The Ranger April 15, 2013

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Serving San Antonio College since 1926

A forum of free voices

Volume 87 Issue 18 • April 15, 2013

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

Heads up

HR seeks cuts to tuition assistance program

By Alma Linda Manzanares

amanzanares6@student.alamo.edu

File FAFSA by May 1 May 1 is the deadline for guaranteed processing of FAFSAs for fall.

To complete an online application, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Assistance is available in the student financial services office, Room 101 of Fletcher Administration Center 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m.7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

For more information, call the office at 210-486-0200.

Rebecca Salinas

/readtheranger

Cuts to the Employee Tuition Assistance Program, or ETAP, for fall are being considered and expected to go before the Alamo College’s board of trustees in May.

Linda Boyer-Owens, associate vice chancellor of human resources and organizational development, said the program recommendations are part of a human resources audit to improve the efficiency and cost of the program.

She could not provide amounts for how much the program costs or projected savings from the cuts by press time.

The program, detailed under Procedure D.6.1.3 Educational Assistance, was approved April 28,

2009, and amended Jan. 13, 2010.

Boyer-Owens said a problem with the program was employees or their dependents withdrawing from or not successfully completing a course.

See ETAP, Page 14

Friday drop deadline Friday is the last day to drop a class in the 16-week semester.

Students enrolled in Spring Start 2 have until April 25 to decide and the last day to drop for Spring Flex 2 classes is May 3.

Students must go to the professor or chair to drop a class.

Although course drops do not affect GPA, they do affect financial aid and academic progress.

They can also lead to extra tuition expense to repeat a course.

Three-peat tuition requires paying three times the cost of the in-district rate the third time a student attempts a course.

The six-drop rule prevents students from dropping more than six classes over the course of a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, call 210486-0333.

Alma Linda Manzanares

Orientation stories in The Ranger Online For help in finding your way around college, read stories on Pages 3-5.

Although this is the last print issue of the spring, The Ranger Online will continue to post breaking news, slideshows and video.

The first print issue of the fall semester is Sept. 13.

Alma Linda Manzanares

Dean, director hire announcements soon President Robert Zeigler said he plans to announce two hires. He said to expect an announcement regarding student life Tuesday, but offered no date for dean of performance excellence.

Dean duties include oversight of the SACS accreditation process and developing student learning outcomes. It pays $64,811-103,748.

The director of student life supervises activities and serves clubs. It pays $49,242-76,373.

Faith Duarte

Psychology sophomore Mariana Sanchez, distinguished graduate of the dance program, leads an April 4 rehearsal for a flash mob on the west side of Moody. The mob, set for 1 p.m. Tuesday in the mall, is Sanchez’s service project for the distinguished graduate program. Faith Duarte

What’s an associate degree? Council Although underestimated, an associate degree leads to middle-class.

really sure,” for people who do not know what they want to be.

There is a personality quiz in the “I’m not really sure,” category, there

By Jennifer Luna is a list of occupations in the “I’ll jluna217@student.alamo.edu know when I see it,” category and Community colleges are the there is a search box for the “I want “gateways” to higher education and to be a …” category. can help create a stronger middle Using the search box and typing class for Americans. in the jobs that support this city’s According to thewhitehouse.gov economy, was the starting point of the Obama Administration invested the data collected. $8 million in community colleges to My next move website was partner with busidesigned to assist nesses to train people who are For most students, employers in high seeking careers. it’s a milestone. For demand and high For each occusome of the students, pation provided, growth areas. they will be the On cityinfo. there is a list of first in their family com, the econoexpectations and my for this city is criteria someto graduate from a based on governone would need college. ment jobs, tourRosa Maria Gonzalez, to follow. There ism, health care Counselor is also a section jobs, financial providing the service jobs and kind of education manufacturing jobs. someone would need for each career According to mynextmove.org in choice. The career options range this city, a student with an associfrom waiters to company CEOs. ate degree can automatically be in There is a section that shows the middle class starting at a salwhether the job has growth in each ary of about $47,300 a year, which of the 50 states. is $22.72 hourly, working as a regA career choice that is labeled as istered nurse. This job usually asks a bright outlook, means that career for an associate or bachelor’s degree. has growth, a career choice with an On mynextmove.org there are average outlook, means a career has three categories on the site, “I want fair growth, and a career choice with to be a…” for people who know what a low outlook means there are not they want to be, “I’ll know when I see many opportunities for that field. it,” for people who have an idea of The outlook that is provided on the what they want to be, and “I’m not site is national outlooks and can vary

’’

by state.

There is also an approximate salary rate per year for each career choice.

Manufacturing engineering pays an average of about $102,850 a year, 42.26 hourly in this state. To be in this field, an associate or a bachelor’s degree is required. This field has an average outlook in Texas. No information was provided for the average salary paid in the city.

Property real estate and community associate managers acquire some college or associate degree.

In this city, the occupation pays approximately $46,000 a year, which is $22.11 an hour and has an average outlook.

Career and technical education teachers for a middle school acquire between some college and a bachelors degree, this job has an average outlook of opportunities.

In this city, this job pays approximately $54,500 an hourly wage was not provided.

Val Calvert, department chair for business administration, said 100 percent of the students who graduate get a job in their field of study or transfer to four-year universities.

Calvert said business administration is the second largest department on this campus. She said there are close to 300 graduates this semester in the department.

The students getting jobs in the field varies, students can find jobs

See ASSOCIATE, Page 4

mulls F-T adjunct cuts

President wants to limit full-time adjuncts to 10-12 a year.

By Faith Duarte

fduarte3@student.alamo.edu

As a result of decreases in state funding and contact hours, the college must accommodate a $2.4 million budget cut for the fall and cut back on full-time adjuncts, President Robert Zeigler said during a College Council meeting Tuesday in Room 120 of visual arts.

Zeigler said that although the head count remained steady from fall to spring, contact hours have decreased this semester.

“There are more opportunities available for students to work, so students are working more and going to school less,” he said.

Zeigler said the growth of the Eagle Ford Shale is a possible factor for losing contact hours because “it gives people an opportunity to work and make a lot of money.”

About 60 full-time adjuncts work at the college, Zeigler said.

“In order for us to make the budget, we have got to significantly reduce full-time adjuncts, period,” he said.

See COUNCIL, Page 4

2 • April 15, 2013

People

www.theranger.org/people

Criminal justice sophomore Michael Ordinario punches liberal arts freshman Juan Villanueva as part of training Tuesday in Gym 2 of Candler. The SAC boxing team will have an Olympic-style boxing event, featuring 24 boxers in an officially sanctioned boxing match, 11 a.m.-noon Friday in the mall. Monica Correa

Officer Javier Arguello, recruiter for the San Antonio Police Department, explains the requirements and paperwork needed to apply for a position in the department during a criminal justice Job Fair in Room 218 of the nursing complex. Monica Correa

For the student exhibition, art Professors Eduardo Rodriguez and Tom Willome prepare to hang a student’s wood panels for the student exhibition Wednesday in visual arts. The exhibition opens April 25 and continues through the fall. Monica Correa

Architecture freshman Abelardo Ramos uses a 90-degree ruler to measure and mark his model before cutting Wednesday in Room 249 of Chance. Ramos’ assignment was to create spaces around the model. Vincent Reyna

Cardiovascular sophomore Brenda Soliz studies her anatomy worksheets while she riding the shuttle back to Playland Park, 2222 N. Alamo, Wednesday. She said she enjoys the service because riding the shuttle has eased her parking headaches. Liberal arts freshman

Megan Rose and history sophomore Lucas Potts also enjoy the service the shuttle provides. The shuttle runs 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Shuttles drop off commuters at the intersection of Lewis and West Dewey. Stephanie Dix

Orientation

www.theranger.org/news

April 15, 2013 • 3

SLAC steers students toward success Final exam schedule Students in college face a lot of pressure. Between classes and personal lives, studying can get tricky.

In the student learning assistance center, or SLAC Lab, students can manage their studies in a quiet atmosphere.

Located in Room 707 of Moody Learning Center, it provides a number of services that students can use.

Tutors can help guide students in a variety of subjects including: accounting, astronomy, biology, business management, English, English as a Second Language, government, history, physics, psychology, reading, sociology, and Spanish.

Tutors are a mix of work-study students and part-time staff.

There is a computer lab where students can surf the Internet or work on class assignments.

The lab features 68 computers where students can work.

Students also can take make-up tests at SLAC on 36 computers designated for test proctoring. Instructors must reserve the testing stations.

“Students can only take make-up tests,” office supervisor Deborah Harrison said.

All services offered at the SLAC lab are free of charge, except for printing, which requires a GoPrint card or GoPrint online account.

Prints cost 10 cents for black and white and 50 cents for color copies.

Students can even come in to sit and relax “as long as they are not disruptive,” Harrison said.

Drinks are allowed in the lab but they have to be in a bottle with a secure lid. Food is not allowed.

SLAC computer services are open 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Test proctoring services are open 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. MondayThursday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Saturday.

For more information, call 210-486-0165 or email sacslac@alamo.edu.

Spring/Start 2/Flex 2

13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May Monday

MWF and MW

Tuesday TR

Wednesday

MWF and MW

Thursday TR

Friday

MWF

7 a.m.

10 a.m. noon 1 p.m.

3:50 p.m.

8 a.m.

10:50 a.m.

1 p.m.

1:40 p.m.

8 a.m.

11 a.m.

2 p.m.

2:25 p.m.

6:30 a.m.

9:25 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

9 a.m. noon

exam time exam time exam time exam time exam time

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

class time class time class time class time class time

By Michael Meinen

7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. noon-2:30 p.m.

1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

3:50 p.m.-6:20 p.m.

8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

10:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m.

1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m.

1:40 p.m.-4:10 p.m.

8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

2 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

2:25 p.m.-4:55 p.m.

6:30 a.m.-9 a.m.

9:25 a.m.-11:55 p.m.

12:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

3:05 p.m.-5:35 p.m.

9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. noon-2:30 p.m.

Final Exams for evening and weekend classes are given during class hours.

Maymester

7 July 10 July 11 July 31 Aug 1 Aug 10 Aug 10 June Friday

MTWRF

Exam times are scheduled by the instructor.

MTWR

Thursday

MTWR

7 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

1:30 a.m.

exam time exam time

Wednesday

class time class time

Summer 1, 5 weeks 7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

1:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Summer 1, 8 weeks Wednesday

By Michael Meinen sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Students enrolled in math may require a calculator, numerous textbooks, computer, protractors, rulers and tutoring services.

It starts to add up. That’s where Math Space Labs in McCreless Hall come in. Two labs are accessible to students struggling with a mathematical dilemma.

One lab in Room 121 is for students in MATH 0300-MATH 0303, and one in Room 124 is for college-level math students.

Tutors are graduate students and students enrolled in this college. There are three tutors in the morning, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and two tutors in the afternoon and evening.

Appointments are not necessary for tutors. Tutors “float” around the lab ready to help.

There are 17 tables available for individuals or groups.

The computer lab in Room 119 has 23 computers allowing students to run math programs.

Students cannot surf the Internet or access Facebook.

The college-level lab for MATH 1314-MATH 2320 offers six tables, 20 computers and two

study rooms.

Both labs are for math only, but students can come in and study if they are not disruptive, Coordinator Steve Ochoa said.

Ochoa said “grades seem to improve” when students use the labs. “Students get an explanation of math in the classroom, but our tutors help guide them.”

Ochoa said students can take make-up tests and receive handout materials that will help them with homework and future assignments.

He said any student needing special equipment should first contact disability support services on the first floor of Moody Learning Center before visiting the math lab.

DSS will be able to transport any equipment needed any of the math labs.

Hours for the developmental math lab are 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday.

Hours for the college-level math lab are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday.

For more information, call 210-486-0240.

