The Ranger
Vol. 85 Issue 5
Single copies free
Oct. 15, 2010
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
FREE PIZZA 3 PERMIT DOUBLES 9 GRAMMY NOMINEE 14
OUT FOR GOOD
GLBT CLOSE DOOR ON INTOLERANCE
2 • Oct. 15, 2010
The Ranger
The Ranger
A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926
Architecture sophomore Pedro Sylva participates at Chalk Day Oct. 8 in the mall south of Loftin. Jenny Robles
This issue
3 News
President, free pizza on mall
Photos by Julysa Sosa and Tyler K. Cleveland
8 North Central facility
Story by Joshua Fetcher
on board retreat agenda
Librarians settle database cuts
Story by Laura Garcia
15 Calendar 16 TAMUSA offers
communication transfer
Story by Aaron Nielsen Photo by Tyler K. Cleveland
expenses first Photo by Jenny Robles
24 Concert series provides venue for performance Story by Stefania Malacrida Photo by D.L. Gonzalez
9 Committee moves to
17 Flex 2 is Take 2 for first-generation student
Story by Zahra Farah Photo by Pam Ramsey
Story and photo by Jacob Beltran
Story by Jennifer M. Ytuarte
Story by Megan Mares
4 Blotter
10 SAC plans for
18 Shadow of
Online
undocumented entry looms
Story by Joshua Fechter
Story by Rachel McKee
Math labs add tutoring hours to accommodate disabled
A month of recognition includes reserved parking
increase parking fee to $50
mortuary science in Korea
Competitions for scholarships seek design
opens doors for students
Story by Abiel Rodriguez
Cleary leads work on Banner for spring registration
Story by J. Almendarez Photo by Alison Wadley
21 Olympians endure
Story by Zahra Farah
12 People
Story by Megan Mares
6 NLC librarian sentenced to 25 years for murder
14 Grammy-nominee teaches the business
22 Editorial
Story by Melody Mendoza
Story by Aaron Nielsen
Story by Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photo by Julysa Sosa
5 News
Senate questions role of faculty, budget cuts Story by Zahra Farah
Story by Abiel Rodriguez
11 Coming-Out Week
20 Soccer player moves from coach to co-captain
training, low pay, fans
Continuing education tuition increase proposed Story by Zahra Farah
Cut nonrevenue
Cover: Drag queen Eryca Daniels announces freshman Jasmine Culton during National Coming-Out Week in Loftin Monday. Alison Wadley
The Ranger
President, free pizza on mall Students have a chance to question college administrators. By Joshua Fec ht er To provide students with a venue to address college officials, Student Government Association presents Pizza with the President with Dr. Robert Zeigler from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday in the mall. “It’s an opportunity for students to ask questions and share concerns directly with those in charge,” Tammy Kothe-Ramsey, SGA president and psychology sophomore, said. Students will write questions on index cards and submit them to a member of SGA who will read them to the president and other officials. SGA will set up chairs so students can eat pizza and listen to Zeigler and others answer their questions. Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs; David Mrizek, vice president of college services; and Emma Mendiola, interim vice president of student services, will attend as special guests. Kothe-Ramsey said that she expects from 100 to 150 students to attend and encourages all students to come by. “Please stop by and talk, even if there’s not enough pizza,” she said. SGA hosts Pizza with the President each semester. The event is free and door prizes will be awarded. SGA also plans to sponsor Barbecue with the Board Nov. 21 with district trustees. For more information, call SGA at 486-1430.
News
Oct. 15, 2010 • 3
Librarians settle database cuts By Rac helMc Kee
library fee to be used specifically for the library of the college in which they enrolled. Librarians met with Dr. Robert Zeigler priThen former vice chancellor for finance vately Oct. 7 to finalize a list of database sub- and administration, James McLaughlin, deterscriptions to be discontinued. mined the district itemized too many individAll microfilm subscriptions and paper ual fees on students’ bills and recommended periodicals have also been cut. The database rolling them into one general fee that included cuts include Literature Online, Contemporary the library fee. Women’s Issues and Art Retrospective. McLaughlin verbally assured librarians Library Chair Candace Peterson said the that the library would receive their dedicated librarians cut subscriptions they felt had the funds. That lasted one year. least impact and ones that other Before subscribing to dataresources can substitute for. bases, the library had about 1,200 According to individual usage paper subscriptions to newspareports from spring 2010, at least pers, magazines and journals. After 5,320 students had accessed the the databases were established, databases selected for cutting. paper editions were reduced to The material budget for last 52, and now they are being elimiyear totaled $615,183, but the nated. librarians have not finalized the Librarian Stephen Dingman exact budget for this year with Dr. said, “Students need more than Candace Peterson Alice Johnson, dean of learning Google. Google doesn’t have copyresources. The materials budget supplies the right. It’s all legally protected. That’s why stulibrary, student learning assistance center, TV dents need the databases.” station and student multimedia lab. The databases also tie into the colThe annual cost for the databases was lege’s accreditation granted by the Southern roughly half of last year’s materials budget. Association of Colleges and Schools. Materials cut this year account for $54,337.47, Library hours were shortened by an hour which is 18 percent of databases, print and Monday through Friday and an hour on microfilm. Librarians also are expecting to Sunday. make more cuts next semester. The hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday The personnel costs at San Antonio College through Thursday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, are greater than at other district colleges. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. “There already is pressure being put to trim Sunday. the budget by all district colleges combined by The databases can be accessed at the $500,000,” Peterson said. She said that poten- library website at www.alamo.edu/sac/library. tially includes library staff reductions. For more information, call the reference In the 1990s, students began paying a $12 desk at 210-486-0554.
Math labs add tutoring hours to accommodate disabled students By Mega n Ma res Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences approved $100 more per week for the math department that will go to tutoring for disabled student services. The money will provide 10 more hours of 30-minute, one-on-one tutoring. This semester, the college-level and developmental math labs continue to offer free services from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Rooms 121 and 124 of McCreless Hall. From 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the labs are consolidated in the developmental lab in Room 121. On Friday, labs are open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. “I put the two labs together,” Dr. Said Fariabi, chair of math and computer science, said. “I thought it would benefit the students to have tutors
from both labs available at the same place to help all math students.” In the combined labs, students will have access to three or four tutors after 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Kinesiology sophomore Tyler Pennington said, “If everything goes according to plan and the math department utilizes the funds we have received — and are so grateful for — correctly then the combination of the labs will be a great resource for students, but only time will tell how well it will work.” In addition to the college and developmental labs, there is a lab 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. Saturday. All three labs are closed Sunday. For more information, call 210-486-0240.
Blotter
4 • Oct. 15, 2010
The Ranger
A month of recognition includes reserved parking Tip of the week
Night walker Fact: Fatal pedestrian crashes peak between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. when darkness and alcohol are factors. Visit PEDSAFE at http://www.walkinginfo.org/ pedsafe/crashstats.cfm.
By Jennifer M. Ytuarte November’s Employee of the Month nominations are due today. Not only does the recipient receive congratulations from their peers, they also choose the location of a reserved parking spot. Any full-time faculty or staff member with at least one year of service is eligible for nomination. The winner has a chance to win District Employee of the Month and be recognized at the monthly Alamo Colleges board meeting. Employees interested in suggesting someone must fill out a nomination form and submit at least three letters of recommendation. Forms are available online at http://www. alamo.edu/sac/staffcouncil/htm/pdf/eom_nomi-
SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE Sept. 28 — Individual reported damage to district property in Gonzales. Officer located the suspect and issued a citation.
