THE RANGER
Vol. 85 Issue 4
Single copies free
Oct. 8, 2010
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
PAPER FREE iPads, classrooms and reactions
DROP CONFUSION 3 INSANITY PLEA 7 85 YEARS OF CHANGE 12
2 • Oct. 8 2010
The Ranger
The Ranger
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Attorneys Julie K. Hasdorff and John A. Convery prepare defendant Alan Godin for juror selection Wednesday in the 187th District Court in the Bexar County Courthouse. Julysa Sosa
This issue
3 News
Students not dropped until MU says so Story by Zahra Farah Photo by Tyler K. Cleveland
4 Blotter
8 Math labs offer services despite cuts Story by Megan Mares
9
Learning communities to help freshmen succeed Story by Roxanna Flores Photo by Julysa Sosa
Nurse no longer responds to emergencies
10 Session highlights
Story by Melody Mendoza
Story by Kristina Coble
5 Ideal officer-to-student
11 Student life drops
path to paperless
15 Calendar
Celebrate free speech at Chalk Day Story by Aaron Nielsen
17 Coming-Out Week
Story by Stefania Malacrida Courtesy Photo
18 JSchool Travels BP aims to clean up coast with claims
ratio not fulfilled
$11,000 on iPads
Story by Melody Mendoza
Story by Melody Mendoza
6 People
12 Premiere
20 Editorials
Godin pleas not guilty
Story by Julysa Sosa Photos from El Alamo
22 Former chair nostalgic for low-tech registration
Story by Laura Garcia Photo by Julysa Sosa
13 Zombie apocalypse
85th offers chance to reflect
Story and Photo by Julysa Sosa Cover Photo: The Ranger Online on an Apple iPad
Viewpoint by Aaron Nielsen
24 District, colleges agree there is no trust Story by Zahra Farah
opens door to dialogue
Story by Laura Garcia Photos by D.A. James and Julysa Sosa
7 News
brings welcome change
Viewpoint by Chet Hunt
23 Hill country ‘snow day’
Online Health center cuts, flu shots Stories by J. Hernandez
New software to help club committee Story by Joshua Fechter
District committee asks colleges to allign similar courses Story by Zahra Farah
Library loses 50 percent of material budget Story by Zahra Farah
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 3
Students not dropped until MU says so SGA president doesn’t expect registration to improve for spring. By Zahra Farah A student is not dropped from a class until the professor drops them through ACES and sends an e-mail to a Banner maintenance user to officially drop the student, Faculty Senate President Dawn Elmore-McCrary told senators in a meeting Wednesday. This doesn’t affect students who dropped before census date. Elmore-McCrary said she compiled that information from five sources. This news came as a shock to members of the senate because they were not e-mailing maintenance users at this college every time they dropped a student. The e-mail must be sent to a maintenance user at MU-SAC@alamo.edu. This procedure has not been made clear to faculty, Elmore-McCrary said. “We’re left in limbo,” said Christy WoodwardKaupert, Faculty Senate vice chair and political science professor. Jeff Hunt, chair of theater and speech communication, asked whether this information was going to be given to the deans and if faculty were going to be notified since no proper communication channels have been followed. Information on procedures has been distributed piecemeal to departments in e-mails that originated from Helen Torres, director of enrollment management, Sept. 1; Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, Sept. 2; Elaine Lang of the center for student information Sept. 10; and Martin Ortega, student leadership instructor at CSI, Sept. 15. If professors have not e-mailed a maintenance user of a student drop, the student has not been officially taken out of the class. This means a professor must go back and look for students they have dropped this semester through ACES and e-mail the maintenance user the students’ names and date they left their class. Students can institute a drop or faculty can drop students for excessive absences. Professors have the option of dropping a student on ACES or on a drop slip, but must e-mail a maintenance user, Elmore-McCrary said. A student is officially dropped from a class when a professor no longer has the option
to change it to a W or input a grade, ElmoreMcCrary said. When a professor enters a W grade in ACES, the professor has submitted a final grade, but not a final drop, said Bill Richardson, kinesiology and dance chair. This has changed because of Banner. The number of steps faculty have to go through to actually have a student dropped from their class angered many senators. Senators argued faculty in their departments would stop believing information given to them because of its inconsistency and falsehood. Faculty Senate is going to send an e-mail to employees notifying them of the extra step. “They don’t trust us to drop students, they think we’ll go back and give them an A,” Hunt said. Math Professor Carlos Corona asked if a student dropped the first week but was not dropped from the system correctly, who would be held accountable for them not receiving a refund check? Corona said the student would blame the professor “as they should.” If student’s exact drop date is not recorded and e-mailed to a maintenance user on the system, it will look as if the student dropped on the last day of class. This improper drop causes a student to miss out on financial aid money, Corona said. If it’s recorded as a late drop and it’s their second time taking the class and the student tries to take the class again, they will be charged for a three-peat, he said. Hunt and other senators expressed this added step doesn’t ensure it will get done, and this responsibility could fall on the chair of the department. A student must still go to counselors for a drop from all courses; if it’s a drop from one class, they have to go to the professor. In other news, Student Government Association gave feedback on the Sept. 30 Banner Lessons Learned discussion. Dr. Adelina S. Silva, vice chancellor for student success, led the meeting instead of Dr. Tom Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, who was ill. Student Government Association President Tammy Kothe-Ramsey presented their student Banner experience data. Of the 654 students surveyed, 78 percent encountered problems while registering and 40 percent didn’t think they could register next
Business Chair Val Calvert expresses concern about the future. Tyler K. Cleveland time without assistance. Kothe-Ramsey said many students said they would find somewhere else to go to college if registration was like this next semester. At the Lessons Learned meeting, she said Silva listened and wrote down problems, but the feedback Kothe-Ramsey got was it was the “students fault if they could not register.” Elmore-McCrary said at a maintenance user meeting she attended, the feedback she got was it was “our fault for sections closing and not notifying students.” About 1,500 sections closed districtwide. Business Chair Val Calvert said she had 35 sections close in her department alone. She said it was because students had problems accessing the system. “It’s not our problem; it’s a district coordinating problem,” she said. Calvert said every student who was dropped because a section did not make was called in her department. Kothe-Ramsey said she did not think these problems would be fixed before the start of spring registration Nov. 15. She said their due date for fixing kinks is around the same time as spring registration. Elmore-McCrary said there was a plan to train and make more faculty maintenance users, but the plan has not been finalized. She told the senators everyone should pay close attention to which problems are going to be resolved so they know which problems have not been resolved.
Blotter
4 • Oct. 8, 2010
The Ranger
Nurse no longer responds to emergencies Tip of the week
Reporting crime Fact: In 2009, 262 on-campus crimes were reported at this college.
The emergency help phone north of Gonzales Hall. Tyler K. Cleveland
When reporting a crime, be prepared to tell what happened, when, where, vehicle description and license number, description of persons involved, your name, phone number and location. For more information about crime prevention, visit the police department web site at http://www.alamo.edu/district/ dps/seclinks/prevention.htm.
Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
By Melody Mendoza An EMS technician treated a student who fainted in class Monday, kinesiology Professor Andreia Brown and Chair Bill Richardson discussed a new protocol that dictates the college nurse cannot respond to emergency calls. “We’re the only Alamo College not allowed to call our nurse,” Brown said. Richardson said in a phone interview after the incident that the professor or staff member in attendance should treat a student if there is a minor injury or sickness. “Worse case scenario, if we need to, call EMS,” he said.
Jorge Posadas, director of student life, who oversees the health center in Chance Academic Center, said the idea had been in review for the past couple of years and the executive team approved the change for this semester. He said a student should not be waiting for service in the health center if the nurse is out on an emergency. “Nurses are not first responders,” Posadas said. He added that the nurse would have to close the health center and make sure everyone was out of the center. Paula Dagget, RN, said if injuries are brought to the heath center, she will treat them.
David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said this was implemented so “the nurse would not be rushing to jobs.” He said the nurse is there as support and to help and inform students. Mrizek sent a collegewide e-mail May 27 stating that a student or employee at the scene of an incident should first call the district department of public safety. According to the e-mail, DPS will gather information, and then they will follow their own procedures for emergencies. After calling DPS, a report of the incident per district policy should be given to the health center by calling 210-486-0222.
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE
ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE
NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE
Sept. 17 — Individual reported burglary of a vehicle in Lot 26.
Sept. 21 — Individual reported a disturbance in the financial aid area of the welcome center. Officer made contact with the individual and calmed him down.
Sept. 21 — Individual reported a suspicious person. Officer made contact with subject and reported subject left campus without incident.
Sept. 18 — Individual reported burglary of a vehicle in Lot 23. Sept. 20 — Officer reported two individuals smoking on campus. Citations were issued to both individuals, who were released. Individual reported the theft of personal property in Loftin. Sept. 21 — Officer reported suspicious activity. Officer made contact with subject and issued citation for disorderly conduct outside. Sept. 25 — Criminal mischief between $1,500 was reported in Lot 26.
Individual reported his vehicle missing from off campus. Officer advised him to contact SAPD for further assistance. Individual reported a suspicious person in the center for health professions. PALO ALTO COLLEGE Sept. 20 — Individual reported burglary of a vehicle.
Aggravated assault against a public servant was reported in Lot 26.
Sept. 21 — Individual reported a suspicious person in the computer lab. Officer made contact with female and told her to lower her voice. No further information.
Sept. 27 — Possession of marijuana was reported in the nursing complex.
Individual reported a minor vehicle accident near Ozuna. No injuries reported.
Sept. 23 — Individual reported a minor vehicle accident near Juniper. EMS not needed. Individual reported a suspicious person around her vehicle. Officers were unable to locate the subject. NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE Sept. 21 — Officer reported a vehicle that had been given a 72-hour notice and was towed. Individual reported a public works problem with some city lights by campus. No further information. Sept. 23 — Individual reported a suspicious person. Officer conducted a check of the area with negative results.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 8, 2010 • 5
Ideal officer-to-student ratio not fulfilled By Melody Mendoza Chief Don Adams of the district police requested the addition of eight peace officer positions at the board budget retreat May 15 to bring the officer-to-student ratio to 1.1 officers per 1,000 students. Adams reported to the trustees that the district was at 0.98 officers per 1,000 students. There is no mandated ratio that says, “There shall be this number,” Adams said, but his department looked at “the best practice across the country to make a decision.” The desired ratio for colleges and universities is 3.8 officers per 1,000 students.
“It would be nice to have that,” Adams said, but, “to be at that would mean we’d need to double the department.” He said Tuesday that the May calculation included one security officer who retired last summer. Adams said the department has five security officers, eight corporals, eight sergeants and 47 patrol officers. During the board retreat, trustees and district personnel discussed budget cuts the colleges could implement because of Gov. Rick Perry’s mandate to cut public school funding by 10 percent. Four officer positions were approved for the fiscal year 2010-
11. “Two are in the hiring process,” Adams said. He said the hiring process includes advertising the position, setting up interviews and completing background checks. After a candidate is selected, the candidate is tested physically and psychologically, then interviewed again and required to undergo drug screening. Adams requested more officers because of the growing number of students in the district. Enrollment of students is up to 62,949 as of Friday, an increase of 5,046 students from the 57,903 students enrolled in fall 2009. Also, the 24 new buildings on
1.5 million square feet spread across Bexar County added a need for more surveillance. To ensure that each campus maintains a safe environment, Adams said, “we allocate our personnel based on need.” He said the department reviews statistics to see where the majority of activity is. This college is the largest campus; therefore, there would be more officers assigned here than at St. Philip’s College, which has fewer students. Although this college may have three to four officers during the day versus one to two at another college, Sgt. Ben Peña said, “The five main Alamo Colleges have 24-hour surveillance, seven days a week, 365 days a year.” Coverage depends on daily activity and may change according to contingencies, so there isn’t an exact officer number per campus per day. By way of example, Peña said St. Philip’s Southwest Campus has day and evening coverage Monday through Friday. The Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels also has one day and evening officer assigned Monday through Friday. Westside Education Center has a part-time day and part-time evening officer Monday through Friday. Adams said coverage is fluid and changes from day to day but ensures students and faculty the department is a licensed police department just like the San Antonio Police Department. The Alamo Colleges Police Department is at 201 W. Sheridan but has offices also on several campuses. The 24-hour dispatch number is 210-485-0099. For emergencies, call 210-222-0911 For more information about the department, visit www.alamo. edu/district/dps/main.htm.
6 • Oct. 8, 2010
People
The Ranger
Strike a pose: Aviation freshman Miguel Cecera, director of the fashion show “The Red Carpet Collection,” shows students how to model Sept. 27 in Loftin. The fashion show is noon-1 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Tyler K. Cleveland
Checkmate: The song “Peephole” by System of a Down plays in the background as music freshman Ignacio Salazar, right, makes a calculated move with his knight against his opponent, music freshman Francis Stromboe, Tuesday outside of McAllister. Rennie Murrell Art
work:
Graphic design freshman Ben Borst practices Japanese-style black ink with paintbrush Tuesday in Loftin. His interest in drawing began when he was a child, Borst said. Rennie Murrell
Sax music:
Music sophomore Vic Aguilar plays saxophone Sept. 30 during “Jam for Lunch,” a concert directed by Mark Denison featuring the SAC Big Band, in the auditorium of McAllister. Upcoming concerts in McAllister include the orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. For a full calender of concerts, go to http://www.alamo.edu/sac/music/musiccalendar.htm. Jacinta Nicole Gaskin-Paulsen
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 7
Godin pleads not guilty By Laura Garcia The trial in the case of the shooting death of a Northeast Lakeview College librarian opened Thursday with a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity caused by transglobal amnesia. Almost two years to the day after he was arrested, Alan Godin, 64, appeared in the 187th District Court before Judge Raymond Angelini. As the prosecution claimed Godin “snapped” in jealousy and his attorney described a history of transglobal amnesia, the defendant fidgeted and appeared nervous. The widow and family of Librarian Donald “Devin” Zimmerman sat in the front row. Transient global amnesia is defined by the Mayo Clinic website as “a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can’t be attributed to a more neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke.” The site notes that recall of recent events vanishes but self-recognition and recognition of others is retained. The Mayo Clinic describes transient global amnesia as “rare, seemingly harmless and uinlikely to happen again.” Afterward memory is unaffected. About two years before the shooting, Godin
CONT. FROM PAGE 24 was building the Chairs Council, the district administration consisted of a chancellor, two vice chancellors and six directors. Today, that has grown to five vice chancellors, six associate vice chancellors, 12 directors and two coordinators, plus a deputy to the chancellor. “The structure is complex and difficult to establish effective communication,” he said. He said communication seems to be “top dog”; it’s difficult to know who’s dictating the actions. Bernal said there is no input from faculty or staff. “Whatever governing structure is supposed to be, it seems to be an illusion.” The colleges have traditionally operated under a system of shared governance and the academic model is of faculty leading the
Assistant District Attorney Lorina Rummel dramatizes the Zimmerman shooting. Julysa Sosa sought treatment at an emergency room when he discovered he had no memory of shopping with his then-wife, Christine, dean of learning resources at Northwest Vista College. She thought he was joking, but a brain scan showed an abnormality. Godin is represented by John A. Convery and Julie K. Hasdorff of Hasdorff & Convery, P.C.