Writing Center helps all would-be writers

By Michael Meinen sac-ranger@alamo.edu

For some students, writing seems like an impossible task. Students don’t have to stare at a blank page anymore. The college writing center can help students overcome the challenge of writing.

The college writing center, in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall, features tutoring, 25 open computers, workshops and resource texts.

“We are here to meet the needs of any college student in any class,” Director Jane Focht-Hansen said.

The center offers help in understanding assignments, generating ideas, creating a thesis, organizing a paper, identifying and correcting grammar errors and learning proofreading techniques.

Coordinator Santo Pandazzo said, “Writing is something you have to do whether in school or in life.” The writing center is open to students and the public, and tutors are a mix of students and staff.

“Students can come in to chill out as long as they are not disruptive,” Focht-Hansen said. Food and drinks are allowed in the center but there is a strict “you spill, you clean” policy.

The writing center can accommodate students who register at disabled student services on the first floor of Moody.

The most important thing for students to do when it comes to writing is “to take the time to do it,” Focht-Hansen said.

The writing center is open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 210-486-1433.

Thursday TR

Exam times are scheduled by the instructor.

Summer 2, 5 weeks Wednesday

MTWR

Thursday

MTWR

7 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

1:30 a.m.

exam time exam time

Math Space solves problems

Exam times are scheduled by the instructor.

class time class time

English sophomore Julio Trujillo, Chantell Hopkins and Hanna Fuller from KIPP Academy watch surprised as a T-shirt burns in the reflection of a satellite dish built by the Society of Physics Students April 5 in the mall. Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists teamed with the UTSA MAES chapter to host Science Extravaganza, where high school seniors from KIPP Academy and South San Antonio had the opportunity to meet the engineering students of this college, attend workshops and see student projects. See the video at www.theranger.org. Monica Correa

MW

7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

1:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Department chairpersons can schedule final exam dates that do not conform to this schedule.

Infographic by Mandy Derfler

Writer’s Block no problem in lab

By Michael Meinen sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Imagine writing a paper, starting to type, and then freezing. The paper is due tomorrow and you have fallen victim to writer’s block. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if it’s the Writer’s Block in Rooms 118 and 122 of Gonzales Hall.

The lab offers computers for academic and personal use and one-on-one tutoring.

Students must have a college ID, state ID or a driver’s license.

Tutoring is available by appointment or walk-in, just check in in Room 122. Tutors have already taken English classes. “Tutoring sessions

usually last 45 minutes,” lab manager Antonio Garza said.

“We mainly cover ENGL 0300 and ENGL 0301 courses, although some ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302 come in,” he said.

“Students from other disciplines can come in.”

The lab offers study materials and textbooks for ENGL 0300 and 0301 and practice materials for the Accuplacer.

The lab can accommodate disabled students who register.

The lab is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.1 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 210-486-1616.

Orientation SGA training ground for civil servants of tomorrow 4 • April 15, 2013

www.theranger.org/news

Student Government Association secretary changes major after becoming an active member of groups.

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

When Student Government Association Secretary Justin Wideman enrolled at Northwest Vista College in fall 2007, he selected a major out of appreciation of the kindness he saw as a child.

As a young boy, Wideman suffered from severe asthma and acid reflux.

According to MayoClinic.com about half the children with severe asthma also have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The symptoms of acid reflux were causing his asthma symptoms to worsen. Wideman would need surgery to prevent severe acid reflux.

At 8 years old, Wideman under went a procedure known as nissen fundoplication, a procedure where surgeons take the upper part of the stomach and wrap it around the lower end of the esophagus to support the closing function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

He spent the following month in the hospital recovering, and it was there he witnessed kindness and care from his nurses.

When Wideman declared his major, it was no wonder he chose nursing.

“I had nurses that were really good,” Wideman said. “My intention was to go into nursing and be that nurse that loved doing what they did.”

Wideman transferred from Northwest Vista in fall 2010 to enroll at this college.

He wanted to be more active and more involved in campus clubs.

When he joined the Gay, Ally, and

career in politics and public service.

Wideman also credits Professor Phillip Rogers’ government and Lesbian Association and the Catholic international relations courses for his Student Association, he began to net- increased interest in politics. work and get to know people in dif“Dr. Rogers’ classes are so inforferent organizations. mative and they left a Soon after, GALA great impression on me,” President Rene Orozco Wideman said. recommended Wideman The pieces started as a possible Student to come together for Government Association Wideman. secretary to SGA President His admiration for the Jacob Wong. nursing profession was “I needed people that still in his heart but now were motivated,” Wong he wanted to help in a difsaid.

Wideman ferent way.

So when Wideman He ultimately wanted to appeared sporting a pink mohawk be a public servant and changed his during his first meeting in the sum- major to political science. mer, all Wong could say was, “OK.” Wideman has been accepted to “It turned out that anything the University of Texas-San Antonio, I gave him or any idea, we would where he will work toward earning start brainstorming and we created a bachelor’s degree in public adminan open communication. Everything istration. started rolling,” Wong said.

After he graduates, Wideman “This person was just as deter- expects to do big things. He wants to mined as I was to put the time continue his education by earning a and work in for SGA. I was really master’s degree. impressed.”

Wideman said he would like to Wong appointed Wideman as sec- become a city manager and work retary for fall 2012. his way up through the ranks to the After his first SGA meeting, much loftier goal of U.S. President.

Wideman found himself in new terThough candidates must be at ritory. least 35 years old to serve as presiHe was excited about this new dent, “I have plenty of time to gain position within student government the knowledge needed,” the 24 year and the opportunities his new posi- old joked. tion offered him.

If the executive branch is not in “It allowed me to represent stu- the cards for Wideman, he is OK with dents who have similar issues and serving in Congress. concerns as I do,” Wideman said.

Wideman said he does not want This position allowed him to see to be in public office for the sole that nursing might not be the best purpose of having power, but rather fit for him. “to be a representative who actually He started looking seriously at a represents the voice of the people.”

From ASSOCIATE, Page 1 with USAA, government and local businesses.

Calvert said there are attorneys and judges who look for students from this college to fill jobs and internships.

Calvert said with an associate degree, a student earns at least $25,000 a year in the career field.

The average local income for court reporters is $60,000 she said. Out of San Antonio, a student can earn up to $100,000.

Calvert said each company varies, but on average a student with an associate degree in business can earn $30,000$40,000.

John Bailey, program coordinator for emergency medical technician, said there will be 15 students graduating with an associate degree, 14 students will receive a Level 1 paramedic certificate and five students received a Level 1 EMT basic certificate.

Bailey said with an associate degree, these students are able to work at a hospital, EMS services and Eagle Ford Shale, an oil field 50 miles south of San Antonio.

Bailey said the starting rate for an associate degree in this field is at least $18 an hour, which is roughly $34,500 a year.

Counselor Rosa Maria Gonzalez said earning an associate degree makes the student more competitive, she said it looks better to show on a résumé there is a completed degree rather than some college experience.

Gonzalez said, “For most students, it’s a milestone.

“For some of the students they will be the first in their family to graduate from a college,” she said.

Wideman said the shared gover- students of this college a voice, he nance model that President Robert said.

Zeigler promotes between college As spring semester winds down, administration and SGA was a great Wideman has begun to turn his look at how democracy can work. attention to the legacy he leaves “It has been a great experience to behind. He starts his first semester at get in a room with people with differUTSA this fall. ent views,” he said. “Administration What path would Wideman pave and students coming together to for the organization that encouraged think about how new policy might him to get involved and helped to help students.” mold a future legislator.

During Pepsi with the President, Wideman believes that he will be SGA presents information to Zeigler; leaving behind a stronger SGA and a Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of acastudent body that has become more demics and student engagement; involved and aware of college issues. and David Mrizek, vice president of Before leaving office, he also wantcollege services. ed to bridge the gap between outgoing The majority of information they SGA members and new members. present to the executive team reflects Wideman suggested new SGA student opinion. members serve over the summer For now, with current SGA Wideman repremembers to keep It has been a sents the students continuity. great experience of this college and is SGA’s constituto get in a room proud of that voice. tion was amended with people with One initiative in March to reflect different views. that Wideman is these changes.

Justin Wideman proud to discuss This will allow is the quick action new members to SGA secretary SGA took to collect work with memstudent input on bers with more the single textbook issue. experience, he said.

“In one week, we were able to get Wideman wants SGA to be suc366 surveys together. We were able to cessful long after he leaves this college. draft, write, rewrite and rewrite again From a nursing degree to presiour speech to district,” Wideman said. dential hopeful, Wideman has big “We wanted to focus on the key dreams and is grateful to this college issue in those surveys ... That disfor the experiences and guidance. trict was not informing students of For Wideman, he said it doesn’t changes.” matter if he works in the oval office Wideman encourages students to or just the floor, he wants to make “get involved and stay active.” change.

“If you want to have your voice “Why don’t I be that change I want heard then speak up with your SGA,” to see.” he said.

For information on SGA, call 210SGA’s goal has always been to give 486-0133.

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From COUNCIL, Page 1

Vela said.

“We ought to get that down to five a semes“We’re not going to make it that way.” ter. I mean, we really shouldn’t go more than 10 Zeigler also encouraged council members or 12 full-time adjuncts a year.” to contact professors and teachers who may Zeigler suggested scheduling afternoon, be interested in teaching as an adjunct for the night and weekend classes to accommodate college. more part-time adjuncts.

The college advertised a part-time adjunct He said that although he understands stu- job fair set for Saturday in Oppenheimer. dents prefer earlier classes, “I think if we try, As of Tuesday, about 102 applicants signed we can test it and see if we can make those up to attend the adjunct fair. classes.”

Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sci“Every part-timer that ences, said though the curyou see on this college camrent average class size is 23 I can tell you that pus, for next fiscal year, (if ) students, three more students the more students we don’t address this, all would need to be added to those temps, everybody will each section to fix the deficit, you have in a be impacted, which is somehe said. class, there are a thing we cannot do,” Dr. Vernell Walker, dean of number of faculty Robert Vela, vice president technical and professional who are reducing of academics and student education, suggested smaller their academic engagement, said. sections switch classrooms to standards.

“We cannot survive withaccommodate for larger secThomas Billimek out temps.” tions. psychology chair Vela mentioned the posKrueger encouraged sibility of creating degree chairs to increase the number and certificate programs of Internet sections available geared toward night and weekend classes to in each department. encourage students to attend class during “Are you still only offering 26 max? Most those times. departments are now up to 32 or 33,” he said.

“We’re hoping that we can work with stuLauri Metcalf, American Sign Language dents through advising to say, ‘Well what about and interpreter training chair, said eliminatan evening or what about this hybrid (class),’” ing both full-time adjuncts in her department Vela said. would result in cutting 12 class sections.

He said afternoon, night and weekend Zeigler said, “There may be some areas classes would need to replace some morning where there need to be some exceptions … classes, which would also attract part-time but exceptions really have to be exceptional adjuncts to teach at the college. exceptions.”

Vela said department chairs should offer Psychology Chair Thomas Billimek said more afternoon, night and weekend classes. cutting down on full-time adjuncts means “We don’t know what that magic number full-time faculty won’t have enough time for is, but we know we can’t continue to say we’ll other duties, including advising and commitjust load the schedule like we did last year,” tee work.

’’

President Robert Zeigler says the college must cut back on full-time faculty in the fall to offset a $2.4 million cut from the 2014 fiscal year budget during a College Council meeting Tuesday in Room 120 of visual arts. Monica Correa He said his department has three full-time faculty and three full-time adjuncts.

Zeigler said the simple answer is to hire six part-time adjuncts to replace the three fulltime adjuncts in his department.

Billimek asked, “How will we handle advising and all of those other little things that are being thrown on us?”

“I can tell you that the more students you have in a class, there are a number of faculty who are reducing their academic standards,” he said.

“Continuing the (current) pattern … is not an option unless we want to see the institution continuously sink, and I don’t think anyone here wants to do that,” Zeigler said.