Early childhood studies sophomore Ambrocha Cortinas stands at Dewey and Belknap waiting for a ride at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. D.L. Gonzalez
Sept. 29 — Individual reported feeling dizzy in nursing center and was transported by SAPD to the hospital. Sept. 30 — Individual reported burglary of vehicle in Lot 14.
October Employee of the Month, Les Germer, coordinator of college technology, connects blue data cables Thursday in Moody. Julysa Sosa nation_form.pdf and http://www.alamo.edu/sac/ staffcouncil/htm/pdf/eom_recommendation_ form.pdf. Send completed nomination packets to EOM Mailbox No. 95 by 5 p.m. Friday.
Oct. 7 — Individual reported a personal vehicle had been damaged in Lot 2.
Oct. 1 — Individual reported his cell phone had been stolen in performing arts.
Individual reported a wallet had been stolen in Fletcher.
Oct. 5 — Individual reported burglary of vehicle in Lot 3.
Individual reported a stolen jacket in Fletcher.
NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE
Oct. 8 — Individual reported burglary of vehicle in Lot 23. ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE
Individual reported a suspicious male in Loftin.
Sept. 28 — Individual reported an injury in class.
Sgt. Ben Peña of Alamo Colleges police department said never walk alone and call campus police for an escort. Campus police said if walking alone, use a route with a lot of people, walk on the side of the street facing oncoming traffic and have keys ready.
Individual reported a male in the bookstore who had been previously issued a criminal trespass warning.
Individual reported a disturbance in the welcome center. Officer made contact and told individual to quiet down.
Oct.1 — Individual reported their vehicle had been damaged in a car accident in the parking garage.
Sept. 30 — Individual reported a student refusing to leave the welcome center.
For more information about crime prevention, visit the police department website at http://www.alamo.edu/district/ dps/seclinks/prevention.htm.
Oct. 2 — Individual reported a broken key in Nail.
Male was found in possession of marijuana in Lot 12. Individual reported a suspicious male near the early childhood center. Individual reported found property in Loftin.
Sept. 30 — Individual reported a suspicious male in Redbud. Oct. 6 — Individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized in Lot 7. Officer reported a vehicle with its trunk and door open in Lot 7. Oct. 8 — Individual reported his personal vehicle had been burglarized in Lot 7. NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE
Individual reported burglary of a vehicle.
Sept. 28 — Individual reported theft of personal property in the wellness center.
Oct. 1— Individual reported theft of property in Watson.
Sept. 30 — Individual reported a suspicious vehicle in Lot 5.
Individual reported a suspicious male near the child development center.
Oct. 6 — Individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized in Lot 5.
Individual reported his personal laptop had been stolen outside. PALO ALTO COLLEGE
Oct. 3 — Individual reported missing district property in the campus police office.
Sept. 28 — Individual reported found property outside.
Oct. 6 — Individual reported a cell phone being stolen outside.
Sept. 29 — Individual reported a suspicious person in the science work force center.
Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189
The Ranger
News
Oct. 15, 2010 • 5
Senate questions role of faculty, budget cuts By Zahra Farah Dr. Robert Aguero, vice chancellor for academic success, spoke for three hours Wednesday with Faculty Senate on the role of faculty, student success, student support services and program review. Aguero said the role of the faculty member first and foremost should be student learning. Aguero said if it were his choice, he would have full-time faculty in the classroom and teach overload classes. He said students need academic advising from faculty, and faculty offer quality information. He said he does not like financial cutbacks forcing the colleges to hire more adjunct faculty. Five percent state appropriation reduction has forced the district to cut $12 million from its fiscal year 2011 operating budget. This mandate has caused the district to push for a 50-50 facultyto-adjunct ratio. The second most important faculty role is to continue to be actively involved in curriculum because “you are the experts.” Math Professor Carlos Corona asked why a 50-50 ratio rather than 70-30. Aguero explained it was only to cut expenses and faculty members are valued employees. He said he would prefer 70-30, but he is only one of 12 votes on the chancellor’s executive team. Corona said a lot of people don’t get this information because it never trickles down. “They need to know it’s not a push-out.” Aguero replied, “We value you; your presidents value you; even the chancellor values you.” “I don’t think the chancellor would agree with that,” Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair, said. He said that in all his meetings with Chancellor Bruce Leslie, he hears him pushing for a 50-50 faculty-to-adjunct ratio. When Aguero brought up faculty’s influence on curriculum,
Corona asked for a definition of academic freedom because the deans say the professor is responsible for what goes on inside the classroom. Aguero said academic freedom is based on curriculum, but a clearer definition is needed. Faculty members said they find themselves wearing more hats than teaching and guiding students in the classroom. Political science Professor Christy Woodward-Kaupert, vice chair of Faculty Senate, asked if the chair is in the classroom more, when would they handle administrative duty? Aguero said chairs need to have released time to fulfill their administrative duties. If he had to choose, he said he would rather have the chair teaching and have an administrator in place. He said the colleges are not there yet and won’t have an administrator fill the position of chair because the chair is handling both duties. Biology Chair Teanna Staggs explained that faculty “hold deep to our heart electing a chair” who knows the ins and outs of the department rather than having an administrator. Aguero said a chair would be given a choice of being an administrator. Some chairs are doing more administrative and technical duties than teaching or not enough administrative duties, so the workload of chairs from different departments is not equal. Aguero said the role of the chair needs to be evaluated more. On student success, senators asked Aguero’s thoughts on how faculty could encourage student responsibility in attendance and class participation, and the impact of a withdrawal date four-fifths of the way through a semester on student success. Aguero said one of the tactics he found useful when he was
teaching was the amount of wiggle room he gave his students. He told faculty to “lay out the law” at the start of class and stick with it. Aguero remembers teaching in 1991 when he would tell students after three absences, they would have to deal with the dean. He said he knows faculty hear every excuse like “my dog ate my homework” to “my kid was sick,” but they need to stick to their rules. Aguero said it needs to be communicated to students “you expect them to do the work and be prepared for class” and “especially with adjunct faculty, rules need to be put in place and followed.” Aguero did not have an answer on how to prevent students from dropping a course late in the semester. He said he would have to look at the trends and at productive grade rates. Aguero said for example, if the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board graded students by completion of a course rather than productive grade rate, the colleges could move up census dates and not allow students to drop after census day. This would increase completion in a course, but not guarantee improved productive grade rates. “You would see more F’s,” he said. He said the district is continuing to discuss where to draw the line. “I’ve been in education for 37 years, and I don’t have a good answer.” “You’re speaking to the choir,” Hunt said. Even though he agreed with Aguero on not knowing how to prevent students from dropping four-fifths through a class, he told Aguero he and the district were “out of touch.” Hunt said there are so many outside factors affecting students so if “you’re not flexible, your program tanks. If you taught a class today, you would not be successful,” Hunt said.
Corona said faculty cannot control retention rates and asked for suggestions for improvement that don’t include being told, “You’re an instructor. Do it; it’s your job.” Aguero replied, “Is it your task to motivate students? Yes.” Staggs said if “our job is to motivate students, at the end of the day, they have to motivate themselves.” Aguero said the public is demanding to see retention and lower drop rates, which is putting pressure on the state and higher education to seek better results. Hunt said because of the culture, today people think they are entitled to things. “Students think by showing up, they get an A,” he said. Counselor Steve Samet asked how colleges can improve retention rates if their tutors and job placement services are being cut. This year, the board of trustees voted to increase ad valorem taxes by 0.5 cent per $100 valuation and spring 2011 in-district tuition by $30 for 12 hours. Samet said if the public demands better retention rates, they’re going to have to pay for it. Aguero said everyone was in this together. “What’s in it for Robert” is not to be chancellor. He’s already been one and didn’t like it. He wants to better San Antonio and the Bexar community, he said. “That is where my heart is,” he said. In other news, Librarians Celita DeArmond and John Deosdade asked Aguero about the initiative to cut district colleges’ libraries by $500,000 for fiscal year 2011. Aguero said the bottom line is the district has to figure where to cut about $21 million for the next two years. DeArmond asked if $500,000 was a realistic number to cut from libraries, especially this college, which serves 25,000 students and
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
News
6 • Oct. 15, 2010
The Ranger
NLC Librarian Robert Vaughn reacts to sentencing Wednesday sitting with Tracy Mendoza, dean of the learning resource center, and President Eric Reno.