institution as stewards of higher education in the best interests of their students. Economic factors pushed higher education into workforce development answering to government and business interests, creating a topdown, corporate environment. The technicality of Banner is not an issue, Bernal said. The issue is whether district has learned to trust faculty with students. “Let’s see if we can learn from those frustrations to trust academic unit assistants and chairs,” he said. Bernal said he hears registration will be better in the spring, but “right now, it’s been all talk.” Another problem colleges deal with is too many reports, too suddenly and too big. The Development Education Grant awarded to Alamo Colleges was a $1.5 million Texas Higher
He remains in custody in the Bexar County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond on a charge of firstdegree murder in the Oct. 13, 2008, shooting. Tracy Mendoza, dean of learning resources at Northeast Lakeview, testified about being in a classroom lab next door to the library at the time of the shooting, which occurred at the former Albertsons facility on Pat Booker Road.
Education Coordinating Board Grant to improve developmental education. The Alamo Colleges website said the focus of the project is to move students through developmental education in a shorter period of time (less than two years) and to accelerate education. Bernal said parts of the grant are becoming more complicated than they need to be. Last year’s vote-of-no-confidence in Chancellor Bruce Leslie should have been an indicator that trust needed to be repaired and the dialogue should have started then, Bernal said. At a Sept. 16, 2009, board meeting, four of the five Alamo Colleges tenure-track faculty reported a no-confidence vote in Leslie’s leadership of more than 90 percent. St. Philip’s faculty asked for the chancellor to resign. Bernal said this was unprec-
edented and sad that it happened, but it was a good indicator that something is wrong. It’s taken a year to talk about trust, he said, but it is time to work together and learn from it. He said a way to build trust between the colleges and district is to have fewer administrators at the district level. Bernal said they know some issues are beyond the Alamo Colleges’ capability and a lot of it comes from the state. “The state doesn’t do us many favors,” he said, adding that neither does the district. “They don’t trust us because they think we don’t know the big picture. Try us.” He said he doesn’t know if the mistrust is coming from the trustees: Are trustees not listening to faculty concerns or is the chancellor not representing faculty concerns to the trustees.
8 • Oct. 8, 2010
News
The Ranger
Math labs offer services despite cuts By Megan Mares Math Chair Said Fariabi said most private math tutors range from $10 to $15 an hour, but this college furnishes some at no charge. Both the college-level and developmental math labs offer free services. They are open from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Rooms 121 and 124 of McCreless Hall. On Friday, labs are open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Also a lab is designated to Web Assign, a program for MATH 0301 students, in Rooms 119 and 124C in McCreless. This lab is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. All three labs are closed on Sunday. Last spring, the tutoring lab was open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The hours have been cut from 19 hours to 14 hours a week. The budget has decreased from about $135,000 to $56,000. The department received a grant that pays for six tutors, all of whom are working 19 hours a week. Anthony Vasquez, liberal arts sophomore and math tutor, said, “With these budget cuts
enforced, school doesn’t feel like an educational institution anymore, it feels like Wall Street; top heavy and run by corporate executives.” Matthew Mauldon, sophomore and computer science major, teamed up with Vasquez after both attended the regular September board meeting of the Alamo Community College District trustees. The two took a stand against cuts made to the math labs. “There is strength in numbers,” math education specialist Steve Ochoa said. “The students are the customers; they need to be serviced.” Vasquez and Mauldon have created a petition to add more lab hours and tutors and are beginning to gather signatures. “We want to be peaceful and professional; we want the administration to do the right thing,” Mauldon said. They said that many students give up on education because of the lack of help provided. “Our tutors have to have a minimum of an A or B in college algebra,” Ochoa said, adding that at least two tutors are available. During peak hours of 11 a.m.-2 p.m., there are three. “Often,
many professors come in and help during peak hours when they get a chance. They know we can get overloaded.” Math Professor Brian Hons, lab director, said about 600-900 students come in each week, and by next fall, the numbers should increase four times. “We would like to require all developmental math students to come to lab, but without the funds and the space to put students, we are still trying to figure out how that will be possible.” According to the Internet-based system Tutortrac, a program that is used to track students, shows about 200 students visiting the lab per day and more than 200 hours with tutors. Alternatives are available in the math labs, such as private rooms, textbooks and one-on-one help. Textbooks are available for 30-45 minutes. When asked if the changes to the math labs have been effective, Fariabi said, “I am still waiting. You’ll have to ask me after this semester, I want to look at the numbers.” For more information, call 210-486-0240.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 8, 2010 • 9
Learning communities created to help freshmen succeed Attending classes together builds friendships and increases support. By Roxanna Flores Learning communities give students the opportunity for success in their studies and overcoming fears of entering college while turning classmates into great friends. The program is open to all incoming freshman education majors who score into two or more developmental educational courses on the Accuplacer test. The courses include READ 0301, Pre-College Reading; ENGL 0301, Basic English 2; or MATH 0300, Basic Mathematics. The program has been a success because it pairs two classes. For example, a student development class might be paired with a developmental education course, such as English. Students attend classes with the same classmates, which allows them to get to know each other. Sophie Caldera-Castaneda, coordinator of academic development, said this allows students to feel relaxed and gives them the confidence to ask their classmates for notes or phone numbers. Criminal justice freshman Frances Martinez said exchanging numbers and having classmates for more than one class has helped her because sometimes she can’t attend class and she feels comfortable enough to call one of her classmates and ask what she missed. Caldera-Castaneda stressed that the grouping also gives students the confidence to ask
English Professor Norma Cruz-Gonzales teaches Basic English 2 Sept. 15 in Gonzales Hall. Students in the class are part of a learning community. Julysa Sosa questions of teachers. English Professor Irma Luna is one of many teachers at this college involved in learning communities. She volunteered to teach English in fall 2006 and has been teaching in the program ever since. Throughout her time teaching, she has seen students in her class come together to help out struggling peers. Luna said students who speak English as their second language struggle more because they feel isolated. Group activities give students a chance to
communicate and help one another; therefore, the student can get the help they need to be able to pass the course. The program has helped business management freshman Nicole Herbeck transition from the small town of Southbridge, Mass., to a big city like San Antonio. It’s allowed her to open up to her classmates and feel confident and comfortable enough to ask questions. Previously she kept to herself. “Learning community students are better prepared, better students,” Luna said. For more information, call 210-486-0183.