“We’ve got to find some solutions.”

Orientation

www.theranger.org/news

April 15, 2013 • 5

Students, elevators, doors not assisting disabled students Unauthorized elevator use is making disabled students frustrated and late to class.

By Katherine Garcia

kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu

Overcrowding of elevators is causing disabled students to be late to class, a student anonymously reported to Peer Educators.

Despite arriving 15-20 minutes early to escort disabled students to class, the elevators are packed with apparently able-bodied students, said Mariana Solis, education sophomore and a member of Peer Educators.

“You would think they would have the common courtesy to let a pregnant woman take their spot on the elevator,” she said.

Melodee Magallanez, social work sophomore and Peer Educator said the elevators would function better if they were not being used constantly. “It’s not only rude, but it makes you feel bad,” she said.

Magallanez has been blind for six years. “I’m not reminded I can’t see until it’s pointed out.”

Jesus Interiano, music business freshman and Peer Educator, said toward the end of the semester, more people are using the elevator to get to the remodeled student learning assistance center on the seventh floor of Moody Learning Center, which is “making it worse for everybody.”

Terrence Jones, disability support services technical assistant, said students may be flocking to the elevators because the stairway signs are not clearly marked. Still, the elevator has a sign stating it is only to be used by faculty, staff and disabled people. “I don’t blame the students as a DSS employee, but I’m very concerned about our students basically having access to this office,” Jones said.

Interiano said the automatic accessible doors will sometimes not open or they close

Psychology freshman Josue Estrada uses the lab for students enrolled in disability support services Wednesday on the first floor of Moody. DSS technical assistant Terrence Jones said the concrete wall prevents future expansion. Katherine Garcia before the students enters the elevator. “If it really should be accommodating, at least make sure it’s functioning properly.”

A bigger problem may be the location of DDS on the first level of Moody. Disabled students can enter Moody through ramps to the second floor on the east and north sides or via a ramp to the lower level on the south side. Using the ramps to the second floor requires use of an elevator to reach the basement. Two elevators next to the stairs work, but the one at the west entrance does not.

Six months after DSS moved to the counseling complex, students still cannot find the office, Jones said. Improvements were made, such as the automatic doors, but Jones said the basement lab in Room 147 has no automatic

A group of what appears to be able-bodied students walk into an elevator April 8 on the second floor of Moody.

A sign next to the elevator states its use is limited to faculty, staff and disabled people. Katherine Garcia door and narrow aisles, making maneuvering in a wheelchair difficult.

He said a concrete wall prevents improvements, such as expanding the walkway to increase wheelchair access.

Jones said the concrete wall in the lab is a mistake because moving around with a wheel chair is difficult with the wall.

Jones said during construction, no one from DSS was asked for recommendations for improvements to make the lab more accessible for students with disability.

He said he does not blame the students for using the elevators but blames the construction because these problems can be prevented.

“We as human beings, we help,” Jones said.

Databases help students with learning, research

Owing fines delays course registration

By Emily Rodriguez

By Paula Christine Schuler

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Using resources and databases that the library in Moody Learning Center offers can help students boost grades, save money and form good study habits.

Librarians are available to help students with research.

“There are usually two librarians to help students with their research projects,” Librarian Stephen Dingman said.

“A lot of times students find OK stuff, but with a quick consultation with a friendly librarian, they can find just what they need.”

The library has 131 databases and indexes, over 24,000 periodicals and newspapers and hun-

dreds of guides for student use.

There are approximately 29,000 e-books available for access.

“We are negotiating with a vendor to purchase thousands of new electronic books, but that probably won’t happen until the summer. That will be thousands of up-to-date books,” Dingman said.

Students also can log into databases off-campus by using their ACES username and Banner ID. Not all databases are accessible to all students; some may only be accessed by students of a particular college.

“Some of these are universal, like Academic Search Complete can be accessed by everyone,”

Dingman said.

“But the nursing databases, you have to be a student at St. Philip’s or SAC because we pay by the number of full-time students.

So a student at Northwest Vista wouldn’t be able to access it.”

Dingman said students and members of the community can go to a campus that subscribes to a particular database to access it.

Students have an option to use a TexShare card, which grants access to libraries at the other colleges and universities around the state.

TexShare cards are available from librarians if requested.

For more information and library hours, visit www.alamo. edu/sac/library.

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

On Oct. 5, 1789, George Washington checked out “The Law of Nations,” by Emer de Vattel from the New York Society Library, which occupied the same building as the federal government while New York was the nation’s capital.

The book was never returned nor were any fines paid, according to the library’s website.

In 2010, Washington’s estate staff at Mount Vernon offered to replace the book with a different copy of the same edition.

The library celebrated the occasion by releasing the first president from his fine, 221 years after he first checked out the book.

This college’s library fines may be tiny at 10 cents a day, but students are not the nation’s first president and are

not likely to get a reprieve.

An unfortunate result of unpaid library fines at this college is a hold on financial aid for students.

Consequences of unpaid fines include registration delays, possible scheduling changes, extra trips or phone calls to the library and added stress.

Librarian assistant Rachel Jaramillo said she has seen holds placed for fines as low as 80 cents.

Librarian and assistant professor Tom Bahlinger said, “We’re not trying to be punitive, but if you check something out you do have a responsibility to get it back or renew it.”

Students can renew checked-out items in person in Moody Learning Center or online at Alamo.edu/sac/ library.

For more information, call 210-4860554.

Library provides study space and help for research

By Emily Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Students looking for a quiet place to study or get assistance with research can find it at the library.

Recent renovations have given the library, Floors 2-5 of Moody Learning Center, more space and new places for students to study.

The reference desk is on the second floor. Students can use computers for research, to print papers, browse for books, or reserve one of six group study rooms.

Group study rooms can be checked out for three hours at the reference desk. With a student ID, minimum of two students can

reserve a study room.

At the third floor circulation desk, students can check out books, DVDs and get change. Students have access to additional group study rooms and inter-library loan materials.

Students can check out reserve textbooks for two hours on the third floor of the library.

Librarian Stephen Dingman said textbooks are not available for every class, but availability can be checked on the library’s website.

“It’s very popular because of cost of the textbooks. I’m not advising students not to buy the book, but it is a way to save money if the textbook is on reserve,” he said.

“It’s great when the classroom instructor puts a copy on reserve in the library. We certainly encourage instructors to do that.”

The fourth floor houses the library’s book collections.

The books cannot be checked out but can be viewed in the library.

The fifth floor holds the library’s faculty and staff offices and instructional classrooms that can be checked out by instructors for classes.

Library hours vary each semester.

For more information, visit the library’s website at www. alamo.edu/sac/library.

News

6 • April 15, 2013

www.theranger.org/news

Restoring the ‘spirit reach’ of the San Antonio River

By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu

About once a week 10-50 community volunteers and students from the University of Incarnate Word gather 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays or Saturdays at a small, but significant green space occupying the first one-third mile of the San Antonio River.

They work to help restore, preserve and build a place where the Earth can stay well and people can be restored.

With the recent drought, flow from the San Antonio Spring, fondly known as the Blue Hole, has ceased.

The spring that feeds the San Antonio River and the Olmos Creek come together near the Blue Hole to bring inhabitants and tourists to the area for more than 10,000 years.

Helen Ballew, executive director of Headwaters of Incarnate Word, originally named Headwaters Coalition, said some like to call the headwaters “the spirit reach” of the San Antonio River Walk.

The first initiative of Headwaters of Incarnate Word is the creation of a nature sanctuary for education and spiritual reflection.

Part of the work is removing debris deposited by the Olmos Creek after storms and building trails.

Other workdays are devoted to removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species.

Ballew reported that the Olmos Basin north of UIW collects rainwater from a large area of San Antonio.

Water flow is controlled by the Olmos Dam to prevent massive flooding.

San Antonio has been in a state of drought since fall 2010 leading to a backflow situation.

UIW freshmen George English and Blake Thomas remove logs to keep water flowing in the right direction from the headwaters of the San Antonio River. Paula Christine Schuler In spite of flow controls of rain from the dam and below the dam can overwhelm the dry creek bed from the Blue Hole and push water and debris back into the Blue Hole.

To prevent blockage, Ballew installed a fine grate over the spring’s circular wall opening.

She said the grate protects the opening to the spring cave from debris.

When rain returns, the spring will be unimpeded and able to flow again, Ballew said.

Little springs and seeps will begin again in abundance over the Olmos Basin and headwaters area of the river.

On April 5, volunteers cleared recently gathered debris with a wheel barrel from the grate area and moved on to clear trees that had fallen over the riverbed.

Ballew said keeping the river bed clear of logs, fallen branches and leaf build-up

helps preserve the Blue Hole, so it will be free to flow again when the aquifer returns to levels above 676 feet.

The historical marker tells of a much more active spring in the 1800s reported to sometimes gush several feet into the air.

“The whole river gushes up in one sparkling burst from the earth,” landscape architect and travel writer Frederick Law Olmsted wrote in his first travel book, “Journey Through Texas.”

Olmsted wrote, “It is beyond your possible conceptions of a spring.”

Ballew said they want more of a natural contemplative human scale to the development and care of this part of the river and maintain a simple, low impact kind of vision.

Ballew said there is a misconception that the Blue Hole is owned by the university but is inaccessible.

The headwaters sanctu-

UIW freshmen George English and Blake Thomas remove debris from the outlet of the very dry Blue Hole.

Paula Christine Schuler ary area is accessible from the UIW campus and visible on their campus map. Visit uiw. edu/map.

Three more initiatives of the Headwaters of Incarnate Word include restoration and care of the land, facilitation of sanctuary-based programs that encourage an ecological ethic and reaching out to serve as a catalyst for environmental responsibility.

Water will always be essential to life, and clean water coming from preserved sourc-

es is critical to the wellbeing of the environment.

The volunteers April 6 were a peaceful group ready to work at 8:30 a.m., dressed in boots or sneakers, jeans and long sleeves because it was a cold day.

UIW pre-pharmacy freshman George England said it was his second time to volunteer and he enjoyed the project.

Retired Air Force volunteer Olivia Tapia has been volunteering for two years and said,

“This is important work.”

The friendly, ready hearts of the volunteers invested care and spirit into the river.

Tapia appeared typical of the volunteers, a group of individuals who were finding enjoyment, satisfaction, peace and restoration as they restored the “spirit reach.”

For more information, call Helen Ballew at 210-824-2224, Ext. 232 or visit www.headwaterscoalition.org.

To volunteer, email howard.homan@amormeus.org.

Fracking fundamentally changes South Texas identity The largest oil field in the U.S. begins an hour’s drive from San Antonio.

By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Fifty-four miles from San Antonio is the heaviest activity of oil drilling in South Texas.

The Eagle Ford Shale drilling field is so massive and active, the region is easily seen as a swath of bright lights on nighttime photographic images from satellites.

The field is a zone so large it extends from the Mexican border northeast beyond Austin and encompasses 23 Texas counties.

The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the exploration and production of oil and natural gas in Texas, states the area includes a swath of real estate roughly 50 miles wide and 400 miles long.

The economic impact affects San Antonio and all of South Texas.

Henry Cisneros, chair of San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, said, “This is not just a national class but a world phenomenon that has occurred at our doorstep.”

Cisneros also served as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton administration and mayor of San Antonio from

1981-1989.

The Jobs section of the Sunday San Antonio Express-News carries more than four pages of job openings in the oil industry.

Since the first Eagle Ford Shale well was drilled in 2008, there has been demand for labor in the oil fields and related business.

The Institute for Economic Development at University of Texas at San Antonio conducts research on the boom’s impact on housing and economics.

Oil and related businesses supported 116,000 jobs, the Institute of Economic Development at UTSA has determined. In the October 2012 Workforce Analysis of the Eagle Ford Shale, UTSA reported truck driving to be the No. 1 growth occupation for Bexar County.