Zimmerman’s widow, Vanessa Lucio, weeps Tuesday after hearing the guilty verdict.
Alan Godin listens Wednesday to Librarian Robert Vaughn as he tells Godin in his personal statement that his act “was an assassination” after Godin was sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined $10,000 for the shooting death of Northeast Lakeview Librarian Donald “Devin” Zimmerman Oct. 13, 2008. Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland
NLC librarian sentenced 25 years for murder By Melody Mendoza
Godin’s former wife, Christine Crowley, cries after hearing the sentence.
The victim’s mother, Molly Zimmerman, reads her personal statement to Godin.
Wednesday marked the two-year anniversary of the killing of Donald “Devin” Zimmerman. A co-worker, Alan Godin, 64, shot the Northeast Lakeview College librarian at close range. This week, Godin was convicted of firstdegree murder and sentenced to 25 years and a fine of $10,000. The five-day trial began Oct. 6 with jury selection — eight women and four men — in the 187th District Court before Judge Raymond Angelini. The defense team, John A. Convery and Julie K. Hasdorff of Hasdorff &’ Convery, P.C., opened Oct. 7, the first day of the trial, with a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity caused by transient global amnesia. The Mayo Clinic website defines the condition as “a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can’t be attributed to more neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke.” The prosecution brought in six witnesses, including an eyewitness and co-worker at the
library, Godin and Zimmerman’s former supervisor, three Alamo Colleges police officers and Bexar County’s chief medical examiner. Librarian Robert Vaughn, the victim’s best friend at work, painted the most complete picture of the shooting and described the last moments of Zimmerman’s life. He said Godin arrived three hours before his regular shift, donned ear protection and began shooting. Vaughn said he immediately yelled to get students out of the library and called for security. When he came back into the library, he said Godin was sitting at a library table. Vaughn said he grabbed the gun and placed it in an employee workroom. He joined two students trying to revive Zimmerman with CPR and said with tears in his eyes, “I was holding his hand,” when Zimmerman died. During his testimony, Vaughn repeated the odd movie quotes Godin used just days before the shooting. “I don’t want to get away with it. I just want
The Ranger
News
Oct. 15, 2010 • 7
Librarian Robert Vaughn demonstrates how defendant Alan Godin put on ear protection before shooting the victim. Julysa Sosa to do it,” Godin quoted a shooter in the movie. Sgt. Alberto Marin, Alamo Colleges criminal investigator, showed the evidence, which included the ear protection, five bullets, six shell casings or spent ammunition, a 40-caliber Glock handgun and positive gunshot residue tests. On Day 2 of the trial, Oct. 8, a former student, Joseph Francis, testified. He said he was studying in the library the day of the shooting and tried to revive Zimmerman. “He was having a hard time breathing,” Francis said. “Blood was coming out of his mouth; he tried to say something, but I didn’t know what it was.” Edward I. C. Wallace, Bexar County crime lab forensic scientist supervisor, also testified to explain the details of the gun and bullets used. Sgt. Chester E. Johnson Jr., a Live Oak police officer who responded to the shooting, said he took Godin to a police office on campus after the shooting. Johnson said while waiting for police, Godin said, “I guess I really messed up. I don’t care.” Christine Crowley, Godin’s then-wife, testified on Day 3 of the trial, Oct. 11. She told the jury about Godin’s previous diagnosis of transglobal amnesia in 2006. She said Godin had an episode in which he couldn’t remember spending a day assembling a bar-
becue grill, where it came from or anything else that day. The defense team argued again that Godin had transglobal amnesia at the time of the shooting despite testimony that a second episode rarely occurs. Dr. Michael Arambula, a pharmacologist who evaluated Godin on Dec. 8, 2008, said he also believed Godin had amnesia that caused the murder. Dr. Brian Scop, a general forensic psychologist, was also called to testify and disagreed with Arambula. The doctors said they interviewed Godin and evaluated his body language, speech and eye contact and later reviewed his medical history and the crime. Godin had history of high blood pressure and depression and took many medications at once. The prosecutor and defense team returned Tuesday to give their closing statements. Prosecutor Daryl Harris told the jury, Godin “knew at 2 in the afternoon that Devin would be there,” Harris said. “He used the hearing protection so he wouldn’t be distracted by screaming and he could focus on ‘get Devin Zimmerman, get Devin Zimmerman, get Devin Zimmerman.’” Convery told the jury, “I told you Alan Godin did the act, but he did not commit the crime.” He reminded the jury of all the problems Godin has and argued
Prosecuter Daryl Harris demonstrates to the jury Tuesday Alan Godin’s intent when loading the gun before killing Northeast Lakeview Librarian Donald “Devin” Zimmerman Oct. 13, 2008. Harris said that Godin’s loss of memory was “magic.” Tyler K. Cleveland this case was different because he had an abnormal thought process. Assistant District Attorney Lorina Rummel followed, telling the jury they had all of the evidence laid out for them. She pointed out that Godin had been acting his entire life. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is his biggest acting career right now.” She argued that there wasn’t evidence to say Godin had transglobal amnesia at the time of the shooting, and, therefore, should not be excused. Jurors then deliberated for 3 1/2 hours and came back with a guilty verdict. Wednesday, the final day of the trial, was the punishment phase. Vanessa Lucio, Zimmerman’s
widow, was the only person to testify. The jurors deliberated for about three hours and sentenced Godin to 25 years in prison. After the jury was dismissed, Molly Zimmerman, the victim’s mother, and Vaughn delivered their personal statements to Godin. Zimmerman told Godin he should have pleaded guilty and called him a “great actor.” Vaughn said, “It was assassination.” After the trial, Lucio told the media she was pleased with the punishment. “He will rot in prison,” she said. “That’s good enough for me.” Zarah Farah and Laura Garcia contributed to this story.
