The Ranger 9-19-2011

Vol. 86 Issue 2

Single copies free

Sept. 19, 2011

THE RANGER A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

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Calendar

2 • Sept. 19, 2011 For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

Today

The Ranger

at noon in Room 613 of Moody. Call 210486-0593.

in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-0255.

SAC Event: Money matters series “Credit” hosted by the office of student life 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0126.

Sept. 27 Oct. 1 SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Contest: Friends Don’t Let Friends Flunk video contest at Flunk Me Please on Facebook. Entries accepted through Oct. 1 with voting through Oct. 15. Call 210-486-1360.

SAC Event: Values Based Leadership 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin.

Continues Thursday. Call 210-486-0125.

SPC Event: One American Spirit – Unity, Strength, Leadership: A visual art exhibition 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. on first floor of the center for learning resources. Continues Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Call 210486-2330.

SAC Event: Résumé writing workshop 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

SAC Event: “Choose a Major and Career You’ll Love” for 10 participants 4:30 p.m.-5:50 p.m. in Room 176 of Moody.

Continues Tuesday for eight weeks. Call 210-486-0378.

SAC Event: Department of creative multimedia art reception 2 p.m.-4 p.m. on third floor of Moody. Call 210-486-0577.

Sept. 28

SAC Transfer: Dallas Baptist University 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Meeting: Students United for the DREAM Act 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. in cafeteria of Loftin. Continues Thursday. Call 210683-5879.

SAC Transfer: Texas State UniversitySan Marcos 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in transfer center by appointment. Call 210486-0864.

SAC Event: Salsa dance lessons 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room in Loftin. Call 210-486-0128.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

Thursday

SAC Recital: Faculty Brass 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in transfer center by appointment. Continues 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 30. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in transfer center by appointment. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: Pizza with the President noon-1 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0125.

Friday Sept. 29

SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon-1 p.m. in faculty and staff lounge of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Movie: Outdoor movie “The Green Lantern” 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. in mall.

Call 210-486-0125.

Tuesday

Saturday

SAC Event: “Jeopardy” 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

Wednesday

SAC Event: Student Leadership Retreat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Sept. 26 SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0128.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in transfer center by appointment.

Continues 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Friday. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: Model auditions 2 p.m.-5 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 4860128.

SAC Meeting: Black Student Alliance

SAC Recital: Faculty Guitar 7:30 p.m.

University-San Antonio 1 p.m.-5 p.m. by appointment in transfer center. Call 210486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Concordia University 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

NVC Play: One Act Plays 8 p.m. in Palmetto Black Box Theater. Continues through Oct. 1. Call 210-4864824.

Sept. 30 SAC Band: Elijah Zane Band 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M

Exhibit: Griff Smith’s “Texas: A Retrospective through the Lens & Images from Texas Highways” 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Free with Alamo Colleges ID, others $8-$6.

Continues Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 210-458-2300.

Oct. 3 SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. by appointment in transfer center. Call 210486-0864.

Oct. 4 SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: Student activity fee training sponsored by office of student life 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in craft room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: Defining Leadership sponsored by office of student life 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Continues 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Oct. 5. Call 210-486-0125.

Oct. 5 SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Music: Wind and Brass Ensembles directed by Mark Denison and Peter Kline 2 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College AC: Alamo Colleges

The Ranger

News

Sept. 19, 2011 • 3

BioSpot right spot for study, tutors, java

By Faith Duarte The BioSpot offers learning services for students enrolled in anatomy and physiology, biology, microbiology and nutrition courses.

The facility, in Room 350 of Chance Academic Center, provides study rooms, microscopes, slides, plastic organ models and access to a library of textbooks and more than 350 VHS tapes and DVDs available for checkout to reinforce materials taught in lectures and labs. It also provides free coffee for students studying there and accepts donations for supplies.

“It makes a nice community for learning,” Dr. Robyn McGilloway, professor and director of the BioSpot, said.

Next door, the biology computer lab offers 31 workstations, where students can access the Internet and software pertaining to coursework.