Since November, Alamo Colleges has been responding to demands for laborers by working to create programs that provide training directly related to job openings in South Texas, such as oil well safety, first aid and commercial driving licensure.

At 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Pearl Stable, the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum sponsored

Eagle Shale Forum 2.

Government officials and private industry leaders met for a moderated information session on the clean energy impact of the Eagle Shale oil boom in the counties south and east of San Antonio.

Panelists included Texas Comptroller Susan Combs; Cisneros; and Jim Martson, vice president and co-founder of Texas Office of Environmental Defense Fund.

Moderator Robert Rivard started by asking Cisneros to open with economic numbers to show the magnitude of the boom in the oil field industry in South Texas.

Cisneros said a mere 26 oil drilling permits were issued in 2008; that increased to 4,145 in 2012.

Texas produced more oil in 2012 than Alaska, North Dakota and California combined, the next three highest oil producers in the U.S. Lance Robertson, vice president of Eagle Ford Production Operations for Marathon Oil, seemed to echo Cisneros when he said onethird of Marathon’s investment globally was going into the Eagle Ford area.

Investments include land and mineral rights, water treatment facilities, deep wells

into water sources that are not drinkable, pipelines, oil wells, offices, trucks, refineries, and housing.

Panelists shared their perspectives and expertise in their agreement of the long-term, world-impacting development just south of the city.

The 2010 Census reported the population of Poteet to be 3,250, the oil boom in South Texas is giving the little city headaches with traffic jams, noise and dust.

Retired New York police officer Don Persyn and his wife Rita returned to Texas more than 12 years ago when he retired.

Don said trucks are rolling through Poteet, changing life for his town.

On the flip side, the Persyns are planning to open an RV park on their land to take advantage of unmet housing demands of an exploding workforce drawn from other parts of the United States.

The Eagle Shale Forum 2 can be seen in full at video.klrn.org in Local Programming Specials.

For more information on Alamo Colleges Eagle Ford jobs training programs, visit http:// alamo.edu/ewd/ or call 210-485-0246.

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News

April 15, 2013 • 7

District rolls out academic and career advising model in fall

By Rebecca Salinas

rsalinas191@student.alamo.edu

The academic and career advising model will keep students engaged with the college because the pathway to success will be personalized, Dr. Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College, said.

The model was discussed during the Academic Accountability and Student Success Committee meeting Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

According to the model’s mission statement, academic and career advising will help students explore their “academic and career pathways.”

“This involves all of us collectively as faculty and staff working together. This involves different units working together,” Flores said. “We’re leaving that silo approach; we’re moving to an integrative approach.”

He said the faculty adviser and the student will “establish a pathway” for the student to transition from college to career. He said faculty advising was introduced in December 2011 and employees started working on college specific plans in June. He said employee attendees at the Academic and Career Advising Institute in December developed the academic advising vision, mission and definition, as well as student learning outcomes for students with 0-30 hours.

Flores said the model will be deployed in May with training and is planned to be implemented for the fall semester.

He said there will be a syllabus, such as a course syllabus, required when advising.

“Why not have an academic advising syllabus for the students, that really talks about the relationship, the responsibilities of the advisee and the relationship of the specific adviser, or in some cases a counselor, and, in most cases, a faculty member,” he said. “What are we going to do? What is this all about? What is this arrangement all about?”

Flores said the process starts with connection between the student and adviser by having awareness of career institutes and what they offer. The next step is actual entry into college with orientation and student development. The third step is progress where the introduction and research on the transfer institute begin.

The last step is completion with internships, graduation or placement.

“All of our goal is to get the student on the right path, to ensure that they have an internship, they have some sense of what they’d like to do, where’d they like to go,” he said.

The first level, or connection level, would provide the academic advising syllabus, assign an adviser, help with applications and registration, orient students with degree plans and identify major. The entry level would help students validate their chosen major by finding a degree plan and will offer help on advising and registering for the following semester.

The progress level would make faculty advise through a degree or certificate completion.

Flores said Dr. Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for student success, and Dr. Federico Zaragoza, vice chancellor of economic and workforce development, worked on the model.

“It really has been a collaborative effort with the intent that we would enhance our practice,” Flores said.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie said the model is not a traditional advising model, but it is a learning opportunity for students. “They’re going to be gaining part of their educational outcomes as a result of experiencing this model,” he said.

District 7 trustee Yvonne Katz said, “It’s that dimension that we’re not going to let you fail; we are going to have you succeed.”

She said this model would “flip” the traditional model because the traditional model rushes students to graduate. “It’s kind of like, over my dead body; you are going to succeed,” she said.

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete wanted to know if it is possible to track students after they leave the Alamo Colleges. He said if students leave the district without graduating and do find a better job, then the district should know about it.

“How can we capture that information so that we can utilize it, not only tracking the student through their success rate at the community college but tracking the benefit we provided them as a community college,” he said.

District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said students leaving college could have an “exit interview.”

Leslie said it is difficult because the district does not know when students will leave if they do not graduate. He said another problem is that students do not always know where they are going after graduation.

Leslie said when the district does find out the student left, such as a semester later, then they might not hear from them.

Rindfuss said a possibility could be that students fill out a questionnaire at the end of the semester and the student not get a grade unless they fill it out. He said the questionnaire could have professor and course evaluations as well as what the student is going to do in the future.

District 6 trustee Gene Sprague said the board could not invent a system that would catch every student’s plan, but the advising model is the closest system that could do that because the advisers are in constant contact with the student.

In other news, the committee unanimously approved the oil and gas technology associate of applied science degree at Palo Alto.

The degree has specializations in process technology and production technician at 60 credit hours, the Level 1 certificate at 18 credit hours and the career foundation core certificate at 30 credit hours.

According to the minute order, “The Oil and

Dr. Mike Flores, president of Palo Alto College, says faculty advisers work closely with students when they use the academic and career advising model. Flores presented the model at the Academic Accountability and Student Success Committee meeting Tuesday in Killen. Rebecca Salinas Gas Technology program will prepare students for technical careers in the support of the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas industry.” The program will provide training for students interested in petroleum and natural gas processing operations and production maintenance. Potential jobs include petroleum pump systems operators, refinery operators, gaugers, geological technicians and petroleum technicians. There are 51 projected jobs in the oil and gas market per year.

No other college in the district offers training for oil and gas occupations and the closest colleges that do offer training in the state are Brazosport College in Lake Jackson and College of the Mainland in Texas City.

The five-year projected net income is $75,312.

The minute order is expected to go to the full board at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen. For more information, visit alamo.edu/district/board.

Pul

8 • www.theranger.org/pulse

Vic firs

Gym shorts Final Scores

By Micha

Saturday Women’s soccer • San Antonio 2 Austin Hazards 0 • San Antonio 1 Corpus Christi Beaches 0 • San Antonio 0 Houston Sliders 0 Men’s baseball • San Antonio 5 Texas State 7 • San Antonio 3 Texas State 10 Sunday Women’s soccer • San Antonio 1 Revolution F.C. 2 • San Antonio 0 Coastal Bend 1 Men’s baseball San Antonio 3 Texas State 6

sac-ranger@

Upcoming games Men’s baseball Saturday UT San Antonio at San Antonio, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Central Catholic baseball field Sunday UT San Antonio at San Antonio, 11 a.m. at Central Catholic baseball field

Carlos Ferrand

Victoria College women’s basketball team celebrates a tournament win against Southwest Texas Junior College April 7 at Incarnate Word. This is the current women’s team first title win for the school league during regular season and first tournament win. Daniel Arguelles

Victoria battles into overtime to defeat Southwest Texas Junior

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

Tate Tefton, education freshman at St. Philip’s drives past Desmond Hines, liberal arts freshman at Northwest Vista, to get across half court to avoid a 10-second violation during the semifinal game Saturday at McDermott at the University of the Incarnate Word. Adriana Ruiz

St. Philip’s proves too strong for Northwest Vista in 100-83 victory

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

After the Tigers lost to the Wildcats by 27 points March 20, St. Philip’s returned to trounce Northwest Vista 100-83 April 6 in the McDermott Convocation Center at Incarnate Word.

The bad blood between the St. Philip’s Tigers and the Northwest Vista Wildcats dates back to last season when the Wildcats fell to The Tigers, preventing Northwest Vista from advancing to the playoffs.

This year was different; the Wildcats made the playoffs and faced the Tigers. Northwest Vista’s defense secured the March 20 victory.

The Wildcats held the Tigers’ leading scorer, criminal justice sophomore Mark Anthony, to only 2 points.

Anthony started the April 6 playoff game with a 3-pointer, scoring more points in the opening seconds than he did in the entire previous meeting. “We wanted revenge,” he said after the game.

Unlike the previous matchup, Northwest Vista’s defense was not able to prevent Anthony and sociology sophomore Jeff Fennell from dominating the paint.

Anthony scored 19 points with four assists, while Fennell led the Tigers with 20 points.

Liberal arts freshman Desmond Hines did his best to keep the game close in the first half, scoring 12 of his 25 points.

It would be the Tigers’ defense that would prove to be too much for the Wildcats to handle.

The Tigers forced 13 steals and brought down 28 defense rebounds.

“We came ready to play. We started putting pressure on their shooters,” St. Philip’s Coach Jimmy Alcala said.

“We kept them from getting those easy shots.”

The St. Philip’s Tigers advanced to the championship game April 7 against the Victoria Pirates.

The Victoria Pirates 102-93 victory over the Southwest Texas Junior Cowboys couldn’t be decided in regulation time April 6 at McDermott Convocation Center at Incarnate Word.

The winner faced St. Philip’s in the championship game.

The Cowboys commanded the game early, forcing the Pirates into bad shot selections and blocking almost everything in the paint.

With strong play on the defensive side of the court, Cowboys guard Kejuan Presberry’s offense helped the Cowboys grow its lead.

Presberry scored 16 points in the first half and finished with 23 points.

With 5 minutes remaining in the first half, Victoria starting hitting shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

Pirates guard Xavier Callis sank a 3-pointer from behind the arc and started an 11-3 rally that would prove to be the turning point in the game. Callis scored 30 points in the game.

By halftime, the Cowboys only led 43-40.

The next 20 minutes played out like two sluggers going punch for punch.

Callis would sink a 17-foot shot, and Thomas would answer by dunking over defenders.

Victoria guard Zack Hoffmaster uses the double coverage to his advantage by drawing the foul. Carlos Ferrand The Cowboys stayed within 8 points before making a run to try to pull ahead in the final 2 minutes. With less than 20 seconds to play, the Cowboys found themselves down 84-82.

With precious seconds ticking away, Mayen drove to the basket, drawing a shooting foul with only a few seconds on the clock.

Mayen sank both free throws to tie and send the game into overtime.

The Cowboys’ effort to pull even with the Pirates seemed to take all the gas they had left.

Victoria outscored Southwest Texas Junior in overtime 18-9 and walked off the court victorious.

“We practice five days a week. So we think that at the end of the game, we are going to have more gas in the tank,” Anderson said.

“Today we did.”

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Victoria College pulls aw

By Michael Peters

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The top-seeded Victoria College Lady Pirates defeated the University of the Incarnate Word Lady Cardinals 60-47 April 6 in McDermott Convocation Center at Incarnate Word to advance to the championship game of the Texas Collegiate Club Sports League tournament.

Early on, it looked like business as usual for the Lady Pirates as they started the game on an 8-2 run.

The Lady Cardinals, though, showed they were going to put up a bigger fight than expected as they responded with an 8-2 run of their own to tie the game almost halfway through the first half.

Led by engineering management freshman Zoie Cuellar, the Lady Cardinals took the lead late in the first half at 24-23.

The lead, however, was short lived as the Lady Pirates scored on their last possession to reach halftime up 25-24.