8 • Oct. 15, 2010
News
The Ranger
North Central campus on board retreat agenda Bond election and annexation of surrounding counties are also retreat topics. By Laura Garcia An Alamo Colleges North Central campus might come sooner than later. The district’s plans will be discussed at a board retreat at 9 a.m. Saturday in Room 113 of Huisache at Northwest Vista College. According to the agenda released Tuesday, district officials will consider when to pursue planning for a new campus and how to address the issue of growth. Trustees unanimously voted to purchase four tracts of land for a sixth college April 28, 2005. Since then, the 145.5 acres has remained undeveloped west of Interstate 10 and north of Loop 1604 near the Kendall County line. In a telephone interview, Chancellor Bruce Leslie said two other fundamental questions need to be asked at the retreat: whether the
district should consider annexation of neighboring counties and whether the district should continue promoting growth. State appropriations have been in decline for years, and the colleges effectively turned away students this semester when 1,500 sections were canceled as the district attempted to cut $12 million from the budget. Leslie said if the district doesn’t start planning for growth, the colleges might have to cap enrollment. He said Northwest Vista was built to support 12,000 students. Now the college serves about 13,000, and within the next year or two, it will reach the maximum it can support. According to figures released Oct. 1, the college serves 16,023 students. The city’s growth, Leslie added, is in the north and northwest. This raises the issue of pursuing a bond and when to plan for developing one. In February 2005, voters rejected a $450 million bond package, which included plans to consolidate health career training from this col-
lege and St. Philip’s College in the South Texas Medical Center. In November 2005, a revised bond package, which kept health career training intact at the colleges, passed. It included $125 million for Northeast Lakeview College. Leslie said a new bond could help pay for the construction and planning of a new campus. He said if the board approves annexation of seven counties in the district’s service area, it will have to determine a model to use for annexation and when to pursue the change. Residents in these counties do not pay district ad valorem taxes but do pay a higher outof-district tuition. A 2005 report on annexation of Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr and Wilson determined the district would gain an additional $18.5 million from the additional property base offset by a change to in-district tuition, The Ranger reported Sept. 6, 2006. Contractor Doug Lowe will present a demographics study at the retreat to help trustees understand growth trends.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 15, 2010 • 9
Committee moves to increase parking fee to $50 in spring Increase in fees would pay for more parking and expansion of police force. By Zahra Farah District trustees unanimously approved Tuesday a recommendation to increase the price of parking permits from $25 to $50 beginning in spring. The Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee’s recommendation now goes to the full board in the regular October board meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 in Room 101 of Killen Center, 204 W. Sheridan. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, said the idea to raise the price of parking permits to $50 was submitted to the Chancellor’s Suggestion Box. Initially, committee members approved recommending a tieredparking system for Alamo Colleges at its Sept. 14 committee meeting,
but the item was removed from the agenda for the Sept. 21 regular board meeting. The tiered-parking plan would have charged students $30, $60 and $90 for different levels of parking access with premier parking closer to buildings. Strybos said Tuesday they realized through discussion the tieredparking plan was a mistake. He said this idea is not feasible for the colleges’ demographic. Strybos said colleges would potentially see their $15 million parking garage half full and continue to have parking problems because more students could choose the less expensive permit. He said the plan could work for employees because they tend to not leave campus during the day, but students come and go, meaning they would not be guaranteed the spot they paid for. At last month’s committee meeting, district staff proposed a plan to assess a $10 general fee for all students to be able to maintain the current $25 fee for those who
Read about District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr. voting against an increase of continuing education tuition online at www.theranger.org.
John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, speaks about increasing the price of parking permits during the Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee meeting Tuesday in Killen. Photos by Pam Ramsey use the lots. Trustees, however, thought the plan unfair and preferred a tieredparking plan. The proposed $50 rate would bring in revenue of $470,000 per year and fund new parking construction at Northeast Lakeview and Northwest Vista colleges, address poor parking, and have more cameras and technology for the district department of public safety. At this committee meeting, Strybos stressed peace officers need to have technology to issue electronic ticketing. A ticket then could be processed in the Banner system and students who have not paid tickets would have a hold on their registration application. They are also looking at changing the fee for citations. Last fall, 7,747 citations were issued at the colleges. The current fee for citations is $15; in the spring, it would increase to $16. Paying a citation after 10 business days would decrease from the current $22 to $21. The new structure adds a third
level for payment after 20 business days. That would be $27 in the spring semester. Strybos said despite budget constraints, the district police need more peace officers. District 3 trustee Anna U. Bustamante said when she attended San Antonio College, there were a “zillion parking problems,” but this idea is too expensive and “bad for students.” Dr. Gene Sprague, District 6 trustee, said compared to other colleges, this price is not expensive. District 7 trustee Blakely Latham Fernandez said this is a big change coming at one time, and Bustamante agreed. Instead of having a blanket fee for every citation, Sprague asked if the district could raise prices, depending on the kind of offense committed. Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the district’s approach is to keep it simple with a one-rate citation because a lot of people write citations.
10 • Oct. 15, 2010
News
The Ranger
SAC plans for mortuary science in Korea Korean students must enroll in English-as-a-second-language classes first. By Abiel Rodriguez
©2010 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. All rights reserved.
The college’s mortuary science department will soon offer its students and faculty the opportunity to study abroad. Eulji University, near Seoul, South Korea, and this college signed a memorandum of understanding to allow students and faculty to study in either school. The signing took place in Killen Center Aug. 11. James Kim, a 1987 mortuary science graduate of this college, set the agreement in motion. Kim was the first to introduce American-style embalming to South Korea and is also the first person in that country to have an embalming and funeral director’s license. Before Kim introduced embalming to South Korea, bodies were only embalmed if they needed to travel long distances. He also started the mortuary science department at Eulji.
South Korea doesn’t require an embalming or funeral director’s license, or degree to operate a funeral home; however, students from that country come over to obtain these documents to show they’re trained in the practice. South Korean students have been attending this college for a number of years. Hoyoung Jeong, 31, said he met Kim after one of Jeong’s teachers died and had to be embalmed to transport his body to Canada, where he was originally from. However, funeral directors in Korea didn’t know much about embalming. At the time, Kim was an embalmer and met with Jeong after his teacher’s funeral. Kim helped Jeong attend this college. Jeong said his teachers at this college are nice and willing to answer his questions. Mortuary science Professors José Moreno and Mary Allen-Martin have lectured to students and professors at Eulji University, Daegu University and Myongji University. They were greeted with huge banners and sightseeing. “They were very nice with us,” Moreno said. “Whenever a teacher walked into the room,
all the students stood up and bowed.” Korean mortuary science students must first enroll in English-as-a-second-language (ESL), then take basics before they enter mortuary science classes. This helps them become familiar with English, which makes it easier for them to communicate with teachers and students. To receive an embalming or funeral director’s license, students must be an apprentice in a funeral home for one year before taking an exam by the Texas Funeral Service Commission, International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and provisional licensure registration. Students may also enroll in intensive courses during the holidays that run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two to three weeks. These students come over with special permits that exempt them from paying international tuition and fees, which could cost them more than $1,400 depending on how many hours they take. Students who are interested in mortuary science can contact the department Chair Felix Gonzales, at 210-486-1135.
The Ranger
News
Oct. 15, 2010 • 11
Eryca Daniels, social work sophomore, introduces pre-law freshman Amber Buehring as she walks through the coming-out door. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight students walked through a coming-out door in observance of National ComingOut Week Monday in Loftin. Alison Wadley
Coming-Out Week opens door for students Marine shares his story at 6 p.m. today in McCreless theater. By J. Almendarez Except for the absence of alcohol, the Fiesta Room today could have passed for part of the Main Avenue strip that extends from the nightclub Pegasus to the Silver Dollar Saloon. As a techno version of Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” played, a drag queen in purple spandex splashed with multicolor sequins announced bingo numbers and people paraded their sexuality by walking through a door decorated with feathered boas. Monday, people gathered to kick off the first Coming-Out Week at San Antonio College. Today, National Coming-Out Week ends with Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, 40, who will share his experience as a gay Marine. His lecture is at 6 p.m. in the theater in McCreless Hall. English Instructor Richard Farias, co-chair of Coming-Out Week, said that the college honors minority celebrations such as Women’s
History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month, so he asked college President Robert Zeigler for permission and a budget to celebrate National Coming-Out Week. “Dr. Zeigler is great support,” Farias said. Farias wants the events this week to provide awareness about issues important to gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered people and demonstrate the diversity of the campus. He said the events “let people feel free at this campus.” Jeff Hunt, also a co-chair of National Coming Out Week, said Monday’s event was meant for people, regardless of sexual orientation “to have a good time together.” He said educational events will take place later in the week. Drag queens Tencha and Eryca Daniels acted as hosts for the event Monday. They performed comedy and dance routines while moderating bingo. As students walked through their “closet door” as a symbolic act of coming out, Tencha and Eryca promoted words of acceptance to
the crowd. “Teach him not to hate. Go in peace,” Tencha said to a couple with their baby who were watching the show. One of the people to walk through the door Monday was Jasmine Culton, a freshman studying to become a medical assistant. Culton has been openly gay since she was 12 years old. Telling her parents about her sexuality was difficult, but “I was tired of lying all the time,” Culton said. She said she has faced discrimination because of her homosexuality. When she was 13, football players at Jordan Middle School threw firecrackers at her, leaving her with a sulfuric burn on her abdomen. She also said that snickering and rude comments about her sexuality are commonplace. Of this week’s events, she said, “I think it’s the best thing that could ever happen.” The week’s offerings included documentaries, movies, and lectures. Among the lecturers was one of two female sheriffs in Texas and the only out lesbian, Dallas Sheriff Lupe Valdez.