The computer lab doesn’t permit the use of flash drives or provide printing services.

McGilloway said the facility has been able to weather some budget cuts but stopped its printing services because of cost.

The center also used to employ a tutor, but funding caused the position to be cut so now the tutor volunteers. Full-time and adjunct professors spend one to two office hours a week in the BioSpot for tutoring.

Their schedules are posted at the entrance of the facility. “To students, it’s less threatening than being in an office setting,” McGilloway said.

The BioSpot requires students to sign in so the department can track their progress in comparison to those who don’t use the facility.

“You go down there, and everybody’s friendly. It’s a nice place to learn.”

The BioSpot is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday

Occupational therapy sophomore Bernadette Rios and nursing sophomores Sabas Garza and Amy Hughes study the anatomy of the heart in the BioSpot Thursday in Chance.

Rachael Emond and Wednesday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. A valid college ID is required. For more information, call 210-486-0860.

Funding available for student groups

By J. Almendarez The Student Activity Fee Committee allocates $50,000 of $400,000 collected from the student activity fee to clubs registered with the office of student life.

Students pay $1 per credit hour each semester, which funds activities on campus.

On Sept. 7 the office of student life offered training for applying for student activity fee funds.

Applicants must attend at least one training session to apply for funds. The next training session is 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the craft room of Loftin Student Center.

Mark Bigelow, assistant coordinator of student life, said asking for money to attend a conference or create a project begins with an idea benefitting club members and other students here.

The office mandates that clubs and organizations must have at least five active members with a minimum 2.0 GPA and be enrolled in six semester hours the semester they participate.

Process to apply Create an account at Orgsync.com.

Then, click on “Join an Org” and join the campus activities board.

On the left side of the Web page, click “forms.”

Click “2011-2012 Budget Requests.”

Fill out all required fields.

Submit.

Every group must also have at least one faculty or staff adviser.

A club or organization must write a letter explaining why funds are being sought, how contributions will be sought from outside sources and what has been done in the past to make the group worthy of funding.

A detailed budget must be provided and include all expenses the group anticipates, which can be presented on a spreadsheet.

Bigelow said to include other information that could influence a decision, such as brochures from a conference, pictures of previous

trips or fundraisers, links to a conference website and a demonstration of how information will be presented to others on campus.

These items can be submitted in Room 260 of Loftin.

“We plan this with the idea that you’re going to be benefitted in some way,” he said.

The next committee meeting is at 4 p.m. Oct. 6 in Room 305 of Fletcher Administration Center.

All applications must be submitted two weeks before a Student Activity Fee Committee meeting. The committee meets the first Thursday of every month in fall and spring. The meetings are closed to the public.

The committee is composed of five students appointed by the Student Government Association and four faculty or staff members appointed by the college president.

Applicants will receive notice two to three days after the meeting.

If funding is denied, revised applications can be resubmitted or an appeal can be made at the next committee meeting.

Club members can present an

appeal to the committee but are not allowed to stay in the meeting to hear discussion.

If applicants are awarded funds, timelines have to be followed to access the funds. Paid speakers and contracted services have to be an approved Alamo Colleges vendor and a vendor application fee must be submitted to the office two weeks before the date desired to allow for processing.

Speakers must sign a contract at least 45 days ahead. The contract can be found at https://orgsync. com/31957/files/index/122951.

For events that involve travel require an out-of-town travel authorization report, there is a minimum wait of two weeks for in-state travel, four weeks for outof-state travel and six weeks for out-of-country travel.

Students traveling to an event must also write a one-page reflective paper describing their experience. Presentations of the trip must be coordinated with the office.

Knowing the process is lengthy Bigelow said, “use your time wisely.”

4 • Sept. 19, 2011

People

The Ranger Coach Roger Molina instructs players on the setup and execution while kinesiology freshman Ashley Cosio takes a shot during practice Tuesday at Kampmann Boulevard and West Mulberry Street Soccer Complex, 5103 David Edwards Drive. Rachael Emond

Retired Lt. Gen. Charles Honroe lowers the flag to halfstaff as Lt. Col. Skip Little stands at attention Sept. 9 at the flag pole circle, north of Northeast Lakeview’s library for a “Remembering 9/1110 Years Later” ceremony.