The Lady Pirates came out of the gates firing in the second half and scored the first 7 points to take a 32-24 lead.

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Cowgirls hold off L

The Cowgirls advance to the champions to face winner of Victoria vs. UIW.

By Michael Peters

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The Southwest Texas Junior College Cowgirls held off a comeback attempt by the St. Philip’s Lady Tigers to advance to the championship game by a score of 72-65.

The 9 a.m. tipoff must have been too early for the Lady Tigers, who seemed to be sleepwalking at the start of the game.

Just 6:28 into the game, the Lady Tigers were down 20-2 before they could even blink.

With 7:36 left in the first half, the Lady Tigers found themselves

down 30-12.

The Cowgirls go the last several min half and the Lady T to cut the Cowgirls The Cowgirls le time.

Led by account Julissa Garrett, th scored 13 unansw take a 44-42 lead.

The Lady Tig extend their lead izing on the Cowgi during the middle half.

The Cowgirls’ w

lse

April 15, 2013 • 9

ctoria College clinches st women’s championship

ael Peters

@alamo.edu

ictoria College Lady Pirates defeated the st Texas Junior College Cowgirls 70-53 h its first Texas Collegiate Club Sports ournament championship. raucous traveling support for Victoria made for an exciting atmosphere April e McDermott Convocation Center at e Word.

Victoria College men’s basketball team and stomped nearly the entire game, a lot of noise for the Cowgirls offense ith.

Cowgirls’ bench tried its best to keep up of the bargain, chanting “defense” each Lady Pirates took possession.

Cowgirls started fast, taking early 2-0 and s. They would never lead again, despite elatively close for large stretches of the

8:48 to go in the first half, the Lady eld an 8-point lead over the Cowgirls. the next 3-plus minutes, the Cowgirls cut deficit and pulled within 2 points, making 25-23 in favor of the Lady Pirates. ftime, the game was much closer than it should have been with the Lady Pirates a slim 33-30 lead.

Cowgirls had trouble with the Lady pressure defense, turning the ball over us times. ady Pirates started the second half on a which extended their lead to 11, at 43-32.

With 11:45 to go in the second half, the Cowgirls cut the lead to 9, making the score 49-40.

The Lady Pirates would keep the Cowgirls at arm’s length the rest of the game, with the lead floating between 7-10 points until the last 3 minutes of the game.

With 3:09 remaining on the clock, the Lady Pirates held a 64-53 lead and scored the final 6 points of the game.

The Lady Pirates’ current roster captured their first Texas Collegiate Club Sports League tournament championship by a final score of 70-53, after capturing their first regular season championship as well.

Both teams lined up at center court for the post-game ceremony. The Cowgirls collected medals for finishing second and the Lady Pirates received the championship trophy.

“It’s been a long time coming. We’ve worked really hard these last three years since the program started,” Lady Pirates’ Coach Joshua Moore said.

Undoubtedly, the star of the game was liberal arts freshman Adelaide Wenzel of the Lady Pirates, who led scorers with 25 points. She frequently sliced through the heart of the defense, resembling San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili cutting through defenders to get to the hoop at will.

The next highest scorer was Cowgirls’ forward Ashley Howell with 19 points.

Howell scored the majority of her points in the low post as the Lady Pirates frequently had trouble denying entry passes to her.

“We played really well,” Moore said. “Everyone played their role and it was a great team effort.”

way late, defeats Incarnate Word 60-47

ver the next 2:10, the Lady Cardinals would 9 unanswered points to take a 33-32 lead. he Lady Cardinals and Lady Pirates traded ets over the next few minutes, giving the Pirates a 37-35 lead. ced by liberal arts freshman Adelaide el, the Lady Pirates would score 10 of the 15 points to take a 47-40 lead with 4:04 left game. he Lady Pirates would pull away further in st few minutes, winning by a final score 47. dy Pirates Coach Joshua Moore explained ow start.

We got nervous, had the jitters a little bit,” e said. “We’re a 3-point shooting team and dn’t make a 3 until the second half.” oore looked ahead to the matchup with west Texas Junior College for the chamhip.

We won the first two games against them ost the last one,” he said. “It might be a thing we lost the last one because we be overconfident.”

Liberal arts senior Allison Peters attempts a layup against Incarnate Word April 6 in McDermott at Incarnate Word. Vincent Reyna

Lady Tigers’ furious comeback

ship game

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went on a 20-8

run to take a 62-52 lead with 4:17 left in the game.

The Lady Tigers pulled within 3 points with 49.8 seconds left on the clock but were unable to take the lead.

“That was a nail-biter; we just came up short,” Lady Tigers coach Philip Botello said.

Cowgirls’ Coach Jesus M. Garcia said he felt the game was closer than it should have been.

“Foul trouble got us; four of our players fouled out, and we had only five players at the end,” Garcia said. “That made it more interesting than it needed to be.”

Garrett led all scorers with 42 points, earning most valuable player honors.

Kinesiology sophomore Jen Dye shoots from the side against Southwest Texas April 6 in McDermott at Incarnate Word. Carlos Ferrand

Victoria Pirates’ Xavier Callis passes the ball after both teams scramble on the floor to get the offensive rebound during the men’s basketball tournament April 7 at Incarnate word. Daniel Arguelles

Victoria demonstrates consistency in championship game defeating St. Philip’s

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

The St. Philip’s Tigers wanted a rerun of last year’s championship win, but the Victoria Pirates grabbed the momentum and never looked back, winning 64-56 April 7 in McDermott Convocation Center at Incarnate Word.

The Tigers opened the game with a strong offensive, scoring on eight out of their first 11 possessions.

Kinesiology sophomore Jocorey Phoenix of St. Philip’s scored 10 points in the first 11 minutes, allowing the Tigers to grab an early lead 23-14.

Phoenix led the Tigers with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The Tigers applied pressure at both ends of the court and controlled the game.

At this point in the first half, the Tigers appeared to relax the pressure and slow down.

The Pirates saw this as an opportunity to take control of the game.

“You cannot take off 2 or 3 minutes,” St. Philip’s Coach Jimmy Alcala said. “You have to play 40 minutes. If you slack off for just 2 or 3 minutes, you could change the momentum.”

Victoria took the momentum for the remainder of the first half, going on a 16-7 scoring run and

taking the lead at halftime 30-29.

Victoria’s first half comeback was an offensive effort that included the whole team, with no one player standing out as top scorer.

Of the eight Pirates to score in the first half, one player scored 2 points, four players scored 3 points each, one player scored 4 points and three players scored 5 points each.

“We’re a team, and all 13 of our guys can go,” Victoria Coach Jonathan Anderson said.

The second half began with a back and forth battle for the lead, changing four times in five minutes before being tied at 36-36.

After a called timeout, Victoria guard Xavier Callis would rise to the occasion and start a run that would give Victoria a final lead.

“Tonight was Callis’ night,” Anderson said after the game.

Hitting three straight 3-pointers, Callis began a 17-8 scoring flurry that would last more than 5 minutes. The Tigers never rebounded from the first half’s shift in momentum, and the Pirates never slowed down.

“One of our Achilles’ heels all season has been our ability to finish a game,” Anderson said. “That is the one thing we have really been working hard on, and finally for the first time all season long,

Victoria Pirates Bryce Henry passes the ball as St. Philips’ Demarcus Baker And Rakim Sharkey rush to block during the second half. Daniel Arguelles we finish out a game.”

The Pirates finished out the game 64-56 and were crowned 2013 Texas Collegiate Club Sports League champions.

“All you can do is put yourself in the position to play for a championship, and then you’ve got to go play for 40 minutes,” Anderson said.

Victoria also won the championship in women’s basketball and volleyball.

“It is a special day for Victoria College. We couldn’t ask for a better ending,” he said.

Trinity hitter Jackie Krus leaps to spike as Victoria’s middle blocker Brittany Targac positions to block during Victoria’s 3-1 victory in the women’s Texas Club League championship game Sunday in McDermott at Incarnate Word. Carlos Ferrand

10 • April 15, 2013

www.theranger.org/editorial

.org

the

ranger

Editorial

Editor Rebecca Salinas Managing Editor Faith Duarte News Editor Jennifer Luna Sports and Entertainment Editor Carlos Ferrand Calendar Editor Katherine Garcia Staff Writers Benjamin Enriquez, Jahna Lacey, Henry Martinez, Michael Meinen, Michael Peters, Emily Rodriguez, Paula Christine Schuler, Carolina D. Vela, Ingrid Wilgen Photographers Monica Correa, Vincent Reyna Photo Team Daniel Arguelles, Stephanie Dix, Juliana Day Huff, Adriana Ruiz Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Production Manager Mandy Derfler Multimedia Editor Riley Stephens Web Editor Alma Linda Manzanares Circulation Zachary Fernandez ©2013 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org.

The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length.

Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number.

Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.

Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs.

Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office.

Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

MetaMedia Follow-ups give readers fresh perspective By definition, news is new information of a sequence of events in a perpetual state of change.

While some stories have an ending, most don’t, and it’s up to journalists to keep track and follow up on changes of those events, whether it be the hiring (or firing) of an employee, a new policy adopted by the Alamo Colleges board of trustees or something as simple as the cancellation of an event.

By writing follow-up stories featuring different angles, journalists are keeping news fresh and in the minds of readers who want to know more about a particular event or topic.

For example, in September, The Ranger covered breaking news of an incident that occurred in Oppenheimer Academic Center.

Though details were not immediately released to the public, including the reason why it occurred in the first place, by following up with college administrators and district police, The Ranger continued to follow-up on

Juan Carlos Campos

Where will we park?

There is no doubt parking will be a problem for the fall semester, or rather, for yet another semester.

With the new parking garage opening eight months after the opening of Tobin Lofts, residents of the lofts could park in the college’s existing parking garage.

In other words, students and employees will have to compete with residents.

Residents can purchase the $200 permit for the parking garage, and will be guaranteed a spot in the garage east of Chance Academic Center. Tobin Loft residents are restricted to the parking garage.

Students can either purchase the $200 permit for the garage or $50 permit for access to the other lots.

There will be a total of 552 beds available at Tobin Lofts, and there are more than 900 parking slots available in the parking garage.

Although unlikely, it could be that residents — who may or not be students at this college — take more than half of our garage parking slots because non-Alamo Colleges residents

will not be able to purchase the $50 parking permit.

Still, the question is: Where will students and employees park?

Even if students and employees want to invest in the $200 parking permit, they are not guaranteed a parking slot because an electronic arm-gate will close if the garage is full.

With a few parking lots closed because of construction, the last thing employees and students need preferential treatment for nonstudents when Tobin Lofts one benefit to the college is space in another parking garage.

Parking is a problem at this college. It doesn’t matter if you pay $50 or $200 for a permit, you will have to compete for a parking spot.

Even John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, admitted the problem this college has with parking and will continue to for sometime.

As always, students and employees will have to continue to start hours early before in order to find parking.

Apply for FAFSA early Officials gather information on a incident Sept. 26 in Oppenheimer. The Ranger wrote six follow-up stories on the incident. File the altercation until finally getting to the bottom of the story a month later.

Concerning this incident, The Ranger received multiple phone calls to the newsroom, a letter to the editor and news tips submitted online from readers who wanted to know the entire story.

Follow-up stories also promote accountability from sources, which consequently encourages transparency.

There will always be people, readers and sources alike, who may dislike when reporters write about “old news,” however, there are also those who appreciate learning new information from a fresh perspective.

Although summer is fast approaching, remember money is available for students who are attending classes.

It is important to remember this because so many students believe there is not enough financial help available to go to school.

Use every opportunity that you can, financial aid assistance is available all month; if students need help in filling out the applications, visit student financial services.

April is Financial Aid Literacy Month, so attend FAFSA Wednesdays, where profession-

als help students apply for aid.

There is also a chance to earn a $250 Financial Literacy Award.