10 • Oct. 8, 2010
News
The Ranger
Session highlights path to paperless By Kristina Coble Get used to the paperless classroom because it seems to be here to stay. Students are now required to print everything from syllabuses to handouts, adding another expense to the growing cost of college. As recent budget cuts rip through district services, this campus is implementing a green operation called the three R’s: reuse, reduce and recycle. For every 100 pounds of trash thrown away, 35 percent of it is paper. This campus has around 750 local and network printers. If each department uses one toner a year, and one ream of printer paper, the campus may be spending $400,000 for the print consumables. Usha Venkat, director of information and communication tech-
nologies, stresses it’s not only about cost but the well-being of the environment and business processes. “This effort will help us streamline our current business process while at the same time improve the environment we live in.” Since the fall of 2009, this college has urged faculty members to avoid excessive printing and this fall, no syllabuses or any other handouts are supposed to be printed for distribution to students. Venkat presented a session during Employee Development Day Sept. 29 on tips and techniques to enforce a paperless classroom and the advantages it will produce. “It will allow students to submit written work using word processors and via e-mail attachments,” she said. “Professors are able to post syllabuses, handouts, presen-
tations and worksheets for the students to print out.” Venkat highlighted the use of Adobe Acrobat Professional, a multimedia software solution to save any document as a PDF, or portable document format, making it easily accessible to students. Although this software is not installed on campus computers yet, it will be available later. She demonstrated features Blackboard Vista offers compared to ACES. Tests, quizzes and surveys can be created through Blackboard, and automatically graded. ACES allow students to receive updates and messages from professors. Professors are able to create files and folders for handouts and syllabuses. Professors can also create a calendar with assignments and deadlines.
Via e-mail Wednesday, the issue of system failure was brought up to Venkat in which she responded, “It will be hard to completely avoid system downtime. As a safe computing practice, employees will be encouraged to secure a backup copy of all of their critical documents at a different location.” This will be at their own expense. Some students aren’t too thrilled. “I hate it. It’s difficult to print out everything from home. It makes it harder,” said nursing sophomore Jennifer Hernandez. Freshman Eric Monsivais said, “I really don’t like it because people don’t have access to a computer or printer.” But some students welcome the go green idea. “It makes sense,” said photography sophomore Gabby Gonzales.
News
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 11
Student life drops $11,000 on iPads, software Devices at $499 each are expected to reduce printing costs. By Melody Mendoza The student life staff spent more than $11,000 on iPads, cases and software while the district administration is pushing the colleges to go paperless. One of the seven iPads, the Apple device costing $499 each, distributed to student life staff was stolen in Loftin Student Center, according to a Sept. 16 police report. The report stated that the individual placed the iPad on a table, turned around for 30 seconds to one minute and turned back to
find the iPad missing. Sgt. Ben Peña of the district police said Oct. 1 the case is still under investigation. Jorge Posadas, director of student life, said he could not comment. Posadas said Sept. 30 that the iPads are used as sign-in sheets and an organizational tool for college events. Posadas stressed the iPads are part of the district’s move to go green and reduce paper use. Student Life also spent $6,000$7000 on an organizational software purchase from a company where associate Director Jeff Jackson worked. Posadas said Thursday there was no conflict of interest and The
We’re looking for a few good men & and women Tell us the story of your favorite veteran. E-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu or call 210-486-1773 by Friday, Oct. 22
Ranger should check with legal affairs before raising the issue because it could hurt someone. Posadas said staff met last spring with OrgSync software professionals; Usha Venkat, director of the college’s office of technology services; and this college’s vice presidents, Robert Vela, David Mrizek and Jessica Howard where they decided that iPads were the most cost-effective option for more efficient data-collecting. However, Thursday, Venkat said she was not aware of Jackson’s relationship with the vendor. Three more iPads will be purchased to replace sign-in sheets at the front desk, fitness center in Loftin and the health center in Chance Academic Center. The three iPads will be in bolted down cases each costing $275. This cost will come out of the student activity fee fund assessed to students at a rate of $1 per semester hour. The 10 iPads totaled $4,990, which Posadas said was cheaper than buying laptops, which could run from $15,000 to $20,000. David Gonzalez in district acquisitions said he could not say how much district pays for laptops. The district has a contract with Dell Computers, where Netbooks can run as low as $299 and laptops start at $469. The seven staff iPads were purchased from funds from the 200910 regular operating budget, or funds the district releases to each department per fiscal year. This year, student life received $90,000 from the college’s operating budget, half of the total the office got last year, Posadas said. Half of the operating funds pays part-time employees and coaches, and the other half pays for operations. Posadas said the iPads are a business tool that staff can take
home to plan events and use as a communication device. During the planning of an event, Posadas said members decide on a targeted goal. For example, if student life plans a movie night, they might decide their goal is 500 people. The OrgSync software is intended to assist in measuring progress toward a goal and was purchased with student activity fee funds. The program is used to sign in students to track attendance. Staff members take the iPads to student life events to replace signin sheets and collect evaluations at the end of each event. Posadas said students use their ACES ID to sign into the program, which gives student life a general headcount of events. The student evaluations will “increase our response time to meet students’ needs by 100 percent,” Posadas said, referring to giving better customer service. Posadas said, “We are hoping to connect to the college,” but this won’t be until, “the far future.” Staff has already used the iPads and software at events this semester such as the Psychic Fair. Jackson said, “There was one event at San Pedro (Springs) Park that they couldn’t use them” because there was no Internet. As of now, Posadas said they will continue using paper sign-in sheets at off-campus events where wireless Internet is not available. “We would have had to buy 3G or 4G iPads,” he said. “We’re just not ready for that yet.” Apple does not produce a 4G model, but the 3G model starts at $629 and requires a monthly contract for service. Posadas said so far, 1,229 students have signed into student life events and 212 evaluations have been filled out during September.
Prem
12 • The Ranger
85th year celebration offers opportunities to r A fundraising gala Saturday waltzes into the Westin Riverwalk Hotel. By Julysa Sosa Eighty-five years since the foundation of this college, its history proves momentous. The college now boasts an average of 22,000 students a semester, which makes it the largest single-campus community college in Texas. This college originated from the University of Texas in 1925 as University Junior College in San Antonio. The junior college didn’t last long as part of UT Austin; the next year, the college passed into the stewardship of the San Antonio Independent School District where it remained until state legislation created junior college districts. In 1945, the San Antonio Union Junior College District was formed, and the next year San Antonio Junior College and St. Philip’s College joined in the district. In 1948, the name was shortened to San Antonio College and in 1951 moved to its present site. President Robert Zeigler credits the college’s connection to the community with its 85 years of existence and solid reputation. “What strikes me the most about being president of this college is the response from the community. I always find someone says ‘I went to SAC,’” Zeigler said. “There’s always a connection SAC.” Zeigler should know. He attended San Antonio College in 1959, for two years, before he transferred to Sam Houston State University. The 85th anniversary celebration stretches through spring with activities including a fundraising dinner and gala. The gala Saturday celebrates the 85th anniversary from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel, 420 W. Market St. Entertainment will be the Paul Elizondo Orchestra. Tickets are $150 and are tax deductible. Of the ticket price, $114 will go toward scholarships and programs at this college. For more information on the gala, call Pamela Tyrone-Tyler in the college’s office of institutional advancement at 210-486-1385.