Charis J. Kempen

Corey Garcia, liberal arts freshman, takes advantage of the seclusion and privacy of the wooded and stone-tiered area Wednesday east of Chance to work an English paper. Rennie Murrell A stray dog makes friends with liberal arts sophomore Isaac Gonzales Sept. 12 West of Moody. The dog was spotted again near the gym Wednesday along with two other strays.

Katie Sheridan Digital design freshman Glori Hernandez sings “Come as You Are” by Nirvana Sept. 12 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. She was taking a break between classes and decided to try karaoke, capturing full support of the crowd. Rachael Emond

The Ranger

News

Sept. 19, 2011 • 5

Board to review retirement bonus

By J. Almendarez

mately lead them to decide to work longer.

The Audit, Budget and Finance Employees eligible for retireCommittee unanimously voted ment are mostly tenured faculty Tuesday to recommend the board and have the highest pay, so she of trustees eliminate a 2.5 percent said this would be counterprosubsidy to employees who enrolled ductive to the district, which has in the Optional Retirement Program extended a retirement incentive to between 1967 and 1995. encourage more employees to retire The meeting, slated to begin at the end of the fall semester. at 8:30 p.m., began at 9:49 p.m.

She proposed a compromise However, committee members with committee members to sugwere in executive session until gest that trustees vote to eliminate 10:42 p.m. the ORP incentives in two years.

About two dozen district facElmore-McCrary said this would ulty members were present to hear give people time to better plan for the ORP discussion, but only about their retirement.

8 people remained after the open “They’ve made choices based meeting’s two-hour delay. on what they thought they were Upon returning, trustees going to have,” she said. motioned for legal advisers to Those in attendance applauded review an item discussed in execuher speech afterward. tive session but did not say what Diane Snyder, vice chancellor they needed reviewed. for finance and administration, said Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, the district has $650,000 budgetEnglish profesed for fiscal year The next regular board sor and Alamo 2012 ORP costs, meeting is at 6 p.m.

Colleges Super and could require Tuesday in Room 101 of Senate president, $150,000 more if Killen Center at 201 W. spoke on behalf the district conSheridan. A schedule of faculty grandtinues to offer it, can be found at www. alamo.edu, clicking on fathered into the totaling $800,000 Board of Trustees and ORP. for the subsidies. clicking on Agendas.

She quesShe said the surtioned the ethics plus money would of changing employee benefits after build the fund balance for unanticithey had returned to work at the pated costs. end of August for only two weeks.

District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate Because the fiscal year does not said the state’s funding for benefits begin until Sept. 1, the district has for community college employees the legal right to change contracts was dramatically cut in the past fisuntil then, despite the school acacal year and that has led districts to demic year beginning Aug. 22. have to compensate for the costs of Elmore-McCrary said employ- health care and retirement. ees were working, however, with Within one minute after Elmoregood faith that they would receive McCrary’s presentation, committee the same benefits as the previous members unanimously approved year. She also said about 70 per- a motion recommending trustees cent of employees grandfathered eliminate ORP subsidies Tuesday. into the ORP system are eligible for Some faculty members in retirement, so changing the amount attendance said they thought the of money these potential retirees board’s decision seemed to already are expecting to receive could ultibe made.

Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, English professor and Alamo Colleges Super Senate president, addresses committee members about the importance of ORP subsidies within the district. Jennifer M. Ytuarte “I can see the writing on the wall,” said architecture Professor Isabel Garcia, who will not attend the regular board meeting Tuesday.

She said she was not surprised by the committee’s decision because of the cost-cutting across the district for the past several years.

Elmore-McCrary reminded the board that they have already budgeted money this fiscal year for the ORP supplement.

“It seems to me that it would be prudent to use it for what you had intended,” she said.