After submitting an application, check ACES email for further instructions. An Alamo Cash card will be mailed to you, and your aid award will be directly deposited on the card within a few days.

The deadline to apply for financial aid is May 1. If you complete the application by the deadline, funds will be guaranteed to you in time for fall.

E-books not functional Faculty members may soon be required to use one textbook per course.

One option would be for faculty to use an e-book instead of a textbook.

Some professors have already switched to e-books.

For students who don’t have the money to purchase or rent an e-book, it will be difficult to keep up with class work.

Accessing the e-book can become an inconvenience when you don’t have the latest

gadgets or Internet access readily available. It also doesn’t help that the campus Wi-Fi can be unreliable at times.

Professors who use a projector to lecture from an e-book forget the difficulty for students in the back of the class.

It is especially frustrating when the class has a full roster.

Though e-books may be convenient for some, some students still prefer a traditional textbook.

Opinion

www.theranger.org/opinion

April 15, 2013 • 11

Development classes motivated me to survive, succeed When I began my pursuit in spring 2011 to earn an associate degree in journalism, I was enthusiastic about the challenges and Viewpoint learning the basics

by Jahna of journalism, Lacey different writing styles and improvsac-ranger@ alamo.edu ing my grammar.

I knew I had the talent, so I was devastated when my class schedule included READ 0303, College Reading and Critical Thinking, and MATH 0300, Basic Mathematics.

As an avid reader, I pondered what my problem was; it turned out that I just needed to slow down and read

in small chunks. As for math, I barely knew fractions, graphing solutions, evaluating, simplifying, and negating statements.

During my high school years, I only had hours to read the course content so instructors rushed me on assignment deadlines, and no one taught me math higher than freshman level.

I escaped a special education label in my junior year, but even after changing schools, I still was not taught math higher than freshman level. When I finally reached college, I knew I had to devote my time to learning the basics.

I studied the materials for two hours per day and worked on the homework. I thought these prereq-

uisites would be discouraging, and instead they had helped me develop my studying and visual learning method. The prerequisites did not discourage me because the courses gave me a simplistic comprehension of the subjects and taught me to write and study better.

All I had to do was examine the notes as the instructors wrote on the board or lectured, and it motivated me to study more often and devote myself to the content.

As I persevered with my first semester, Professor Michael Stasko used class time to slowly demonstrate step-bystep instructions for solving fractions, rate, and graphing equations.

In Professor Helen Carr’s class, I learned about various reading meth-

ods, styles of note-taking and even deciphering propaganda styles of advertising. As a result of using those methods, writing down basic steps, studying with groups, and attending tutoring, I made a C in MATH 0300 and an A in READ 0303. I was able to complete my required courses and finish the developmental requirements. Last fall, I earned a B in Professor Paula McKenna’s MATH 1332, Contemporary Math 1.

I am on the verge of graduation with 93 percent of my journalism degree plan complete and I expect to earn an associate degree in fall 2013.

This semester, I am making a plan to study harder and take more notes more often in my hardest subject — science.

Though struggling, I am taking the initiative to get tutoring at the Biospot in Room 350 of Chance Academic Center and geology museum in Room 003 of chemistry and geology during breaks between classes.

The solution I used for passing my classes was simple.

My advice for current and future students is make an initial plan to study at home or during class breaks, always take notes on lectures, attend tutoring when possible, and finish off all homework before deadlines.

My first semester has given me a sense of initiative and motivation to do necessary work immediately and make realistic goals.

Even today, I find that I must make priorities for a better life.

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12 • April 15, 2013

www.theranger.org/premiere

Speech students compete in Speakout sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The department of fine arts is staging the 2013 Speakout contest at 5 p.m. April 30 in the theater of McCreless Hall.

The preliminary round is from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. that day in the second floor classrooms of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

“Speech instructors will be nominating students from their classes to compete with each other,” Chair Jeff Hunt said. “Students will perform informative and persuasive speeches that they used in their classes.”

All students in SPCH 1311, 1315, and 1321 can participate in the rounds with their demonstrative, informative and persuasive speeches they gave in their classes.

Speech Instructor Jolinda Ramsey said most of the speech instructors would be attending as judges for the preliminary rounds.

The classrooms are determined by the types of speeches to ensure a variety of speeches in the final rounds.

Former President Felipe Calderón of Mexico visits Trinity University March 21.

Calderón was the keynote speaker of the 2013 Flora Cameron Lecture on Politics and Public Affairs. See story at www.theranger.org. Vincent Reyna

New platform compares prices

By Emily Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Flyerbug, a new user-driven social platform, has been launched to help consumers save money through comparative shopping.

Founder Raul Sukraj said the platform helps college students save money using everyday technology.

“I lived off campus (during college), food was one of those things that you have to buy,” he said. “The platform allows you to compare just about anything. It doesn’t have to be foodrelated things you can buy at a grocery store. It can be personal needs items.”

“There’s even beer listed on the platform,” Sukraj said.

Based in Toronto and New York, Flyerbug allows users to share and compare prices by ZIP code.

Users submit prices and vendors, and reliability is based on badges on the profile page, earned by user contribution to the database. Items users frequently update, like dairy, canned goods or baby items, are shown on the profile page.

Users can create a watch list

Honors recital tonight

By Jahna Lacey

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The fine arts department will be staging its annual honors recital at 7:30 p.m. today in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Music Professor Andrew Gignac will be coordinating the event.

Gignac said his responsibilities as a coordinator include watching over the audition process and making sure the nominations are as objective as possible and students get rehearsal time in the auditorium.

He also will be putting together narratives about each student. Every spring, music professors nominate

outstanding students to audition.

“I’m also going to be putting together a narrative about each student,” Gignac said.

He said each student will be given an award at the concert and the audience will hear a short narrative about them.

The seven music majors to perform are sophomore George Cathey on the piano, sophomore Jairo Varela on piano, freshman Robyn O’Bryant on violin, freshman Luis Ramos and sophomore Jared Paul on marimba, sophomore Mark Salazar on guitar and sophomore Anna Perez will be singing.

Gignac said the pieces covered by these students are primarily pieces from classical composers such as

Frédéric Chopin, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Giacomo Puccini as well as a few contemporary pieces from composers such as Eric Sammut, John Patitucci and Rihards Zalupe.

Cathey said he has been in the music department since spring 2011 and has been playing the piano for five years.

“The recital is a great opportunity to perform to a public audience and gives me the experience to better my career and performance,” he said.

“It is a lot of fun to share the stage with my fellow peers.”

Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 210486-0255.

Though print production for the semester has ended, The Ranger will happily continue to accept your story ideas and calendar items for www.theranger.org.

•

96

years providing women, men, and young people with the education, information, of clients at or below 150% and services needed to make of the federal poverty level. responsible choices about sex of all health services and reproduction. are contraceptive. are age 8 in 10 clients 20 and older.

76%

34%

900,000 clients served by

Planned Parenthood-supported partners in 10 developing countries.

584,000

6 million+ activists, supporters, and donors.

estimated number

Professors nominate majors for performance.

to track products and follow other users for up-to-date prices on items.

“Folks who are watching those products, when they report prices on items, you get an email alert. It’s like Twitter or Facebook, instead of following friends, you’re following products,” Sukraj said.

Sukraj said Flyerbug could show deals that are not advertised in store circulars or commercials.

“We built it to help folks save on groceries, whether it’s time or money, but also help them discover some hidden deals that exist that unfortunately don’t make it into the fliers,” he said. “The average grocery store sells 50,000 products, about eight to 10 percent of them go on sale every week. That’s about 5,000 products that go on sale every single week.”

Sukraj said Flyerbug is working with retailers to increase the amount of sales accessed. A point system is in production to reward contributing users with gift cards to local retailers.

Visit Flyerbug.com or download the mobile app.

of clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancies.

3/4

By Jahna Lacey

“The Speakout contest allows students to test out their public speaking skills with a more diverse audience outside of the classroom,” Ramsey said.

“It also gives everybody else watching to hear the different speaking styles the instructors teach their students.”

Students from this college are highly encouraged to attend and support their classmates.

Speeches must be 10 minutes long and visual aids may be used.

Certificates will be given to those who participate in the preliminary rounds, awards will be given to alternate speakers, and scholarships will be given to those who advance in the finals.

First place wins a $300 scholarship, second place will take $200, and third place receives $150.

Fourth, fifth and sixth places will each receive $100.

“All instructors are encouraged to nominate their students in the Speakout,” Hunt said. “We will hopefully take six students to finals where the winners will receive scholarships.”

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-486-1030.

of unintended pregnancies averted by contraceptive services each year. in male clients 105% increase from 2000 to 2010.

3%

ONLY

Winners are awarded scholarships.

of all services are abortion services

SAConnected

www.theranger.org/calendar

April 15, 2013 • 13

Upcoming

This week Today

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

SPC Deadline: Registration begins for Embodi: Men of Color Conference 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 4 in Heritage Room of campus center. Entries due April 20. Email registration form, found on www.alamo.edu/ spc/embodi-2013/ to mdhrcsat@yahoo.com or fax to 210-486-9081.

SAC Discussion: “Early Years Are Learning Years” panel with Dr. Frances Deviney and Pam Ray 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Room 218 A and B of nursing complex.

Call 210-486-0516.

SAC Religion: Rosary with reflection on the Mysteries and free lunch at 12:15 p.m. in Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland. Call 210736-3752.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday April 22

SAC Deadline: Registration begins for Women Empowered Conference 8 a.m.3 p.m. May 22 and 8 a.m.-noon May 23 in McAllister auditorium.

Register at www.alamo. edu/sac/swans. Entries due May 10. Call 210486-0455.

PAC Meeting: PAC Fit Walking Group 9 a.m. in the central courtyard.

Continues Wednesday and Friday and noon Tuesday and Thursday through May 2. Call 210486-3125.

SAC Lecture: Photojournalism Today with Cynthia Esparza 10:50 a.m. in Room 209 of Loftin. Call 210-486-1769.

SAC Religion: Picnic and Parables with Sister Pat Connelly 12:15 p.m. at Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland. Call 210736-3752.

SAC Health: Meningitis Clinic 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Vaccine is $122, cash or check only. Continues Thursday. Call 210486-0157.

SAC Club: Cheshyre Cheese 2 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales.

Continues Tuesdays.

Call 210-486-0668.

Dance: Baile! with DJ El General. Benefit for Lanier scholarship fund 8 p.m. Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro.

Tickets $7. Call 210227-6868 or 210228-0201.

SAC Religion: Women’s Bible Study 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Church of Christ Student Center, 310 W. Dewey. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210736-6750.

SAC Club: Psychology 2 p.m. in Room 624 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210486-1266.

SAC Club: Student Leadership Awards Banquet by student life 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin by invitation.

Event: Spurs Fan Appreciation Night vs.

Minnesota Timberwolves 7 p.m. at the AT&T Center. Lower level seats $55 or $75, Fan zone seats $25 or $20.

Order at ticketmaster. com. Enter ‘Alamo’ code for discount. Call 210-444-5802.

SAC Career: Mock interview workshop 11 a.m.-noon in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

SAC Music: Live in Loftin featuring reggae 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0128.

SAC Fundraiser: Kick Up Your Heels For Fiesta fashion show 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Koehler. $30 per person. Proceeds go to women’s scholarships.

Dontations of business shoes accepted for The Magic Closet.

Pre-register at www. networkpower texas. com or call 210-8264240.

Festival: 2013 Fiesta Oyster Bake 5 p.m.11 p.m. at St. Mary’s University. Continues 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Saturday.

One-day pre-sale $18, two-day pre-sale $30 at H-E-B. $20 per day at gate.

Children under 12 free.

Call 210-436-3324.

SAC Religion: Bible study and free lunch at United Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Spanish at 11 a.m. English at 12:15 p.m. Continues Thursdays. Call 210733-1441.

