not help the child’s discipline. handbook states corporal punishment can When a child is being punished in a physi- be used as a discipline management techcal way, the child either becomes afraid of the nique alone or in combination with other person giving the punishment, does not take techniques. it seriously or often repeats the same mistake Garza said corporal punishment is not for which the original punishment was issued, enforced at the district, even if stated in the Robledo said. handbook. Suspension and expulsion are some “Our way to discipline a child here in the examples of their disciplinary measures. center is redirection,” Robledo said. “If we want The Center for Effective Discipline is a non-
profit organization that educates the public about the effects of corporal punishment in children and alternative ways of discipline, Deborah Sendek, the center’s director, said. People used to see children as miniature adults and were working at a very young age especially during the Industrial Revolution, Sendek said. Children were expected to behave, work, and be punished as adults, Sendek said. Psychologists are studying how children think and comprehend, as they get new results, the way children are treated should be changed, Sendek continued. Children are being educated to avoid violent relationships, bullying, and to prevent domestic violence, but at the same time an older male or female is allowed to hit them at school, Sendek explained. According to the Associated Press, the Springtown school district changed the policy to expand, but not void, corporal punishment. Now, opposite sex administrators can carry on the punishment as long as a same-sex school official is present. Sendek said 30 states in the U.S., and the District of Columbia, banned corporal punishment from their schools. In the remaining 19 states, it is still legal and is more likely to happen in rural cities, Sendek said. Even if is not being allowed, the fact that it’s still legal puts society several steps back from the right direction, Sendek continued. This is more than a disciplinary issue, Sendek said, “It is a human rights issue; it is not OK to hit people, especially children.” For more information, call the early childhood center call 210-486-0530 or the education program at 210-486-1275.
14 • The Ranger
Health
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org
Complex carbs fuel the body By FELIPE PEREZ JR. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Some diets say carbohydrates are healthy; others eliminate them from their programs. So are carbs good or bad? If you ask Wellness Coordinator Chris Dillon, the answer is both. Complex carbohydrates are the good carbs. Complex carbs are great for athletes because of the source of energy they provide. “Complex carbs are time-released bits of energy; they help with your digestive track,” Dillon said. Good sources of complex carbs are 100 percent whole-grain cereals, bran cereals, green vegetables and fresh fruits. Complex carbs are good because they help people feel full with few calories. Simple carbs are carbs that are bad. “Simple carbs are more of your quick fix — sugar right now where you spike up and then hit a wall an hour later,” Dillon said. Simple carbs are bad because the empty calories are converted into fat. Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. “I could ask six out of 10 students if they had breakfast this morning, and their answer would be no,” Dillon said. Need help with making the proper choices on what to eat for breakfast? “Egg whites, with a slice of 100 percent whole-grain toast, and some oatmeal,” Dillon said. “Within the egg whites slice up green peppers or spinach, and for another protein source you can have low fat turkey bacon
Service learning an opportunity to get experience for careers By KIRK HANES
Service learning has decreased in the number of courses and volunteering opportunities since moving to the office of student life in August 2010 because there are no stipends or bonuses to fund it, said Emily Kahanek, assistant student life coordinator and director of the center for civic engagement. Kahanek said, and the college’s website states, the goal of service learning is to for students and professors to gain experience in a field and give to the community. “Service learning gives no additional pay. It takes a special professor to get involved with service learning without compensation,” Kahanek said. “Professors can choose whether or not to participate in giving service learning courses.” She said the program currently has five professors and eight courses. Kahanek said no information was available from previous semes-
Up,” one helping out with children and another organizing with the event. “Chalk It Up” is an annual arts festival on Houston Street from Artpace and teaches people to build murals. Students will earn a certificate for completed service hours based on instructor requirements. Mortuary science Professor Mary Mena requires 48 hours in six weeks of service learning for mortuary science while Schafter requires 32 hours of service learning in her art history course. Mena said students receive grades for their student learning experience. “Students will go to different assigned funeral homes,” Mena said. They will assist funeral home directors with graves, escort them to a chapel and sit with the funeral home director when making funeral arrangements. Mena said service learning is almost completed for her fall course, and she intends to continue it in the spring. In the past, sociology Professor Terri Slonaker has been involved with service learn-
ters of service learning classes and professors. Art history Professor Debra Schafter said students enrolled in service learning often get to intern in the field of the service learning course. Schafter also implements student learning as an optional addition to her course, ARTS 1304, Art History Survey 2. Enrolled students are required to intern at San Antonio Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, Artpace and Contemporary Art. Only students approved by these museums and galleries end up in the service learning component of Schafter’s class. Two students from the art history service learning class recently participated in “Chalk It
ing. Slonaker said she was not able to do it this semester but she hopes to do it again in the spring. Slonaker said students volunteered at local hospice agencies, rehabilitation facilities and played center activity bingo. Sociology Adjunct John Algeo teaches a sociology course in New Braunfels. Algeo said service learning is optional for his class, and 18 hours of service learning would allow participating students to drop their lowest grade. Students are also required to write summaries in his course that apply sociology terms. For more information, call Kahanek at 210486-0127 or visit http://www.alamo.edu/main. aspx?id=4824.