WSAC was the college’s closed-circuit radio station in 1960.
In 1967, cars filled what today is the mall on the west si
Accounting clerk Jackie Wolcott maintains records in 1964. In addition to the gala, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to volunteer Oct. 15-16 in honor of the college’s 85 years of service to the community. Fifteen volunteers are needed to help serve lunch, clean up and greet Haven for Hope residents from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at 1 Haven for Hope Way. On Oct. 16, volunteers are needed at Habitat for Humanity on Azul Street in the Palo Alto subdivision from 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to help build houses. Hispanic Heritage, Black History, and Women’s History months are all included in the celebration because “they all kind of fall under the same umbrella,” said Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources. In the past 85 years or so, the college has seen its share of ups and downs. Zeigler explained that technological advancements are one of the most drastic changes he has seen throughout his experi-
ence at this college. Zeigler came back to the college to teach history in 1971 before becoming coordinator of telecourse programs, interim vice president, interim president, vice present and later president. “We have seen a huge change in technology,” he said. The first faculty computers were installed in 1993; however, computers have been used in student labs since 1987. Now, there are 31 regular classroom labs, 43 departmental labs, and nine open labs for students to use, bringing a total of 83 computer labs on campus. Another significant change, he said, is this year’s financial constraints with more budget cuts to come. Reduced funding is affecting programs, but Zeigler said he is confident the situation will improve. “This is just a bump in the road, not a short bump in the road,” he said. “It could take two to three years, but we will eventually get out of it.” He noted that to improve the situation, state aid is needed. “We definitely have to receive more money from the state,” he said.
“The mo in Nail T
miere
Oct. 8, 2010 • 13
reflect, help community
ide of Moody, here under construction. It opened in 1968. Photos from El Alamo
ost modern data processing equipment,” or what we now call computers, in 1967 Technical Center
Theater freshman Kailyr Frazier performs with fire Sept. 10 at Josephine Theater at Second Friday Art Walk. Julysa Sosa
Zombie apocalypse By Julysa Sosa Zombies will invade Tobin Hill tonight during the Second Friday Art Walk. The visual arts, theater and music departments from this college joined the Tobin Hill Arts Alliance in an effort to promote area artists and galleries. A reception kicks off the event from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the college’s visual arts center, 950 Lewis St., and the art walk runs until 10 p.m. A free trolley service will pick up art lovers starting at 6 p.m. at the visual arts center to whisk them through the neighborhood to nine venues on the art walk. Also participating in the art walk will be students from the college’s Onstage Drama Club to promote their annual haunted house, this year themed “virus.” Dressed like zombies, the students will wander throughout the art walk in search of the living to feast on. Students of the music department will perform at the various venues of the art walk. The San Antonio College Guitar Ensemble and Early
Music Ensemble, which performs medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music, will perform at the visual arts center. A guitar ensemble quartet will perform at La Casa Rosa Art Studio, 527 E. Dewey, and the Latin Jazz Combo will perform at the High Wire, 326 W. Josephine. A trolley is scheduled to run at 15-minute intervals around the nine venues in art walk: visual arts center, San Antonio Visual Artists, La Casa Rosa Art Studio, Tycoon Flats, Treasured Restorations, The Gallery Josephine, High Wire Art Gallery, Serendipity Artspace and Galeria Santos. Giant paintbrushes will mark the venues. “We kick off early to get the people from college before they go home,” said fine arts photography Professor Rebecca Dietz. “People are encouraged to park at SAC and ride the trolley all the way around and not have to worry about finding parking in the street,” she said. The trolley’s last stop is in front of the visual arts center at 10 p.m. For more information, go http://tobinarts.com.
14 • Oct. 8, 2010
The Ranger
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 15
Calendar
Celebrate free speech at Chalk Day By Aaron Nielsen Drawings, love notes, poems — politics, whatever comes to the public consciousness — can be seen from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today in the mall between Loftin and the chemistry and geology building as the sidewalk becomes a giant chalk board in celebration of National Newspaper Week. The event celebrates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government from limiting free expression.
For coverage, call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
“We want students to appreciate the freedom of speech they have in this country, particularly in a college setting,” said Marianne Odom, chair of media communications. “We want people to express themselves, excluding profanity, of course; however, artwork, political views, religious messages are all welcome.” Chalk Day is a free event open to the public. Buckets of multicolored chalk will be made available by The Ranger staff and the campus chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists to anyone willing to partake in this event south
Saturday Event: Livegreenfest sponsored by CPS Energy from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Olmos Basin Park, 500 Devine. Go to www. cpsenergy.com.
Today Event: “Gulliver’s Travels” annual flower SAC Event: Black Student Alliance drive 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden in Room 624 of Moody. Call 210486-0593. Center, 310 N. New Braunfels. Continues noon-3 p.m. Sunday. Call 210-824-9981. SAC Meeting: San Antonio Education Partnership 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Room SAC Sports: Men’s soccer vs. UT-Pan Am 652 of Moody. Continues Fridays. Call at 3 p.m. at UT-Pan Am, 1201 W. University. 210-486-0121. Call 210-486-0125.
of Loftin Student Center. 2004 marked the beginning of Chalk Day when student Gabriel Garza left a bucket of chalk in the mall to see what students might do while he was attending class. The chalk was used to creatively decorate the sidewalk. A college staff member saw them and complained, but this opposition gave birth to the idea. Chalk messages and artwork are limited to the brick walkways during this event. Drawing on walls, steps and inside buildings is not allowed.