12 • The Ranger
Peop
Theater sophomore Anthony Diaz recites a dramatic monologue called “Freak” by John Leguizamo during the Bellas Artes celebration Wednesday on a walkway at Koehler. Julysa Sosa
Aromatherapist Linda Wallen performs sports massage therapy to the arm of psychology freshman Antwain Moody Wednesday during Spa Day in Loftin. Henriette Mutegwaraba
UTSA sociology senior Philip Taele (left), pre-med freshman Lauren Lewi Ramon Fernandez exercise in the Latin-inspired fitness routine called Zum
ple
is and communications sophomore mba Oct. 8 in Loftin. Pam Ramsey
Oct. 15, 2010 • 13
Math freshman Sarah Rodriguez joins in Chalk Day Oct. 8 in the mall. Rodriguez said schools should teach students more individualism. Chalk Day, sponsored by The Ranger and the Society of Professional Journalists, is an annual observation of First Amendment freedoms during National Newspaper Week. Rennie Murrell
The 85th anniversary gala Saturday at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel raised about $70,000 for scholarships. Tickets were sold for as much as $150, of which $114 went toward scholarships. About 400 guests attended. Julysa Sosa
The Ranger
Premiere
Oct. 15, 2010 • 14
Grammy-nominee teaches the business The co-producer suggested using the artist’s musician father as his inspiration for a new album. By Aa ron Nielsen Carlos Alvarez, an adjunct in the music business program here has recently found himself in the driver’s seat of a Latin Grammy-nominated album. As co-producer of Sunny Sauceda’s latest record, “Homenaje a Mi Padre,” Alvarez had a hand in the recording session from start to finish. Latin Grammy nominations, announced Sept. 8, included “Homenaje a Mi Padre” in the Best Tejano Album category. “Sunny has been an established act since the late 1990s. It was a real pleasure to work with him,” Alvarez said. Lead singer and accordion player Sunny Sauceda has been performing since the age of 7. Before him, it was his father, Mario Alberto
Sauceda, a musician of traditional conjunto The more traditional styles of the 1950s and roots, who inspired Sunny to take the direction ’60s heavily shade this album from start to finof his latest effort. ish. It is not quite a retrospective but relies less “The main concept behind this whole on progressive Tejano. recording was a tribute to his father and the Sauceda wrote 90 percent of the songs on inspiration that the man was to him,” this release. Alvarez said. “The record is a collection of “The idea came from when I was 30 unreleased tracks cut live off having a conversation with Sunny the floor with his band in two about his upbringing, and he mendays,” Alvarez said. tioned he came from a father who Post-production was nailed taught him music lessons.” down in an additional couple of Alvarez said Sauceda’s father sessions, Alvarez said. penned several regional hits in South “What’s really exciting about Texas during the late 1960s and ’70s this release is that the Academy Sunny Sauceda and continues to inspire today. has recognized this work as well “Why not this time record an album as Tejano radio — given the in a tribute to your father and make nature of the record itself.” the style more traditional, the style you grew The Latin Grammys will be broadcast live up playing initially?” Alvarez said he asked by Univision Nov. 11 from the Mandalay Bay in Sauceda. Las Vegas. The musician decided to take Alvarez’s sugFor more information, log on to sunnygestion and run with it. sauceda.com.
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Today SAC Event: Black Student Alliance canned food drive to benefit the SAC food pantry for U.N. World Food Day. Donations accepted until 4 p.m. in Room 624 of Moody. Call 210-486-0593. SAC Music: Live in Loftin music series “The Show” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: San Antonio Education Partnership 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Room 652 of Moody. Continues Fridays. Call 210486-0121. SAC Meeting: Student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at noon in Room 207 of Loftin. Continues Fridays. E-mail sac.spj@gmail.com. SAC Event: Video gaming 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Cyber Cafe in Loftin. Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Nontraditional Students Club at 1:30 p.m. at the empowerment center, 703 Howard. Call 210-486-0455. PAC Event: Horticulture Club plant sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the greenhouse next to the tennis courts. Call 210-486-3073. SAC Lecture: Carmen Tafolla performance and master class for aspiring writers 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in theater in McCreless. Call 210-486-0882.
Calendar Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Call: 210458-7822. Lecture: “Privy to Investigation: Archaeology of Outhouse Pits and Artifacts Monday from the Alamodome Project” 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. SAC Transfer: University of Incarnate Durango. Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Call Word from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the first 210-458-7822. floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Wednesday SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Room 111 of chemistry and geology. SAC Transfer: Call 210-486-0063. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 SAC Event: Foosball 1:30 p.m. in game a.m. on the first area of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club at 3 p.m. in Room 100 of Gonzales. Continues SAC Event: Mondays. Call 210-486-0125. Octoberfest 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. 210-486-0126 SAC Meeting: Society of MexicanAmerican Engineers and Scientists at 3:30 SAC Meeting: Society for the p.m. in the MESA study center in Room Advancement of Chicanos and Native 204 of Chance. Continues Mondays. Call Americans in Science at 3 p.m. in the MESA 210-486-1309. study center in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-0342. SAC Event: ”Rockband” video game 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian 210-486-0125. Association at 3 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Call 210-486-0673. Tuesday Thursday SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on the SAC Transfer: University of Incarnate first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. Word 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864. SAC Transfer: Texas Lutheran University 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call SAC Lecture: “Drug and Alcohol 210-486-0864. Prevention” with Vickie Adams from S.A. Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse 11 SAC Worship: Campus Crusade for Christ a.m.-noon in the Craft Room of Loftin. Call at 1:30 p.m. in Room 119 of chemistry 210-486-0222. and geology. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210486-1233. Oct. 22
SAC Meeting: Society of Women in SAC Event: Fiesta Mexicana ballet folk- Engineering at noon in the MESA study lorico performance at 11 a.m. in the mall, center in Room 204 of Chance. Continues 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister, Tuesdays. Call 210-486-1309. and dance workshop 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Candler dance studio. $2 admission to SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy Program workshop, free for SAC students, faculty and Peers 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. in Room 128 of staff with ID. Call 210-486-0125. Gonzales. Call 210-486-0665.
Oct. 25 SAC Event: Oxymorons comedy troupe 11 a.m.-noon in the cafeteria in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. Oct. 25 Lecture: Trinity’s DeCoursey Lecture Series presentation of “Biodiversity and the Future of Life” with Pulitzer Prize recipient Edward O. Wilson at 7:30 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium, One Trinity Place. Call 210-999-8201. Oct. 27 SAC Event: Health screenings sponsored by the San Antonio Wellness Committee and performed by Affordable Lab from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. in Room 126 of Candler. Appointments required. Call 210-588-8779. Oct. 28 SAC Music: “Nightmare on 85th Street,” fundraiser for music scholarship at 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. $7 adults, $5 students. Call 210-486-0255. Oct. 29 SAC Event: “Women in Policing” with San Antonio Police Department recruiting from 9 a.m.-noon in Loftin. Call 210-486-0422.