She quoted Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart saying, “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.”

Kenny Paterson, client service manager and Unified Staff Council president, was originally planning to address the board about ORP, but said at the meeting that the council decided not to comment about the issue.

The committee unanimously approved a motion for trustees to vote on $100,490 worth of periodical, manual and journal subscriptions for library services; and to extend Patricia Major’s contract as district director of internal audit until Aug. 31 2013.

District purchasing Director Gary O’Bar presented the committee with new competitive bidding

and proposal practices affected by the Texas Legislature this year.

For bidding, the best value criteria can now be decided by any of the standards set forth as opposed to having to be judged on all standards.

District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez clarified that the board of trustees can later vote to make policies requiring certain criteria to be met for specific kinds of projects.

O’Bar said the Legislature now requires competitive sealed proposals to state the offer’s name and price, and requires the district to score all ranked proposals.

The committee also unanimously approved a recommendation to define dual credit classes more accurately.

Snyder said the district will work with independent school districts informing them that dual credit classes can be taken at colleges only if the class is offered at the students’ high school as well.

The district’s legal counsel, Retha Karnes, explained the process using foreign language classes as an example.

If a dual credit student wants to take a German course while their home-school only offers French and Spanish classes, a German class would not be considered dual credit and would have to be paid out of pocket.

6 • Sept. 19, 2011

News

The Ranger

College Council talks SACS report, retirement

By Joshua Fechter Dr. Johnnie Rosenauer, director of Murguia Learning Institute, presented a 168-page accreditation report to College Council Tuesday.

The fifth-year report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is a requirement for accreditation from the association. SACS accredits the college in 10-year cycles.

Rosenauer co-authored the report with grants Coordinator Susan Espinoza.

The report consists of a checklist of educational programs offered; a description of how the institution is governed and general information about the institution; a checklist ensuring continued compliance with core requirements, comprehensive standards and federal requirements; and a report demonstrating the extent the Quality Enhancement Plan has affected student outcomes.

Rosenauer said the document contains 433 Web links that support the report.

President Robert Zeigler said he was pleased with the report and thinks it will be well-received.

Rosenauer said SACS will provide an informal response at a conference Dec. 6 and a formal, written response in January.

In other business, Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, English professor and Faculty Senate chair, said the senate passed a motion recommending to the district that faculty be paid pro rata for courses during the summer.

Pro rata pay means full-time faculty will be paid during the summer at a rate proportional to the rate paid for a 16-week semester.

In a budget-driven and unpopular decision, Chancellor Bruce Leslie, vice chancellors and the presidents of the colleges decided pay for summer 2011 would be decided by lottery within individual departments districtwide to

Enrollment specialist Henry Castillo, Staff Council president, discusses a fundraiser for Haven for Hope during the College Council meeting Tuesday. Katie Sheridan ensure a 50-50 ratio of full-time to adjunct pay.

A pay plan for summer 2012 has not been announced.

Elmore-McCrary also said the district decided to discontinue a

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subsidy to the Optional Retirement Program in participants’ Sept. 15 paychecks.

She said 305 employees remain under the grandfathered rule.

Fiscal year 2012 budgets

$650,000 for the subsidies, but could require $150,000 more if the district continues to offer it, totaling $800,000 for the subsidies.

The board will vote on the ORP at its Sept. 20 regular meeting and could double the supplement in employees’ next paycheck to make up for the missing Sept. 15 installment.

Prior to Sept. 1, 1995, the district had been supplementing monthly retirement contributions to ORP participants at a rate of 2.5 percent.

State legislators in 1995 cut the state’s retirement contribution so after Sept. 1, 1995, the district was allowed to cease supplementing ORPs except to participants grandfathered in.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 In 2003, the state allowed the supplements and an increase to be paid out of local funds.

Leslie directed Diane Snyder, vice chancellor of finance and administration, to search board minutes for subsequent action.

Leslie said by phone Sept. 8 that Snyder found none, and trustees will decide whether to continue the supplement.