Festival: Made in Texas Family Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chávez.

Adults $8, seniors $7 and children 3-11 $6. Free with UTSA or Alamo Colleges ID or membership. Call 210458-2237.

SAC Festival: Nor thside Ar ts Festival by the Alamo City Performing Arts Association 4 p.m.-8 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Tickets for food vendors and $20 for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. performance. Call 210495-0129 to reserve performance tickets.

Call 210-495-2787.

SAC Health: Leadership Forum: Dealing with Adversity and Apathy by student life 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin.

SAC Music: Choir concert 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.

April 23 OLLU Festival: Best of the West Fiesta event 1 p.m.-8 p.m. in Library Circle. Adults $10, college students with ID $5, children 5-17 $5, children 4 and under free. Call 210-4313985 or email alumni@ ollusa.edu.

SAC Health: Free HIV testing and condoms by Project H.O.T. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

Festival: Night in Old San Antonio 5:30 p.m-10:30 p.m. in La Villita Park. Continues through Friday. Adults $12, children $2 and children under 6 free. Call 210-226-5188 or email niosa@niosa.org.

April 24

UIW Festival: Alamo Heights Night 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. throughout the campus. $5 ages 12-17 and students with college ID, $10 adults.

Children under 12 free. Proceeds go to Alamo Heights Rotary Charities. Call 210824-2462.

SAC Performance: ASL Glee Club sign national anthem at Missions game 7 p.m. at the Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, 5757 U.S. 90. Call 210-486-0882.

SAC Music: Alumni concert 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210486-0255.

April 25 SPC Festival: Culture Fest and Rib Cook-off 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Lot 20 of MLK campus. Call 210-486-2135.

SAC Meeting: President’s Round Table 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0134.

Last week

April 26

GALA’s Spring Fling rocks Loftin The Gay, Ally and Lesbian Association hosts its second dance.

Reminder: Fiesta holiday, campus closed.

April 27 SAC Event: “What’s the Big Deal with Solar” by Solar San Antonio and CM Solar 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in Service, Trade and Industry Center. Call 210-486-0417 or email slewis71@alamo.edu.

By Ingrid Wilgen

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The dance floor was a magnet to dancers Saturday at GALA’s second Spring Fling in Loftin Student Center.

DJ John Coronado played what he called mixed audience motivational music.

Whether techno, hip hop, rhythm and blues, Spanish or country, the beat kept the dance floor busy.

“All the ‘shawtys’ in the club … back it up, drop it down” vibrated through the air as about 50 people swayed and lowered their hips in unison to “Wobble” by rap artist V.I.C. The dress code was fierce and not everyone made it past the doormen.

Math sophomore Knovie Warren was turned away for wearing jeans.

He said he did not know about the advertised dress code that asked for semi-formal wear and prohibited jeans, polos, short skirts and dresses, T-shirts and oversized shorts.

Beyoncé Knowles’ hit “Single Ladies” drew dancers into a semicircle around Kevin Abrams, American Sign Language and interpreting sophomore, to watch him get his groove on.

Abrams said he has been dancing since he was a child, and about

SAC Career: Job fair by career services 9 a.m.-noon in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0142 or email lmoreno@alamo.edu.

April 29 SAC Music: Guitar Ensemble 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.

April 30 SPC Music: First Annual Choral Showcase 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in Watson theater. Call 210486-2326.

Kevin Abrams, American Sign Language and Interpreting sophomore, dances a choreography of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” while everybody cheers in the GALA Spring Fling dance in the cafeteria of Loftin. Watch the video at theranger.org. Monica Correa five years ago, started performing in drag.

Toward the end of the event, Rivera polled the crowd, “Are you having fun? Pretty girls and pretty boys need to be rewarded.” With that flourish, the selection for King and Queen of the Fling began.

Dancers shouted the names of those they felt worthy of the crown.

Whoever received the loudest cheers from the crowd became a member of the royal court.

The applause for GALA President Rene Orozco clearly earned him King of the Fling, but a tie-breaker

was needed to determine a queen.

Would it be former mortuary science sophomore Sierra Solano or Abrams?

A walk-off was used to settle the competition; the person with the best catwalk stride would take the crown.

Solano strutted like a runway model, striking a pose at the end of her journey.

But Abrams’ long stride and dance moves drew more cheers, earning him the title of queen.

Students from various Alamo Colleges took part in the dance.

Psychology freshman Lavelle Anthony walked to the campus from West Avenue and Jackson-Keller because he said he had no money for transportation “I love SAC … and I wanted to support my school,” Anthony said.

Spring Fling coordinators Orozco, advertising and public relations sophomore, and business management sophomore Sonya Santiago Rivera said about 100 people attended the event.

At the end of the night, Orozco announced to the crowd, “It was a great success because of all of you.”

May 11 SAC Graduation: 2013 commencement 10 a.m. at Joe Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston. Graduates arrive by 8 a.m.

May 16 SAC Ceremony: Pinning for nursing graduates 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call Chair Lula Pelayo at 210-486-5895.

!

For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

14 • April 15, 2013

News

www.theranger.org/news

Officer awarded for lifesaving at accident Patrolman credits previous experience as volunteer fire fighter.

The San Antonio Express-News reported the car was a Nissan Altima estimated to be traveling 80 mph.

The car driver took evasive action, but lost control of the vehicle.

The car hit a bridge guardrail, landed upside down in Medio Creek and caught fire.

The collision happened a half mile from Loop 410 near Fischer Road.

Logan radioed for back up and scrambled down to the creek.

A male and female were partially ejected from the burning vehicle.

Logan helped the woman, later identified as Annabel Moreno, 21, in the San Antonio Express-News.

When he helped Moreno out of the car, she said her legs hurt, making the walk up to the road from the creek difficult, Logan said.

Halfway up to the road, a passer-by who witnessed the collision stepped in to help Logan bring the woman the rest of the way up.

Moreno was rushed to University Hospital in critical condition.

Meanwhile, first responders arrived and five fire fighters worked to remove the driver from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The driver information could not obtained by press time.

Logan said that Moreno has since called to thank him.

and child dependents. Tuition assistance for “We believe (taking courses to improve adjuncts, retirees and spouses will be discon- wellness) contributes to their performance as tinued. employees,” she said.

Tuition assistance will be provided only after “It’s a big change and what we’ve discussed the employee or dependent has successfully is just the need to keep as much of it familiar as completed their course work. possible. … It’s going to change and we know Up to $2,200 per academic year to cover that.” tuition and fees, net of finanLuna said she doesn’t see cial aid, can be given to a “big negative outcome” We’re already employees. coming from the newly prohaving trouble Up to 75 percent of posed program. getting adjuncts tuition and fees at the Alamo “Change is change. Some Colleges, net of financial aid, people can adjust to it a lot in many fields. We can be given to child depenbetter then others,” she said. don’t add salary dents.

“People will still have the ... and we take a Tuition assistance for opportunity to better there benefit. It sounds employees will be provided to education and that’s a benefit like this is not a employees who fall in to two we don’t want to lose.” good place that categories: Employees seekLuna said she thinks the values adjuncts. ing a first associate, bachelor, new program will be “cleanJerry Townsend er.” master’s degree or Ph.D. relatAdjunct Faculty ed to work performed at the “I think that everyone will Council Chair have a cleaner record of what Alamo Colleges, or employees seeking to improve their skills they’re doing and what they related to work performed at can do and what they need to the Alamo Colleges although not pursuing a do with what they’ve chosen,” she said. degree.

Faculty Senate Chair Larry Rosinbaum said Employees seeking a first degree must have he sent an email March 25 to all employees a degree plan. asking for comments to the proposed recomFor an associate degree, assistance will mendations. cover up to the first 60 credit hours, or more He said about 40 comments were received. only when required by degree plan.

He said some employees wanted to keep the Coverage for private lessons, repeated original program and some were concerned courses and employees seeking a second degree that spouses and adjuncts would be cut out. will be discontinued.

Rosinbaum said he couldn’t say whether any The program will cover credit and non-cred- of the recommendations were reasonable or it courses as required by an employee supervi- unreasonable because he doesn’t know enough sor for employees who are not seeking a degree about it. but want to improve their skills related to their “I looked briefly at what was done in the current job. past and I look at what was now and I see them Dependents must have a degree plan to be making cuts,” he said. eligible for tuition assistance for courses taken “The reasons they give, if what their saying at the Alamo Colleges. For an associate degree, is true, the district, because of dollar restraints, assistance will cover up to the first 60 credit are trying to save money.” hours, or more only when required by degree Rosinbaum said part of the new recommenplan. dations is to control abuse to the program when Anelia Luna, Staff Council president, said employees or dependents would take the same the council’s biggest concern is making sure class twice or not finish the class. the program still covers kinesiology courses so “You may think about the spouses and the employees can better their wellness. adjuncts, well why not? Well, the reality is not

too many of them used it,” Rosinbaum said.

Last year, eight retirees and 23 adjuncts were covered by the tuition assistance program.

Jerry Townsend, Adjunct Faculty Council chair, said he doesn’t agree with adjuncts being excluded from the benefit because they are involved in direct services to the students.

“I can see having a limit maybe but not excluding them entirely,” he said.

Townsend said benefits, such as tuition assistance, is one of the reasons why adjuncts choose to teach at the Alamo Colleges.

“We’re already having trouble getting adjuncts in many fields. We don’t add any salary … and then we take a benefit. It sounds like this is not a good place that values adjuncts,” he said.

Townsend says there’s a better learning environment for students if the district attracts employees that are motivated, hard working and value education.

He said employees who meet those characteristics want the ETAP benefit in order for themselves to grow and improve.

Townsend said a lot of the recommendations, including excluding first year employees, retirees and spouses from the program and not offering coverage of private lessons and repeated courses, are understandable.

He said by offering ETAP, the district is telling employees that education is important and they support employees in taking advantage of improving themselves.

“So to remove part of it is making the opposite statement that education is not something we’re willing to pay for or support,” Townsend said.

He said he appreciates that employee opinions are being considered and arguments are being heard.

“Whatever happens, we’ll take into accountable ideas from a lot of people,” Townsend said.

“We want to retain the idea of encouraging our employees in the district to advance themselves. That’s what community colleges are about in the first place is helping people climb the ladder of success in life and if we do it for students and we don’t do it for our employees, I think we’re doing the students a disservice,” he said.

By Jennifer Luna

jluna217@student.alamo.edu

The board of trustees presented a lifesaving award to patrolman Jonathan Logan for his heroism in helping a woman from a burning car.

The presentation was during the March 26 regular board meeting at Killen Center.

Logan said in an interview April 5 that his initial reaction after seeing the car falling over the bridge was “seeing if I could help.”

He credited his experience as a volunteer fire fighter with making him familiar with dealing with flames.

Logan received his peace officer license in 2006 and has worked for the district police department for more than four years.

He works nights and “floats” between Palo Alto College and the other Alamo Colleges.

Chief Don Adams said Logan was on his way to Palo Alto College after his nightly rounds at the college district’s First Responders Academy on Herring Road in Von Ormy off Interstate 35.

It was about 3 a.m. March 14.

From ETAP, Page 1 She said trying to get employees to reimburse the tuition was “a very inefficient process and not a very good process in terms of employee relations.”

Boyer-Owens said the human resources department worked with Faculty Senate, Super Senate and the Unified Staff Council.

“We want to give everyone the chance to know about it and give us their suggestions,” she said.

The current program covers all employees who qualify for benefits, regardless of their length of service. Retirees are also eligible.

With the current program, district paid all tuition and fees for up to six semester hours and 75 percent of tuition and fees for up to four semesters hours in excess of six; all tuition and fees and release time during work hours equal to the course length for job-related continuing education courses for up to 32 hours per fiscal year; and all tuition and fees for unlimited continuing education courses taken on the employees own time.

The maximum allowance for the current ETAP benefits is $1,700 per fiscal year per employee.