SAC Event: 3-on-3 basketball 1 p.m.-4 SAC Event: “Twilight Eclipse” outdoor p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. 210-486-0125. movie sponsored by student life 7:30 p.m.10:30 p.m. in the mall of Loftin. Call 210486-0125. SAC Event: Job Fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0135.
Oct. 23 SAC Music: Faculty recital with pianist Mark Alexander and tubaist Dr. Janet Tracy SAC Event: PC on Call clinic 9 a.m.-3 Lecture: “Living Forever in Ancient Egypt” at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. p.m. at Port of San Antonio, 312 Clarence 1:30 p.m. at San Antonio Museum of Art. Call 210-486-0255. Tinker. Call 210-486-3412. Saturday
Oct. 15, 2010 • 15
Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NVC: Northwest Vista College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College
News
16 • Oct. 15, 2010
The Ranger
TAMUSA offers communications transfer opportunities By Aaron Nielsen
Pulitzer Prize-winning online journalist Jon Donley speaks Oct. 4 to journalism students from this college and TAMUSA. Tyler K. Cleveland
Students with an interest in pursuing a career in journalism and obtaining a four-year bachelor’s degree at a public university don’t have to leave town anymore. Texas A&M-San Antonio is offering a B.A.A.S. or Bachelor of Applied Science degree. San Antonio College and TAMUSA are working to create a communications degree plan in which students can enroll in San Antonio College for the first two years and continue at TAMUSA. “We don’t replicate SAC but rather provide a path to enable students to broaden their portfolio of work,” said Jenny Moore, director of student media and lecturer in communications at Texas A&M University at San Antonio. Students of the radio-television-film program at San Antonio College also are encouraged to take advantage of the transfer bonus TAMUSA offers. “Core curriculum theory courses in law
and ethics are important for young journalists as well as other electives offered through our program, such as English, business and psychology. We have a strong division in arts and sciences,” Moore said. As a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin in writing and technology, Moore’s own background in journalism started in small campus papers followed by a stint with Texas Monthly.com in web production before going into educational publishing. Although the program remains in its infancy, the main objective is to allow even hours of transfer credit. Marianne Odom, chair of media communications here, said, “We are pleased to see a local public institution offer this opportunity for San Antonio College students.” Private universities such as Our Lady of the Lake and Incarnate Word offer programs but with a much higher price tag. For more information, call Moore at 210932-6282 or visit www.tamusa.tamus.edu.
The Ranger
News
Oct.15, 2010 • 17
Flex 2 is Take 2 for first-generation student Potential theater major volunteers backstage as he waits for financial aid. By Ja c ob Belt ra n Monday not only marks the start of Flex 2 courses, but the second attempt of Erick Salas, an entering first-generation college student, to enroll here. Salas, 17, was forced to resort to nine hours in Flex 2 courses instead of the 18 hours he was originally registered for in the 16-week fall semester. Salas was told he would not be able to take regular fall courses because financial aid did not cover his courses because he had not turned in his auditing forms. “I was told there was nothing I could do except register for courses in the spring,” he said. “I resolved to find out what else I could do, and so I registered for flex courses.” In September, he visited each department to see what flex courses were available. Salas completed the FAFSA in June but didn’t know about the auditing process until the first day of courses Aug. 23. “I was just trying to do the standard process,” Salas said. “But then, they throw in auditing, which was just as confusing.” Salas said he had a difficult time registering for courses and filling out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, because he and his parents are from Mexico. Salas and his parents migrated to the United States when he was 9 years old, just eight years ago. Salas was one of the 10 percent of students selected at random for auditing by the federal government.
Theater freshman Erick Salas puts together a scenery prop in Theater Practicum 1 taught by Debra Coates, technical director for productions, Wednesday in McAllister. Jacob Beltran After completing the auditing forms on Aug. 25, Salas was told it would be six weeks until he was approved for financial aid. Monday marked 6 1/2 weeks since Salas submitted his forms. The office of student financial services told Salas Monday that it would be eight weeks instead of six from the time he submitted his FAFSA until he is approved for financial aid because of a system error. The payment date for Flex 2 courses is Monday. “I might not even be able to keep the flex classes I’ve signed up for,” Salas said. He was forced to attend group advising twice because ACES did not process his registration the first time. Because Salas was prevented from taking courses in the fall semester, he took a full-time
job at La Madeleine French Café to pay rent. Salas was at this college Monday as a volunteer to remove lighting fixtures in the theater in McCreless Hall. “I really want to be in theater,” Salas said. “I want to be more into the acting part of theater, and I also wanted to get familiarized with the technical part of theater.” Salas was also volunteering Wednesday in DRAM 1120, Theater Practicum 1, putting together stage props backstage in McAllister Fine Arts Center. Salas said he wants to double major in theater and languages because knowledge of languages can give a better understanding of characters and how they’re played. “I’m definitely going to be here in the spring,” Salas said. “I’m going to be the first one to apply.”
18 • Oct. 15, 2010
News
The Ranger
Shadow of undocumented entry looms By Joshua Fechter As an undocumented student, architecture freshman José Sierra said he does not feel safe. “You never know what’s going to happen the next day. You feel like an outcast, like you’re living but not really living,” he said. “You don’t feel equal; you feel like something’s missing.” On Nov. 7, 2004, the day before his 13th birthday, Sierra crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with his uncle Pepe Huerta and younger sister Lupita Sierra. José Sierra comes from Jacona, a small city of 53,860 people in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. His parents, Ana and Mario Sierra, separated after Lupita’s birth when Ana decided Mario was acting irresponsibly and the family would be better off without him. To start building a new life for herself and her children, she came to the United States with her boyfriend, Joaquin, who was becoming a citizen at the time. Ana was 24 years old when she left Jacona and her three children in the care of their grandmother. When she arrived in San Antonio, she earned a living cleaning houses and continues to do so. Every week or two, Ana sent a check for about 1,200 pesos, then equivalent to about $100, to her family in Jacona and spoke to her children by phone every weekend. José said he would cry sometimes, but his grandmother would tell him not to. “She would say, ‘She did it for you guys,’” he said. Her elder son, Victor Sierra, left for the United States when José was 9, and in 2004, Ana asked her brother Pepe to take José and Lupita to Piedras Negras, a border town across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass. José said they packed multiple changes of clothes and took a bus to Piedras Negras. Already, José felt out of place in
the more urban area. “The streets were better, the buildings were better. It was a totally strange place. I didn’t know what was going to happen.” A man picked them up from the bus station and brought them to a house with an apartment in the back where they spent the night. The next morning before dawn, they were picked up in a van by a coyote, a person who smuggles illegal immigrants over the border. He told them to keep just the clothes they wore and an extra pair of shoes. The van was full of other people who planned to cross the border with them. They were driven to a store where they bought chips, bread, cheese and water and then were dropped off in an area covered in trees. The travelers waited until dawn, then set out through the trees and dry grass. In the afternoon, they ate and slept. When they awoke at 8 p.m., they pressed on. When they came to the Rio Grande, José mounted Pepe’s shoulders and stood as his uncle waded across. Lupita sat on the shoulders of another man in the caravan. After they crossed the river, the group marched through mud and weeds. Around midnight, they reached a bamboo thicket and found the ground was covered in dead bamboo leaves that crunched underfoot. This forced the group to crawl slowly through the bamboo, making as little noise as possible. They came to a barbwire fence where a man stood on guard and waited for about an hour and a half until the man went off duty. After another three or four hours, they crossed the border fence. By this time, José shivered from the early November cold and his soaked shoes. To shield José and Lupita from the cold while they slept, Pepe cut