Addressing another concern of Faculty Senate, Elmore-McCrary said for employees to receive early retirement incentives, they have to sign an agreement barring them from making disparaging remarks about the district or colleges.

Elmore-McCrary said the senate also voted to host a panel discussion about tenure.

A board discussion on tenure is expected by the end of the semester, trustees said Tuesday.

Dr. Teanna Staggs, biology chair

Sept. 19, 2011 • 7

News

The Ranger

and senate vice chair, is in charge of planning the discussion, and Jeff Hunt, fine arts chair, will moderate. Elmore-McCrary said the senate will invite trustees to the discussion. No date has been set.

Elmore-McCrary invited faculty to speak on tenure during the citizens-to-be-heard portion of theregular board meeting Oct. 18.

Zeigler said there is increasing and ongoing interest in ensuring that district outcomes align with college outcomes, that college outcomes align with division outcomes and division outcomes align with unit outcomes.

Units are departments or offices, and they compose divisions, such as arts and sciences, professional-technical education, and student services.

Zeigler said when faculty submit self-evaulations, they will have to include ways they helped forward the goals of their division.

Professor Alex Bernal is offering $50 to a student who can identify the five symbols that appear on the college seal at 7 a.m.

Thursday on KSYM 90.1 FM’s “The Sauce” hosted

by DJ Hot Mustard.

Dr. Robert Zeigler holds a 168page fifth-year report required for accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Katie Sheridan Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, said this decision came to the Performance Excellence Advisory Group from the Performance Excellence Team.

In other news, Jacob Wong, Student Government Association

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president and psychology sophomore, announced Pizza with the President at noon Monday in the mall. Questions will focus on parking, security and financial aid.

Zeigler suggested bringing financial aid Director Tomás Campos to answer questions.

This meeting was the first time the council met since launching Sharepoint, a college intranet, allowing council members to post reports in advance. Zeigler said this would allow meetings to be more efficient and the council to focus on items that require meaningful attention.

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8 • The Ranger

Hispanic Heritage events Sept. 19 SAC Lecture: Bertha Valdes on “Curanderos” 11 a.m.-11:50 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts center.

Call 486-0125.

SPC Event: Batos y más: Exhibition of recent work

by César Martínez 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Kathryn Morgan Gallery. Continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Oct. 15. Call 210-486–7231.

Sept. 21 PAC Event: Latin dance lessons 11 a.m. in student center annex. Call 210-486-3125.

SPC Event: Mariachi Las Coronelas 11:30 a.m. Southwest Campus, 800 Quintana Road. Call 210-486–7231.

Sept. 22 SAC Lecture: “Mextasy” by Dr. William Nericcio 10:50 a.m. in Room 218 of nursing complex. Call 210-486-0681.

Set. 23 SAC Lecture: “Evils of Human Trafficking” by author Theresa Flores noon in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-486-0125.

Sept. 26 PAC Event: PBS Series: “Children of Revolution” 9 a.m.2 p.m. in Ozuna library. Continues through Sept. 30. Call 210-486-3125.

Sept. 28 SAC Event: Antojitos Festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in mall.

Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: “The Art of Making Tortillas” with Esther Morales Liedecke 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. in craft room in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Oct. 5 SPC Event: 2011 Best Tasting Salsa Scholarship Competition noon–1 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Call 210-486-2318.

Oct. 7 SAC Event: “I Have a DREAM Act” workshop with Students United for the DREAM Act noon.-5 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0651.

Mattel drafts progress with Architect Barbie Architecture professor is not impressed with doll’s attire or image for women architects.

“It should be good because kids love art, but sometimes, they don’t know what’s out there,” Estrada said.