Tuesday
SAC Music: Orchestra concert 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486SAC Worship: Campus Crusade for Christ 0255. at 1:30 p.m. in Room 119 of chemistry and geology. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210- SAC Lecture: Carmen Tafolla perfor486-1233. mance and master class for aspiring writers 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in the theater in McCreless SAC Meeting: Society of Women in Theatre. Call 210-486-0882. Engineering at noon in the MESA study center in Room 204 of Chance. Continues Thursday Tuesdays. Call 210-486-1309. PAC Event: Horticulture Club hosts plant Event: “Exploring Ancient Water Systems sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the new greenin a Modern City — San Antonio an the house, 1400 Villaret. Continues Friday. Call Acequias” 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Mission San 210-486-3073. Jose visitor’s center, 8235 Mission. Call 210-923-0272. Event: Childbirth education classes sponsored by San Antonio Birth Doulas 6 Wednesday p.m.-8 p.m. at Catholic Charities, 202 W. French. Call 210-330-9971. SAC Event: Belles Artes Celebration 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Koehler and Bennett. Call SAC Event: Leadership Forum sponsored 210-486-0882. by student life 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0127. SAC Event: Spa Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Music: Faculty guitar recital with Terry Muska at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium SPC Event: 2010 Best Tasting Salsa of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. Scholarship Competition for high school chefs noon-1 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Oct 15 Call 210-486-2318. SAC Meeting: Nontraditional Students SAC Meeting: Society for the Club at 1:30 p.m. at the empowerment Advancement of Chicanos and Native center, 703 Howard. Call 210-486-0455. Americans in Science at 3 p.m. in the MESA Calendar Legend study center in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-0342. SAC: San Antonio College
SAC Event: Video gaming 1:30 p.m.-3:30 Monday p.m. in Cyber Cafe in Loftin. Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Community: Flu shots 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. $24 or $9 SAC Event: Coffee night and open mic for first 50 students each day. Continues sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese at 6:30 Wednesday. Call 210-486-0222. p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club at NWV Event: “Wrought Iron Fog” Tere 3 p.m. in Room 100 of Gonzales. Continues O’Connor Dance at 7 p.m. in Palmetto. $10 Mondays. Call 210-486-0125. or $5 with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210486-4810. SAC Meeting: Society of MexicanAmerican Engineers and Scientists at 3:30 SPC Event: “Ongoing Alternative Energy p.m. in the MESA study center in Room R&D Activities at Southwest Research 204 of Chance. Continues Mondays. Call Institute“ with engineer Edgar Bowles in 210-486-1309. the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics lecture series at 2 p.m. in the Lecture: Distinguished Lecture Series, feaHeritage Room. Call 210-486-2100. turing Robert M. Hazen, senior geologist at Carnegie Institute at 7:30 p.m. at Laurie SAC Music: Ensembles Renaissance Auditorium at Trinity University, One Trinity Concert at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Place. Call 210-999-8441. McAllister. Call 210-486-0255. SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association at 3 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Call 210-486-0673.
SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NVC: Northwest Vista College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College
16 • Oct. 8, 2010
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 17
The Ranger
Coming-Out Week opens door to dialogue By Stefania Malacrida Monday in Loftin Student Center a special free-standing door will open to allow people to walk through. Everyone is invited to do the “door-walk.” It is not a new type of dance — it is the campus observance of the National Coming-Out Week. A college committee has planned events Oct. 11-15 dedicated to gender minorities and diversity. The celebration will begin 11 a.m. Monday on the second floor of Loftin around a door borrowed from the theater department. “Whoever wants, will walk through that door as a symbolic way to get out of the closet, to declare one’s sexual identity, and to say, ‘Here I am, the way I am,’ no matter the consequences,” said English Instructor Richard Farias, who serves as adviser of this college’s Gay and Lesbian Association. Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair, and Farias are co-chairs of the Coming-Out Week Committee. Farias said he is looking forward to seeing how many people will accept the challenge. “Statistics estimate that sexual minorities in America are 5 percent to 10 percent of the population,” he said. “But obviously, not everybody comes out. For this reason, straights are invited as well to support their friends.” Revealing sexual identity is crucial to gays and lesbians, but the moment comes for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, to risk disappointing others. “The coming-out week invites everyone to overcome that fear,” Farias said. How is this possible? As gays and lesbians have always done — with colors and fun. Along with the “door-walk,” a drag bingo will feature drag-queens and drag-kings distributing prizes and hilarity. The events will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Oct. 12 with the screening of four documentaries in Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building. The first three movies, MTV True Life productions, tell coming-out stories. At 9:30 a.m., “I’m Coming Out” will be shown. At 11 a.m., “I’m Bisexual” will be shown and at 12:15, “I’m Changing My Sex.” The last documentary, “The Bible Tells Me So,” shows the reactions of families to their children coming out.
“Some parents are more accepting, others less,” Farias said. “The documentary clearly shows that the benefits of expressing oneself outweigh the disadvantages.” “I am now 32, and when I came out at 24, I was relieved of a huge burden. I think that coming out publicly means first of all coming out to oneself,” he said. After the documentaries, the celebration continues at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center with a speech from one of two female sheriffs in Texas and the only out lesbian, Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez. Valdez has been in law enforcement for more than 30 years, and she will share her professional and personal experience of being a woman in a field dominated by men. On Oct. 13, a number of San Antonio associations representing sexual minorities will be in the mall passing out information about their organization, while the live band Burning Nopal plays. On Oct. 14, there will be three lectures from 9:25 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 120 of the visual arts center. The first lecturer, Dr. Jonathan Lee, chair of history, humanities and anthropology, will address “Gay in America” at 9:25 a.m. The second lecturer, Dr. Elizabeth De La Portilla, an anthropology professor, will speak at 10:50 a.m. about the relationship between “Homophobia, Transphobia and Gender.” Farias will present “Why Gay Marriage Matters” at 12:15 p.m. On Oct. 15, National Coming-Out Week ends with Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, 40, who will share his experience as a gay Marine. The speech is at 6 p.m. in the theater in McCreless Hall. Alva gained national popularity as the first American wounded in the Iraq War. In 2003, he was traveling in a convoy with his battalion when he stepped on a land mine, damaging his leg so badly that it needed to be amputated. In 2007, Alva came out. “It was very painful to hide who I was as well as very stressful,” he said via e-mail. “No man or woman should ever feel oppressed solely for the basis of their gender identity.” Since then, he has worked with the Human Rights Campaign to speak out against the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Alva is a special guest to this college because he was a student here in 1989. “Back then, we did not have an organization like the Gay and Lesbian Association,” he said.
Staff Sgt. Eric Alva “San Antonio has changed a lot in the last 20 years.” Alva defined the coming-out week as very important and appreciated the idea of the door. “Unfortunately, many doors are still closed. Texas, for example, does not have any anti-discrimination policies in the workplace,” he said. Alva said, “We have not passed any federal laws to prevent the firing of individuals just for being lesbian or gay,” Alva said. Gov. Rick Perry said in 2005 that gay veterans who want the right to marry should consider living in a state in which it is legal. Perry responded to a reporter’s question about rights of gay veterans when signing a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman, “Texans have made a decision about marriage, and if there is some other state that has a more lenient view than Texas, then maybe that’s a better place for them to live.” Alva’s last thought goes to the students who on Monday will have the courage to step beyond the threshold, the many “door-walkers” emerging from their anonymity. “Students, you have to remember, when you walk through that door, you are not just saying ‘Here I am, the way I am — today.’ It has to be every day, everywhere you go.”
18 • Oct. 8, 2010
JSchool Travels
The Ranger
The beach at Gulf Shores, Ala., shows condos in the background with a few sunbathers in the area Aug. 18. D.A. James
BP aims to clean up coast with claims Company dedicates more than $1.6 billion to cleaning spill.
into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly three months. The oil company’s presence continues in areas along the coast with community outreach By Laura Garcia centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. MOBILE, Ala. –– Beach-goers relax and play In those same states, BP claim centers litalong the shore, oblivious to BP oil cleanup ter the coastline, providing assistance to those crews a few feet away. whose livelihoods — dependent on tourism and For those who vacation and live along the seafood — were damaged because the spill kept Gulf Coast, this is the new reality. tourists away and closed fishing areas. Bikini-clad women sunbathe Fears of contamination all but halted GULF while their children fill sand pails in the seafood trade. COAST the same shallows where workers are On Aug. 18, the claim center in searching for oil. Mobile, 325 E. Interstate 65 Service Workers in bright orange vests and Road South, buzzes with business A Series protective clothing, gloves and booowners, condo-owners and fishermen ties over their boots shovel tar balls looking for assistance with submitting onto a tarp. From there, their findings move to a documentation for their claims. staging area to be carted off to a nearby landfill. A police officer facing the front door proBP gas stations still line U.S. Highway 90, vides security while several adjusters assist peoyards from shores polluted by the company’s ple sitting at rows of computers. crude after an oil rig explosion April 20. Adjusters Dave Scott and Sean Porter help The Deepwater Horizon explosion killed 11 residents organize their paperwork to submit men and spewed some 200 million gallons of oil to BP.