If an employee dropped or completed the course with a grade below a “C,” they would have to reimburse the district. If employment ended within four calendar weeks after the first day of classes of the fall and spring semesters, or during the first week of summer school classes, the employee will be billed for the tuition and fee charges.

The current program also listed adjunct faculty, who do not qualify for benefits, as eligible for limited coverage.

Limited coverage is up to $150 per semester tuition.

An email sent April 1 to all employees on behalf of human resources, detailed recommendations.

According to the April Fools’ Day message, the existing program will be transitioned into a reimbursement program.

Courses covered by the program must be related to a job offered at the Alamo Colleges.

The proposed program would cover fulltime employees with at least one year of service

Patrolman Jonathan Logan, right, thanks the Alamo Colleges board of trustees for awarding him a lifesaving award during the regular board meeting March 26. Chief Don Adams, left, introduced Logan and presented the award. Daniel Arguelles Adams related the events as follows: Logan spotted a car driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate-35. He spun the squad car to avoid being hit, but then the errant car was driving toward an 18-wheeler.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Instructor will demonstrate escape moves in taekwondo and hapkido.

martial art that combines combat and self-defense techniques with sport and exercise.

He will demonstrate taekwondo and hapkido, another Korean

By Carolina D. Vela martial art, showing how to break free from a chokehold or seisac-ranger@alamo.edu zure by the hair or wrist.

Learn how to protect yourself during two free presentations Students will be asked to participate during the event to do of “Safe Escape” with a martial arts instructor. some of the physical maneuvers.

The purpose of the presentation is for stu“We want to make sure that students know dents to prevent an attack and to be able to run the skills that help them be safe in case of Sexual Assault 101: and escape from assailants. attack,” student conduct officer Tracy Floyd Laws and Myths Come ready to learn from 1:50 p.m.–3:50 said.

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-noon April 22 in the The presentation is free and open to stuin Fiesta Room Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. dents, staff and faculty. of Loftin The event takes place during April’s Sexual Students attending the workshop will be Assault Awareness Month. asked to sign the “One Student” pledge, which The college’s student affairs department encourages students to promote sexual assault partnered with the Women’s Empowerment Center at 703 awareness.

Howard St. to host the event.

She said students who have classes at night or feel they are Jason Juarez, martial arts instructor and owner of the San being followed by an individual can be escorted to their cars by Antonio Taekwondo Headquarters Academy, will demonstrate campus police. escape techniques.

The Alamo Colleges police department has uniformed stateJuarez is a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo, a Korean certified peace officers on patrol 24 hours a day, year-round.

!

Participants compete during a 54kg Taekwondo match at Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 7, 2006. AccuNet/AP multimedia For more information, call Floyd 210-486-0906.

For emergencies, call district police at 210-222-0911. For nonemergencies, call the 24-hour dispatch at 210-485-0095.

Terrorism topic brings big crowd to Hot Potato Former counterterrorism expert says doing nothing against terrorism is “unacceptable.”

By Henry M. Martinez Jr. sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Dan Sanchez, social sciences and humanities adjunct, drew more than 50 students Tuesday to the Hot Potato lecture.

Before beginning his lecture, Sanchez said he was a counterterrorism expert 30 years ago and the practices he learned would be different than what is happening now, but the essentials are the same.

Sanchez worked from 1979-1983 with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s counterterrorism Southern European Task Force.

Sanchez said they would gather information it was “pretty cool what [Sanchez] does.” using things like wire taps and infrared.

Malvido said “cameras and torture” were More unconventional ways came from simple related to things he had seen in movies. things like talking to a bartender.

“Terrorism is crime, poliSanchez did exactly that tics, warfare, communication Terrorism is crime, when seeking information. and religion,” Sanchez said, politics, warfare, He was able to get that calling these “five useful percommunication information from a bartender spectives.” and religion. where the person he sought Sanchez ended saying “to Dan Sanchez was rumored to hang around. do nothing is unacceptable.” adjunct The bartender knew who The Hot Potato is every Sanchez was looking for, Tuesday and, at the end of the enabling him to make the lecture, students are treated to arrest because Sanchez believes terrorists should a free hot potato. be treated as criminals.

Malvido called it a “good lecture” and said he Business freshman Nathan Malvido thought would return for another session.

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History Professor Sean Duffy will speak on Afghanistan Tuesday at the Hot Potato Lecture at the Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap Place.

Following the discussion, baked potatoes are served.

For more information, call 210-733-1441.

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Fiesta

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By Emily Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Fiesta, the most anticipated citywide celebration, is around the corner.

Fiesta is a 10-day celebration throughout the city that includes parades, carnivals and other cultural events. It will begin Thursday and will run until April 28.

The event began in 1891 with a Battle of Flowers as a way to honor those involved in the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto for Texas Independence.

According to Dustin Turner, director of communication

and consumer marketing of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, it is expected that 3.7 million people will attend at least one Fiesta event.

Turner said that there are at least 75,000 volunteers helping to staff the events and booths.

“There’s volunteers that make arts and crafts to sell in the store, there’s volunteers that work with our recycling initiative that we’re working on, and there’s volunteers that man the booths and sell the items, do the set up, decorating and the tear down,” Turner said. “Really the whole event is run by volunteers.”

Turner said the event is estimated to have a $300 million economic impact on the city.

Fiesta produces almost $300 million for economy

By Jennifer Luna

jluna217@student.alamo.edu

Each dollar spent during Fiesta funds scholarships and charities.

There are 100 official scholarship events for Fiesta, and each event is sponsored by a local nonprofit or a military organization.

Dustin Turner, director of communications and consumer marketing of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, said there are 3.7 million people who attend at least one Fiesta event, and 20 percent of them are from out of town.

Turner said each royalty during Fiesta serves a purpose.

King Antonio gives charity to children and this year will donate half a million dollars to charities.

King Antonio is part of the Texas Cavaliers, a group founded in 1926

by John B. Carrington. The Cavaliers have sponsored the River Parade since 1941. During the parade, 45 floats sail the San Antonio River and draws about 250,000 people each year. Money earned from the parade goes to the Texas Cavaliers Charitable fund to support children’s charities and organizations. So far, they have raised about $2 million in 20 years, according to texascavaliers. org. In 2012, they raised $200,000 and helped 900 children through donations and supporting programs

Graphics by Juan Carlos Campos

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16 • April 15, 2013

across the city.

The Cavaliers include more than 500 business, civic and community leaders who promote the courage of the men who fought at the Alamo.

Miss Fiesta also makes a presence during Fiesta. Linda Skop, program coordinator of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission said this year’s Miss Fiesta was chosen based on her platform; she works at Gold’s Gym and will advocate health and fitness.

El Rey Feo, The Ugly King, comes from a medieval tradition in which peasants would select a king of their own for a day. The first King crowned was in 1947, and candidates for the title raise money for college students.

This year El Rey Feo is going to schools advocating the importance of education, Turner said. According to reyfeoscholarship.com, the Rey Feo Scholarship fund has raised over $3 million in scholarships for students pursuing higher education since 1947.

La Reina de la Feria de las Flores is part of the Rey Feo scholarship, a multigenerational scholarship, Turner said.

Royalty visits schools, nursing homes and Fiesta events.

Fiesta generates $284 million to the local economy.

“What is unique about Fiesta is each event is put on by a local nonprofit and we partner with those nonprofits,” Turner said.

“We call it party with a purpose; it’s 11 days, but the effects are all year round.”

The money made goes to the nonprofit groups that sponsor events. They use the money to fund their causes or to create scholarships.

“For example, NIOSA (Night in Old San Antonio) is run by the San Antonio Conservation Society, they use their money year round to preserve the history of San Antonio. The Oyster Bake, there money goes back into scholarships for students of St. Mary’s,” Turner said.

Popular Fiesta events are NIOSA, the Battle of Flowers Parade, King William Fair, Fiesta Del Rey and the Fiesta Flambeau parade.

Fiesta offers a College Night event held April 23.

Turner offered tips for first time Fiesta goers.

“Dress comfortably. There are over 100 events; I would determine what your interests are. Do you like music, are you more of a foodie or do you want to see more of a cultural thing? And try to divide events by that,” he said. “Cascarónes are definitely a must for a first timer. Just make sure that you take care of yourself.”

For more information and a calendar of events, call the Fiesta San Antonio Commission at 210-227-5191 or visit fiesta-sa.org.

FunFest brings Fiesta fun

By Carolina D. Vela sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The office of student life is bringing Fiesta on campus with FunFest 9 a.m.1 p.m. April 24 in the mall.

The event is sanctioned as a Fiesta San Antonio event.

Fiesta begins Thursday and continues to April 28.

Fiesta, the city’s largest event, started in 1891 to honor battles at the Alamo and San Jacinto, which

ended Mexico’s control of Texas and marked the birth of a new nation.

Over 3 million people fill the city each year to enjoy over 100 events all over the city. It takes the help of 75,000 volunteers to make it happen.

FunFest will feature the “Show us your Shoes!” contest and the “Viva Fiesta!” hat parade.

Students will be showing off their joyfully adorned hats and shoes.

“Students have to be creative and funny with their hat and shoe creations,” student activities Specialist Carrie Hernandez said.

First, second and third place winners will be announced during FunFest at noon and will receive

an official Fiesta T-shirt and six SAC Fiesta medals to share and trade.

To enter the contest, apply at orgsync.com. Entries must be in by April 22.

Student organizations will be selling food and drinks including fruit cups, beef fajita tacos, sausage wraps, hot dogs, Frito pies, beef sliders and donuts. There will also be live music performed by indie rock band Langton Drive.

Secretary Mary Schlabig said proceeds from the event will benefit club activities.

For more info, visit fiesta-sa.org or contact Hernandez at 210-4860128 or chernandez@alamo.edu.

PACfest 2013 brings San Antonio music scene to Palo Alto College

By Henry M. Martinez Jr. sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Palo Alto College brings Fiesta San Antonio to the South Side for PACfest 2013.

The event is at 10:45 a.m.- 9 p.m. April 25 at Palo Alto, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. The event is alcohol free and familyfriendly. It is projected to have 6,000 to 9,000 guests.

After 4 p.m., parking is $5 without a current Alamo Colleges parking permit.

Award-winning Tejano musician and San Antonio native Jay Perez, also called “The Voice” by his fans, will be headlining the night.

In the Tejano Music Awards, Perez was named Male Vocalist of the Year in 2000, 2003-2008 and 2010.

Miss Fiesta 2005, Erica Gonzaba, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

PACfest brings together the diversity of San Antonio’s music scene by showcasing eight acts spanning genres from mariachi to southern rock.

Mariachi Palomino, Palo Alto’s own mariachi group, will be the first to kick off the festivities.

Also scheduled to perform are indie rock trio Pop Pistol; the top three contenders of PAC’s Got Talent and Elora and Gasoline Alley Female rock trio; Heather Go Psycho; country/southern rock group Mario Flores & Soda Creek Band; and Bombasta.

Along with music, there also will be about “35 food art and craft vendors participate in the event,” said

Carmen Velasquez, director of student engagement and retention for Palo Alto.

Generations Federal Credit Union, Wells Fargo, AARP, Schneider Electric and Gonzaba Medical Group help sponsor PACfest.

Since 2003, PACfest has been officially sanctioned a Fiesta San Antonio event.

The event is free, open to the public and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

For more information, call the office of student engagement and retention at 210-486-3125 or visit Alamo.edu/pac/ pacfest2013/.

PACfest bands

Mariachi Palomino 10:45 a.m.

Pop Pistol 11:30 a.m.

PAC’s Got Talent Winners and Elora and the Gasoline Alley Band 1 p.m.

Heather Go Psycho 2:30 p.m.

Mario Flores & Soda Creek Band 4 p.m.

Bombasta 5:30 p.m.

Jay Perez 7:30 p.m.