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Juan Carlos Campos with a glass of 100 percent fruit juice.” Not everyone thinks about the nutritional value of everything they feed themselves. “Think of your body as a car,” Dillon said. “Carbs are the fuel that make it run.” “If we don’t put the right nutrients into our body, you are not going to be as mobile and function at your peak,” he added. For information, visit the kinesiology department’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook. com/sackinesiology. Call 210-486-1010.
THIS ROAD TO
SUCCESS
IS 25,000 FEET UP. The men and women of the Air National Guard serve part-time, which gives them the chance to dominate their full-time civilian career fields as well. You’ll develop the kinds of high-tech skills employers value, while receiving generous benefits and wearing our country’s uniform with pride.
Talk to a recruiter today to learn more. GoANG.com/TX 1-800-TO-GO-ANG
News
Nov. 19, 2012
The Ranger • 15
www.theranger.org
Veteran values education By DIANA PALOMO
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Dance sophomore Yana Lee and the rest of the dance performance class rehearse a routine for Works in Progress Tuesday in Candler. Monica Correa
Works in Progress set for Dec. 7 By FELIPE PEREZ JR. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The dance program will stage a Works in Progress show Dec. 7 highlighting routines students will be performing for their Spring Show. The Works in Progress show will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The performance is open to the public, and tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. This is the first year the program has done a Works in Progress show in which students perform routines they have prepared for the Spring Show May 10. Money raised from Dec. 7 event will be used to send members of the Dance Club to dance workshops at Sam Houston State
University in Huntsville. Twelve students will attend the workshops Jan. 24-27. The dance program moved from the kinesiology department and became part of the fine arts department this fall. “The biggest difference being part of the fine arts department is being able to collaborate with the theater department dancers,” kinesiology Professor George Ann Simpson said. More than 100 students taking dance classes will be in the show. Students from tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern dance and the dance performance class will be performing. “Any time you do something for the first time, it’s always very exciting. This show is no exception,” Simpson said. For more information, call 210-486-1021.
Veteran Valentin Martinez, a retired major in the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department Support Division, went back to school at the age of 45. He wants others to know the value of an education and giving back by volunteering. He attended this college from 1982-85, completed 150 credit hours and received associate degrees in law enforcement, criminal justice and public administration. He was president of the United MexicanAmerican Association while he was a student here. He served more than 50 years in the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Texas Army National Guard and Texas State Guard and was awarded three Purple Hearts and two Bronze Star medals. Martinez is the founder of the All-American Armed Forces Parade Association, Memorial Service Detachment, U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association and Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association. Also, he is one of the founders of Military Order of the Purple Heart Alamo Chapter 1836. Martinez volunteered a total of 5,000 community service hours. He attended Lanier High School and was a member of the JROTC. He dropped out of high school to join the Marine Corps at the age of 16. He eventually earned a GED on May 1, 1966. He appreciated the military lifestyle because it provided him clothing and three meals a day. He didn’t live that lifestyle until he joined the military. “The military was the answer because life was hard,” he said. “GI bill was the answer to all the veterans and
Veteran and graduate Valentin Martinez retired,” Martinez said. The GI bill encouraged him to get an education. “We wanted to advance in ourselves in life, and college was the answer,” he said. “Age doesn’t matter make a difference, whether you’re young or old, to attend college,” he said. Don’t be the average guy, always try to do more than what you have, Martinez said. Martinez said he is dedicated to continue serving the country until his last day on Earth. “I want to thank God for all these years in life and all that I’ve done,” he said. Martinez said, “Con Dios todo, sin Dios nada,” meaning, “With God everything, without God nothing.” He encourages students to stay in college because it will pay off.
Show this coupon and received 2 FREE scantrons with each visit
s 549-4494 n a o L Auto 1424 N. Main
% R P A 9 . FREE SCANTRONS! Est. 2012
At the corner of N. Main & Evergreen
as low as
e n i l n o y l p p a u o y n e wh
g r o . u c f b r – y a d Apply to
Buy, Sell, or Rent - get the right books and the best prices! •
96
years providing women, men, and young people with the education, information, of clients at or below 150% and services needed to make of the federal poverty level. responsible choices about sex of all health services and reproduction. are contraceptive. are age 8 in 10 clients 20 and older.
For qualified members only. The 1.9% APR is our best rate available when applying online for an RBFCU Auto Loan to purchase a new or used vehicle, or refinance an existing auto loan from another financial institution based on your credit rating and other factors. Auto loans are subject to credit approval and rates are subject to change. Some restrictions may apply. Contact our Consumer Lending Center for more details. Federally insured by NCUA.