A BP gas station on U.S. Highway 90 in Gulfport, Miss. Julysa Sosa They said the first step in the reimbursement process is to call 800-916-4893 to set up the claim. The service center helps locals seeking reimbursement only after a claim has been placed. Porter said some of the most common claims in his location are from the fishery industry, condo owners and residents who lost wages this summer. Rental property owners who bring in revenue from tourists and vacationers experienced
The Ranger
Oct. 8, 2010 • 19
JSchool Travels
Workers advise residents on requests for payments in a BP claims center Aug. 18 in Mobile. Photos by Julysa Sosa a loss for the summer. For fishermen, closed fishing areas and customers who fear contaminated seafood from the Gulf Coast hurt their businesses. Even food service employees walked through the doors, claiming lost wages because business is slow and workers were scheduled for fewer hours. Restaurant managers from Louisiana to Florida reserved less-than-friendly remarks not only for BP, but for the national media’s coverage of the spill that kept tourists away. “We just try to get the people back to where they were,” Porter said. The oil company’s website says they will be paying all legitimate claims for damages resulting from the incident. According to an Aug. 23 press release, BP has paid $399 million since May 3, when it paid its first claim. BP received about 166,000 calls, had 154,000 claims filed and wrote 127,000 checks within that 16-week period. On Aug. 23, BP transitioned its individual and business claims program to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. As of Sept. 16, BP had disbursed about $1.6 billion in pay-
Signs using a character from the “Spongebob Squarepants” cartoon show the effects of the April 20 oil spill on housing prices Aug. 15 in Grand Isle, La. ments and approval for payments. Individuals or businesses can submit a claim for removal and cleanup costs, damage to real or personal property, loss of earnings or profits, loss of subsistence use of natural resources or physical injury or death. In addition to writing checks
for those affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill, BP plans to conduct research during the next 10 years. According to BP’s website, the company is pledging the $500 million commitment to create a broad, independent research program called the Gulf of
Mexico Research Initiative. The research project will investigate the impact of the oil, dispersed oil and dispersant on the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico and affected coastal states. For more information on BP claims, go to www.bp.com.
20 • Oct. 8, 2010
Editorial
The Ranger
Alexandra Nelipa
Students: Keep complaining Kudos to the Student Government Associations at the Alamo Colleges who took the initiative to collect students’ experiences with Banner and ACES. SGA at this college and Palo Alto were able to survey more than 1,286 students in about a week, probably faster than any district survey would have taken. SGA really connected with students by incorporating the survey with Facebook to survey students, unlike the district’s impersonal strategies in making decisions without our input that affect us. When SGA presented their results at the Sept. 21 regular board meeting, trustees were able to get a good look at the situation from the students’ perspective. Not only did students go through a wide variety of complications during registration, we also suffered cuts in student services: SLAC, writing center, library, tutors, printing, math labs, etc. We applaud the students who
took the time and interest to complete the survey because the results show a very different picture from the district’s line that it has everything “all under control.” Individual students also have been moved to action. Fernando Rojas, criminal justice sophomore, also stepped up, collecting more than 330 signatures requesting restoration of the SLAC cuts. Others are collecting signatures on a petition to restore math lab services. SGA and other students should continue to voice their complaints, suggestions and praise — some things do work as they should — to be part of solutions. The chancellor and trustees need to understand the impact of their decisions on students before they make changes. Perhaps make a habit of asking for student input. It’s not hard to find them. More than 60,000 are on our campuses.
Call your state representative Gov. Rick Perry’s website lists his priorities for the state. Education ranks fifth of five but the site claims it is the most important investment a state can make in its people. The website says the governor has strived to ensure that Texas institutions of higher education provide students the best chance for a better life. This certainly contradicts Perry’s mandate for a 10 percent cut in state appropriations. Because of budget cuts, the district is left to figure out what’s going to have to go. Students are angry because budget cuts have resulted in a loss of English, math and SLAC tutors and lab and library hours. A lack of services can jeopardize students’ grades and progress toward graduation and transfer. It’s time to stop complaining and start doing something for ourselves. Students have to step up to inform their legislators that they are accountable for the quality of education. Our elected officials can say they care, but their actions prove otherwise. Everyone is in a tough economic position, but to start axing the education budget is no way to give us a shot at a better life.
The Ranger
Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu District 1: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive, San Antonio, TX 78228 Cell: 863-9500 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251 E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way, Helotes, TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 755 E. Mulberry, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78212 Work: 244-8879 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu
Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu
The Ranger Editor Laura Garcia
Managing Editor Zahra Farah Calendar Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photographers Tyler K. Cleveland, Rennie Murrell, Julysa Sosa, Alison Wadley Photo Team Katie Bordini, Noel Bracy, Christopher Michael Brown, Dave Crockett, D.L. Gonzalez, Karla Iruegas, James Lazo, Henriette Mutegwaraba, Nicole Jacinta Gaskin-Paulsen, Pam Ramsey, Jenny Robles, Carmen Sanjuan Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa, Fred V.M. Nockroes III Staff Writers J. Almendarez, Jacob Beltran, Kristina Coble, Joshua Fechter, Roxanna Flores, J. Hernandez, Rachel McKee, Stefania Malacrida, Megan Mares, Aaron Nielsen, Creshawna T. Parker, Daniel Perales, Abiel Rodriguez, Riley Stephens Production Manager Melody Mendoza Production Assistant Krystal Barcenez, Jason B. Hogan Web Administrator D.A. James ©2010 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.
Oct. 8, 2010 • 21 Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu or faxed to 210-486-1789. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the singlecopy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
22 • Oct. 8, 2010
Viewpoint
The Ranger
Former chair nostalgic for low-tech registration Banner, a software product from SunGard Higher Education, has been successfully implemented at more than 1,400 schools across the country and around the world, according to the Alamo Colleges website. Viewpoint by Apparently, this Chet Hunt semester’s registration reduced that success number to 1,399. In a rush to make things easier, centralized computer registration achieved the opposite. The Internet was just in the development stage and unavailable to the public in 1978, the year I began teaching at San Antonio College. Student enrollment had reached more than 22,000. At that time, registration consisted of three days at the beginning of each semester devoted to students coming to campus and selecting classes from departmental stations in Nail Technical Center. Faculty and staff were available
to answer students’ questions — eyeball to eyeball — and counsel and advise those who needed help. As classes filled, new ones were opened. I recall registering with the same type of system at the University of Texas with students registering in Gregory Gymnasium. Yes, students stood in a long line to get into the registration area, but once inside they could move from station to station until they filled their schedules. They paid their bills and left, feeling confident they were safely enrolled. Journalism was a small department not known for high enrollment numbers, but the Watergate affair and Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s reporting in the ’70s, recounted in a best-selling book, “All the President’s Men,” and a hit movie infused American journalism with a new adversarial edge. It seemed everybody wanted to be a hotshot investigative reporter. Because our table abutted the English department’s tables, we shamelessly recruited students waiting in the English line. “Do you like to write?” we asked. “Are you
Students wait to enter Nail in 1976. File photo a curious person?” “Do you have space for an elective?” Many of our best reporters, editors and photographers took the bait and went on to successful media careers. Sadly, “progress” has come with a downside — impersonal and unpredictable — and the past will remain just that — passed. Chef Hunt is chair and professor in emeritus in the journalism program at this college. He spends his retirement volunteering with The Ranger Online.