holes in bags he had with him and gave them to the children. They slept for a few hours and resumed their journey at 8 the next morning. As they walked, the group noticed fresh tire marks in the dirt belonging to border patrol trucks. To prevent leaving tracks of their own, the group moved from bush to bush on grass and rocks. At around 4 p.m., they came to a large bush where they changed out of their wet shoes from the night before. The group walked for another three or four hours, rested in the dirt and finished the rest of their food. Finally, they came to a road and the coyote pulled out a cell phone. He made a call and told someone on the other end to pick the group up. They waited until sundown for a man in another van. Pepe sat in the passenger seat while José sat underneath the dashboard, clutching his uncle’s legs, listening to the sound of the road and watching lights pass through the cabin. After a couple of hours, the van came to a halt in front of a WalMart in San Antonio. There stood Ana Sierra, her eyes wet with tears of joy. Everyone hugged and cried. “It was sad in a way, but happy at the same time,” José Sierra said. The next day was José’s birthday, which gave the occasion even greater significance. “It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever gotten,” he said. Ana Sierra paid the coyote and took her family into the store to buy them new clothes. Then she took them to the house where she lived with her boyfriend and his son. The next day she registered them for school. José Sierra said his first day at East Central Heritage Middle School in San Antonio was radically different from his experience in Mexico. “It was like a dream. It was like going to university,” he said. He noticed a variety of cul-
tures represented in the school’s population. “There were people from China, African-Americans. It wasn’t like Mexico,” he said. Since he did not know English when he first started school, José Sierra said he found it difficult to communicate. However, he made friends with other Spanish-speaking students in his English-as-a-secondlanguage class. He also learned by listening to music and watching television in English. José Sierra did not start actually speaking English until a few months after he started school, which proved to be an odd experience. “Sometimes, I couldn’t understand myself,” he said. During his freshman year, his family moved to Bakersfield for a year where he worked picking and cutting grapes. Back in San Antonio, he continued his high school career at Clark but still struggled with English so much it affected his performance. “I had a hard time understanding questions in English. English was always part of why I didn’t do good in school,” he said. Around his junior year, life began to normalize for José: He started running track, hanging out with friends and working as a bus boy. “It was as if I had never moved from Mexico,” he said. That year, he discovered a love of mathematics; his struggles with English prevented him from fully understanding it in the past, but as he worked, he began to comprehend it. “If you put in the work, you’re going to get it,” he said. In an art class his senior year, he also rediscovered his love of drawing. Only two people knew of his undocumented status: a teacher his brother Victor had informed and José’s cross-country coach. José Sierra was not sure if he was going to go to college because he did not know how to pay for it.
News
The Ranger He made up his mind when representatives from Northwest Vista College visited Clark. A college representative gave him a state number, a number for international students who do not have a Social Security number so they may register for classes. After graduation from Clark in spring 2010, he enrolled at this college part-time. He does not receive any financial aid or scholarships and pays for his education out-of-pocket with earnings from his job at a car wash. However, José does benefit from Texas HB 1403, which allows students who are not permanent residents of the U.S., documented or otherwise, but have lived in Texas for at least three years before graduating from a Texas high school or receiving the equivalent of a high school diploma in Texas to qualify for in-state tuition. Still, José and his mother live paycheck-to-paycheck. In September, José attended Students United for the DREAM Act’s seminar about the legislation to find out how he can get help paying for school. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act is legislation that would grant certain undocumented students six years of conditional citizenship. For more information on the bill, log on to http://dreamact.info. The DREAM Act was attached as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011. However, on Sept. 22, it failed 56-43. U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., reintroduced the legislation as a stand-alone bill but he told the Washington Independent he does not expect it to pass until a lameduck congressional session after the Nov. 2 election. “All my hope is in the passage of the DREAM Act,” he said. President Alina Cortes of Students United for the DREAM Act said the organization aims to help undocumented students
Oct. 15, 2010 • 19
through other means. “We want to educate them, direct them and try to keep them in school,” she said. José wants to become an architect because it uses his skills in mathematics and drawing. “It just makes sense for me to become an architect,” he said. José said there are people in the United States who take what they have for granted. “There are people I run into here that are committing crimes, doing drugs, partying too much and not really appreciating what this country has given to them,” he said. Ultimately, José is grateful to his mother and wants to take full advantage of the opportunity she gave him by bringing him to this country. Still the fear of discovery stays with him. He was reminded in September when his sister’s boyfriend was deported after an arrest. “I don’t want that to happen to me,” José said. He has not had any trouble with the authorities and wants to keep it that way.
Nicole Jacinta Gaskin-Paulsen
The Ranger
20 • Oct. 15, 2010
Soccer player moves from coach to co-captain His childhood struggle against asthma was fought with soccer. By Abiel Rodriguez Like many students this semester, Rodney Cardenas has many titles. He’s a devoted father, a kinesiology major and a co-captain for this college’s soccer team. About 50 people tried out for the team this fall, and 24 earned a spot. The tryouts included exercises like a 40-yard dash and running the 110-yard field 26 times. Cardenas timed the fastest for the 40-yard dash. What makes the feat outstanding is that he was competing against students who were young
enough to be his children. “It keeps them out of trouble,” At age 44, Cardenas has spent a Cardenas said. lifetime proving himself. He joined Army and Air Force Cardenas credits his relation- soccer teams and division teams ship with soccer for helping him and played tournaments for teams since he was a of players older child. than 30 and 40, At age 7, his and he won four doctors diagstate cups and The soccer team plays at nosed asthma a most valuable 3 p.m. today on the fields at and told him he player award as 5103 David Edwards St. The game is free and open to the couldn’t play. a goalie. public. Cardenas’ B e s i d e s dad helped him being a player, fight the illness by placing him he refereed games at YMCA, is a in sports and toughening up his nationally certified trainer and lungs. even coached this college’s soccer Cardenas said he was able to team two years ago. beat asthma by staying active and Cardenas stopped coaching did it without even using an inhaler. when his two daughters started Today, he makes sure to keep college to focus on providing for his kids healthy and active with them financially. sports. Coach Richard Ramirez was
Game Day
impressed with Cardenas’ abilities and decided to make him one of the team’s co-captains, a decision he learned of on the drive back from the team’s second game against St. Mary’s University. He plays alongside students who used to think he was 30. Although there is an age gap between Cardenas and the rest of the players, communication between them is no obstacle. “They show me respect because I’m older and more experienced,” Cardenas said. “I give respect back also.” He said he and the rest of the players get along well and teach each other moves and tactics that are useful on the field. For more information, call the office of student life at 210-4860125.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
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shares books and databases with its sister colleges. Aguero said he did not know if it was realistic. “Do you expect to reach this goal?” DeArmond asked. “Yes,” Aguero said. DeArmond said this college’s library has already cut its paper subscription and books. “We don’t even have a copy of the San Antonio Express-News.” She said major cuts could be a detriment; databases are shared. Aguero suggested charging community members who use the library. DeArmond said it would not be possible to charge the public because anyone who has a library card could ask for a Tex Share card to access this campus’s library. The only way to change this policy is to change the policy of the San Antonio Public Library. In addition, Tex Share provides valuable discounts to the library, she said.