900,000 clients served by
Planned Parenthood-supported partners in 10 developing countries.
584,000
6 million+ activists, supporters, and donors.
of clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancies.
3/4
Toll-free 1-800-580-3300
34%
of unintended pregnancies averted by contraceptive services each year. in male clients 105% increase from 2000 to 2010.
3%
ONLY
San Antonio 210-945-3300
76%
estimated number
As a student or employee of ACCD, you are eligible for membership.
of all services are abortion services
16 • The Ranger
Feature
Nov. 19, 2012
www.theranger.org
Lights! Glamour!
Fashion!
Liberal arts freshman Gladymar Nieves walks a runway during a fashion show Wednesday. The office of student life sponsored the seventh fashion show “SAC in the City” in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.
Story by Nicole A. West • Photos by Riley Stephens
B
lue lights and colorful laser beams brightened the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center while music blasted as student models walked down the runway Wednesday for the seventh annual fashion show. The theme of the fashion show was “San Antonio SAC in the City,” which Carrie Hernandez, student life event coordinator, said was a reference to the television series, “Sex in the City.” The fashion show was sponsored by the office of student life and funded by the Student Activity Fee Committee. Hernandez helped students organize and stage the show. Student Government Association President Jacob Wong, psychology sophomore, and SGA commissioner Laura Belalcazar, criminal justice sophomore, emceed the show. SGA Vice President Mike Martinez, anthropology sophomore, served as the DJ. Belalcazar was the coordinator for the event, which featured 14 student models, 10 females and four males who auditioned in October. Before the show, the female models fixed
their hair and makeup in the Fiesta Room, and the male models got ready behind black drapes. Some of the female models had makeup applied by cosmetologist Cynthia Garza who volunteered to help. Biology sophomore Kim-Briana Lorine, who is the Phi Theta Kappa president, was a model in the show. “It’s a fun event. I watched it last year and thought I’d try out this year,” she said. Most of the models had two business outfits and two eveningwear outfits. The first part of the fashion show was dedicated to a contest hosted by Generations Federal Credit Union. The bank donated $20 to each model to spend at Goodwill. The models had to assemble an outfit suitable for business attire with the $20 budget, and the winner would receive a free iPad from Generations Federal Credit Union. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to dress nice,” Kimberley Blohm, student brand ambassador from the credit union, said. As each model came out from the black drapes and struck a pose, noise of the crowd increased.
Liberal arts sophomore Jon Martinez stands vigil while business sophomore Sonya Love walks the runway Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Martinez helped the contestants step down during the fashion show.
Business freshman Terrell Stewart walked free lemonade and popcorn. the runway in a black suit with a black and red For the eveningwear portion of the show, tie. The audience reacted with whistles as he the female models wore dresses and the male posed. models wore suits. To choose the winner, Blohm asked for The eveningwear was either the model’s the audience to own clothing or applaud for the borrowed from outfit they liked Arden B in North best. Star Mall, Wong The modsaid. els lined up on The store manthe stage, and ager of Arden B, Belalcazar asked Amadilia Galindo, each one to step also attended the forward. fashion show. The audience The female Nursing sophomore Nicole Herrera and business adminreplied with whismodels took turns istration freshman Karen Ibarra help Negrón get ready. tles and applause sitting on a cube for all models, but one model, early childhood chair behind the drapes waiting for their turn sophomore Michelle Negrón, received more to walk. applause than the others. When it was their turn, two male models Negrón won the contest for business attire opened the drapes, and one held out his hand she bought from Goodwill. She said many of and led the model to the runaway where she her family members told her that she should be showed off her dressy attire. a model, and that’s why she decided to particiThree of the female models designed their pate in the show. own dresses. Negrón wore a white blazer, black blouse Education freshman Sierra Rose Solano and and white pants for her business attire. liberal arts freshman Susan Maghami designed Graduate Lizzie McDonald, who participat- black dresses, and business sophomore Sonya ed as a model in last fall’s fashion show, came to Love created a mustard halter-top dress. show her support as a spectator. Each model posed with the four male models “I had the most fun with the other girls, and who served as a backdrop, and Belalcazar playwe rehearsed a lot,” she said. fully described them as the “girls’ accessories.” McDonald described this year’s fashion As the show ended, the models posed for show atmosphere as glamorous, sassy and photos by audience members. exciting because of the decorations, music and Behind the black drapes, cookies cut as marlasers. tini glasses, heels, shoulder bags, and shirts that Before the models came out in eveningwear, read “San Antonio SAC in the City” were prostudents continued to line up outside the Fiesta vided for the models by the office of student life. Room to gain entrance. Each student had to Wong referred questions about the cost of sign a sign-up sheet for the student life office. the production to Hernandez, who could not be Many stopped at the refreshments table for reached Thursday.
Early childhood sophomore Michelle Negrón wins the seventh fashion show and an iPad while the runner-up, business administration freshman Karen Ibarra, cheers loudly.