The Ranger
Viewpoint
Oct. 8, 2010 • 23
Hill Country ‘snow day’ brings welcome change This last week I had an epiphany of sorts. During the fallout of Hurricane Hermine, San Viewpoint Antonio by Aaron Nielsen was under Mother Nature’s thumb.
I flipped the switch to get some light in the room and again nothing. Each time, forgetting what out of power means. I systematically lit some candles and walked across the room to settle into a chair with my textbooks. After all, I did have some class reading to do, which, like most stu-
Power outages, heavy flooding and traffic accidents were everywhere. It seemed the city was suddenly taken hostage. Imagining the magnitude of something like Hurricane Katrina is almost impossible for most, but San Antonio got a small glimpse of what that kind of natural disaster may be like. When I finally left campus Tuesday afternoon, it seemed like maybe the worst of the storm was over. No sooner did I arrive home to find that the real stuff, in my neck of the woods, the Hill Country, hadn’t even started. It started around 4:30 a.m. Sept. 7 and continued through Sept 8. For the bulk of the day we were flooded in without power, cable or Internet! This return to the Dark Ages of sorts made my afternoon a little difficult. I went to heat up some food and realized there was no power, and, therefore, no microwave. I thought OK. I’ll heat it up “old school” on the stove. That was a no go as well. Again, I had forgotten there was no power. I ended up with some chips, cold beans, a jar of queso and some salsa from the fridge, which I didn’t want to hold open too long to keep the cold in.
dents, I inevitably leave till the last minute. For a moment, returning to this archaic world had a funny effect on me. I was like a robot on autopilot. My expectations of the modern world were suddenly challenged by something as trivial as the weather. As my sense of panic left, I realized I had no control over the afternoon, and a warm cozy sense of acceptance suddenly came over me. When I was a kid growing up in Ontario, I always privately kind of relished the “snow days” days when society would grind to a halt temporarily, simply because of the conditions outside. That meant no school! More sleep! Anything the day could hold. The sheer chaos of it made me feel excited. I guess I haven’t changed much; I still get that feeling when society is no match for Mother Nature. So as the rain came down on my little tin roof, I ate a bit, took a short nap and read by candlelight for the first time in a long time Juan Carlos Campos
24 • Oct. 8, 2010
News
The Ranger
District, colleges agree on one thing — there is no trust By Zahra Farah After September’s budget retreat, faculty, staff and administrators left in agreement on the latest draft of 25 initiatives to cut costs and admitted to a lack of trust between the colleges and the district. After the Sept. 21 Staff Council meeting, President Geraldo R. Guerra said the employees and administrators involved in the retreat overwhelmingly acknowledged the mistrust. “The colleges don’t trust the district, and district doesn’t trust the colleges,” Guerra said. Guerra said the retreat was the first time “everything was laid out on the table.” The retreat also revealed that staff members have trust issues with their own colleges. “We had a wide discussion and were able to express what we felt in an open environment,” he said. Employees had a chance to put forth what they thought about district in an environment they felt would not jeopardize their jobs, he explained. Guerra said, in general, everyone was in agreement that the parties have not trusted each another for some time. Guerra said the colleges and district agreed they had to move forward and brainstormed steps to form a trusting relationship. Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, associate vice chancellor for academic partnerships and initiatives, has worked with Alamo Colleges for 30 years. She started as a professor at this college before being tapped to become Chancellor Robert Ramsay’s assistant. She then moved to Northwest Vista College to be the academic vice president. Afterward, she returned to district and
now works in the academic student success department. Fabianke said the mistrust developed from a traditional lack of communication between the college and district. She said in the past, the colleges traditionally ran as five individual institutions. Fabianke said the district handled human resources and finances and “there was no dialogue about anything academic.” Fabianke said when Achieving the Dream: Community College Count was introduced to the district in 2004, it forced the two parties to come together and talk when the Lumina Foundation awarded the district a $100,000 grant for each of four years. The district added an additional $300,000. Achieving the Dream is a national network dedicated to making student success a priority with community colleges, states, national policy makers and taxpayers. Alamo Colleges planned to use the $700,000 to increase student success, to support first-time-incollege students by strengthening student development and to improve gatekeeper courses. For example, student success in MATH 0303 increased from 48.5 percent in fall 2004 to 62.2 percent by fall 2009. Fabianke said first-time students in student development classes’ grades increased from 71.9 percent in fall 2007 to 76 percent by fall 2009. Their overall gradepoint average went up by 4 percent. The project is also aimed at encourag-
ing productive grades, C or higher, in all courses; semester to semester persistence; and graduation. The district hired two mentors: Dr. Kay McClenney, project director and senior lecturer at University of Texas at Austin, and Brad Phillips, a data facilitator from California. They began by meeting with district staff quarterly and continue to meet twice a year. Phillips gathers reports that analyze incoming students from the fall and watches their progress and time it takes for them to graduate. Fabianke said prior to this, data was gathered differently at each of the five colleges and district, and no one shared data. Fabianke said when she attended the first Achieving the Dream conference in Austin in 2004, with a dean of student services from this college and faculty member from St. Philip’s College, the first thing they were asked to provide was student success data. Fabianke said they did not have any data. “You can’t talk about data when everyone does it a different way,” she said. It was impossible to tell the Alamo Colleges board about the student success rate because everything was done so differently at the colleges and no one trusted data coming from anyone else. Systems were put in place to collect the same data in the same way from each of the colleges to be funneled to the district. “We’re not 100 percent there, but we are in a better
place talking with each other,” she said. One example is Faculty Senate here accusing Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, of not trusting faculty because their access to Banner student services was so limited they could not help students with registration. Cleary said he did trust faculty during a phone interview Sept. 8. Fabianke said it’s pretty miraculous how hard faculty and staff worked to get students registered. She said it’s going to get better by spring. Fabianke said, right now, there is a committee tweaking and building the system. “As I’m told by our consultants, it’s really unprecedented to integrate five student databases with finance and human resources,” she said. She said 25 years of student data from different colleges have been incorporated into one system. English Chair Alex Bernal has served on the faculty here for 36 years, Faculty Senate more than 15 years as chair of the District Chairs Council, a group he pushed to establish. In an interview Sept. 28, Bernal said the issue of trust comes from faculty dealing with a bloated administration structure at district. Several times in Faculty Senate meetings, district administration has been referred to as “an army.” Bernal wanted to know how many administrators the district has and what percentage of the budget goes to supporting district operations. “We are scrambling at the college and had to reassign people to other jobs,” he said. Around the time Bernal
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