The Ranger
Pulse
Oct. 15, 2010 • 21
Terris Tiller stands in front of China’s national stadium called the Bird’s Nest in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics. Tiller’s primary focus with the Olympic training center is to build a strong foundation for success for hopeful athletes. Courtesy photo
Olympians endure training, low pay, fan dilemmas By Megan Mares In 2000, Terris Tiller was a track star at Trinity University. Ten years later, he relocated to Colorado Springs, Colo., where as a multimedia coordinator for the Olympic training center, he advocates a strong future for young, aspiring Olympians. Tiller will address “The Olympic Movement and the Modern World” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 111 of Coates University Center at Trinity University. Admission is free. Part of Tiller’s message is the importance of the Olympic Games to the United States as a nation, where the display of triumph and supremacy in competitive sports are often celebrated. “While U.S. culture often celebrates victory and dominance in sports, the Olympic Movement truly honors the ideals of peace, artistry, friendship and participation through the vehicle of international sport,” Tiller said. Jacob Tingle, director of the sports management program at Trinity University, said, “Every four years, we all gather around our TVs. It brings us together like maybe other sports can’t.”
Tiller speaks about behind-the scenes of training and becoming one of the top athletes in the world. “Athletes don’t wake up and just make an Olympic team; there is a lot of work that goes into becoming an Olympian,” Tiller said. “Most athletes barely make a livable wage. Only a handful of athletes make more than a modest living. And even then, those athletes still have salaries that won’t match what athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB and other pro sports make.” Despite accolades, he said the Olympic movement in the United States functions on a much smaller level, financially, compared to professional sports or even other international organizing committees. Tiller described one of his “craziest moments,” when gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps arrived in Beijing for the Olympics in 2008, the U.S. Olympic athletes were mobbed by media and fans. Tiller and other members of the Olympic Training Center had a plan to get Phelps into the Olympic Village, but the plan quickly fell apart under the onslaught of fans. “Security turned into groupies, and began hounding Phelps for autographs and pictures,”
Michael Phelps is surrounded by relatives, spectators, and photographers after the medal ceremony for the 4-by-100-meter relay final at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Terris Tiller said he had to help Phelps escape photographers and fans in Beijing. AccuNet/AP Tiller said. Finally, Tiller had to serve as Phelps’ bodyguard for a few minutes to push people away. Someone took Phelps’ bags and pulled him through an emergency staff exit away from the crowds. Tiller and his co-workers thought they had a good chance to sneak Phelps past the media and bolted for the bus. “The media mob was so busy looking for him to come out the normal exit, (they)
literally walked right behind him onto the Village bus.” Tiller said, “The Olympics is one of the few times athletes and fans can truly come together for the love of sport and country without it being overly commercial. “While commercialism is always going to be a hot topic when it comes to the Olympic Games, once competition begins, people really unite and love for their country really comes out.”
22 • Oct. 15, 2010
Editorial
The Ranger
Juan Carlos Campos
Cut nonrevenue expenses first This week, Dr. Robert Aguero, vice chancellor for academic success, demonstrated just how out of touch district adminstrators have become. He visited Faculty Senate Wednesday — his third attempt. He told librarians to change a philosophy developed in ancient Greece and Alexandria. He suggested department chairs could teach more if administrators were installed in each department. He seemed to have only a passing understanding of the concept of academic freedom. No wonder, he hasn’t seen the inside of a classroom since 1991. In the classroom, by the way, faculty can’t print handouts, transferring more expense to students. Meanwhile, a colorful and costly stream of newsletters, promotional material and Powerpoint printouts flows from district offices. All that paper hasn’t seemed to do anything for the 300
Aguero at Faculty Senate Jenny Robles
individual categories of problems Dr. Thomas Cleary’s staff has identified in registration this fall. Recently, the chancellor referred to students as a “cost” item. A quick civics lesson: In Texas, colleges are funded by state appropriations based on contact hours — with students — and raised in sales taxes paid by students; tuition and fees collected from each student — regardless of what services they take advantage of while enrolled; and ad valorem taxes assessed on every property owner in Bexar County.
Dr. Bruce Leslie had the temerity to claim in a forum at San Antonio College two years ago that tax revenue belonged to district. Basically, his cut of the pie. Where he picked up that idea remains a mystery. Taxpayers likely don’t have the same impression. The colleges exist and funding systems are in place for the benefit of students — the customers, we hear repeatedly. The nonrevenue stream in the mix, accounting for an ever-growing portion of district expense, is district personnel. Created to support college operations, the district administration has burgeoned out of control, particularly during the tenure of this chancellor. So before the chancellor’s dirty dozen cut more from student services and further dilute full-time faculty — the backbone of the colleges — maybe they should be looking a little closer to home.
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 Assistants 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. 15, 2010 • 23 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.
24 • Oct. 15, 2010
The Ranger
Premiere
Competitions for scholarships seek designs President offers $500 award for college holiday card. By Jennifer M. Ytuarte
The SACOLLUSA orchestra directed by music Chair Mark R. Denison performs Wednesday in McAllister.
D.L. Gonzalez
Concert series provides venue for performance By Stefania Malacrida After the faculty’s Halloween concert Oct. 28, the music department’s student ensembles will return to the stage of McAllister Fine Arts Center for the final concerts of the semester. The precise programs for each concert are still to be announced. All the music department concerts are free except the Halloween scholarship fundraiser, which costs $7. Music Chair Mark Denison also directs the jazz ensemble that opened the music department midterm concerts Sept. 30. In front of the band, wand in hand and back to the public, stood Denison directing the lively rhythm of boogie-woogie. In the audience, about 500 spectators clapped while on the stage, a crowd of students on glittering instruments performed Glenn Miller’s themes and other well-known melodies such as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” “The jazz ensemble focuses on classics of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s and is the only band where the players need to have a basic music knowledge,” he said. Other than this, Denison
stressed, “People can be new beginners and join one of our bands. Few institutions do that.” This openness fulfills the philosophy of a community college, he explained. The priority is to encourage people to join a cultural program. The idea is that education is fun and that it is never too late for it. “There are no age requirements to be part of a band,” Denison said. “Some of the members are in their 30s. They used to play an instrument in high school and now are joining our bands through the continuing education programs,” Denison said. “Another unique feature of the ensembles is that they are exclusively made of students,” he said. It is not necessary to be a music student. All ensembles are open to any major. Along with the jazz band, the music department offers many other possibilities for performance, such as choir, orchestra, brass, wind and guitar ensembles. The concert season has included a Renaissance choir with pieces by Donato, Vecchi, Holborne, and Passereau. Professor Cindy Sanchez directed. For information, visit www. alamo.edu/sac/music.
Students who submit an entry before 5 p.m. Oct. 15 for the Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Nu chapter’s T-shirt design competition will have a chance to win $100. Entries must incorporate Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Nu Chapter, or their Greek letters into a final 12-by-14-inch design. All artwork must be original. Any medium may be used as long as the final PDF submission is suitable for silk screening onto a white T-shirt. “This is our first time doing this,” Gordon West, merchandising officer, said. “We want to see it become an annual competition.” E-mail a design and a completed entry form to gwest5@alamo.edu or jfocht-hansen@alamo.edu. For more information and an official entry form, call Gordon West at 817875-1823 or Jane FochtHansen at 210-486-0668. Another design comThe 2009 winning holiday card design petition opportunity offers was created by fine arts sophomore a chance to spread the Monica Monzon. holiday spirit. The college president’s annual holiday card competition is used as the invitation to the annual holiday luncheon. The deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesday. The winning entrant receives a $500 scholarship for the 2010-11 academic year. Last year, sophomore Monica Monzon’s swirled Christmas tree became the face of the invitation to President Robert Zeigler’s annual holiday luncheon for employees and retirees. Entries may be executed in any medium but should be cameraready for offset printing. Computer-generated entries need to be saved to CD with all fonts, links and attachments. For judging, the student must display a mounted color copy of the original artwork along with a completed entry form. The final print size should be proportionally sized to 5-by-7 inches. Submit entries to the president’s office in Room 323 of Fletcher Administration Center. For more information, call 210-486-0956.