By Sebastian Carter Beli Ponce was not aware of the doll’s exisThis year, Barbie added architect to her collection tence either but was curiof careers, but she met with mixed opinion and design ous about its effectiveness criticism. in balancing out the gender Since 2002, the women of the American Institute gap. of Architecture have lobbied for an Architect Barbie Architecture Professor Isabel in Mattel Inc.’s “I Can Be” contest, according to The Garcia said Architect Barbie is dressed Atlantic. inappropriately and would In 2010, Mattel agreed and invite more sexism. designed it in consultation with She said the doll does University of Buffalo Professor not depict a woman Despina Stratigakos and Kelly properly prepared for Hayes McAlonie, interim vice visiting work sites, president of the University of where most of Buffalo’s Capital Planning Group. the overt sexual According to Places, a journal harassment published by the Design History happens, and Foundation, the American the use of a Institute of Architecture’s memtubed docubership is 83 percent male. ment holder is outTo promote the release of dated as most profesArchitect Barbie, the association sionals now use flash sponsored a contest to design drives.

Barbie’s dream home.

She said she The winning entry was a believes gender 1,500-square-foot home powinequity is not ered by solar panels and other because the profesgreen fixtures, including opersion is not glamorous enough able shading, a low-flow toilet for girls, rather that it is too great Victor Estrada and locally sourced materials to a time commitment for most architecture reduce transportation costs and women. sophomore carbon footprints.

“Most of these women get into According to Architizer, an the program, then fall out after a online community for architects, reactions from AIA few years because they have children before students to the new model of the world famous 11 they finish,” she said. ½-inch fashion doll range from praise, particularly Finishing an education in architecture because one of her accessories is a hardhat, to criticism takes about as long as it takes to become that her wardrobe and equipment are otherwise inap- a doctor. propriate and inadequate for job sites.

Despite the great gender disproSpecifically, high-heeled boots are unsafe to walk portionality in the industry, Garcia through construction sites. said she believes discrimination is Architecture sophomore Victor Estrada said he had becoming less of an issue for women not heard about Barbie’s new career, but he thought the architects. idea sounded good for broadening the perspectives of “I had one of the best experichildren who do not see the importance and beauty of ences of my career working for architecture. men,” she said.

“It should be good, because kids love art, but sometimes, they don’t know what’s out there.”

miere

Sept. 19, 2011 • 9

Scobee stars in celestial soiree

By Faith Duarte In honor of its golden anniversary, the Scobee Planetarium will host a “50 Years under the Stars” celebration from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 8 in Lot 21.

Planetarium Coordinator Bob Kelley said plans are not final for special guests and activities, but the planetarium will present a special show and telescopes will be set up for the public to view the skies.

“Secret Lives of Stars,” narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fame, chronicles the life and death cycles of celestial bodies.

“I think our audience will enjoy the presentation,” Kelley said.

The show premiered 7:45 p.m. Sept. 9 during the planetarium’s first public show of the semester.

Public shows are offered each Friday.

Also featured were “The Little Star That Could” and “Extreme Planets.”

The child-friendly “The Little Star That Could” at 6:30 p.m. tells the story of Little Star, an average yellow star who journeys across the solar system.

Children as young as 4 are allowed into the first show of the evening.

The second two shows are for children 6 and older only.

“Extreme Planets” at 9 p.m. examines the possibility of life on other planets and the conditions necessary for planets to be considered “Earth-like.”

Additional plans for Oct. 8 are not final.

In August 2010, the planetarium became one of the first in Texas to install Digistar 4, a full-dome digital theater system that displays the known universe in three-dimensional graphics.

Kelley said, “It’s interesting to watch presentations change from slide projection to high-definition.”

The San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers will set up telescopes in Lot 21 to

allow the public a good view during International Observe the Moon Night.

This event is free to the public. In case of rain, the celebration will be rescheduled.

Dr. Robert Zeigler, president of this college, said an announcement will be made at the event regarding potential renovations to the planetarium and plans to bring a Challenger Learning Center to this campus.

Since its inception in fall 1961, the planetarium has seen its fair share of change.

It was renamed in July 1994 to honor Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, a former student of this college and commander of the Challenger Space Shuttle, which exploded 73 seconds after takeoff Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven members of the crew.

After the shuttle explosion, the surviving families established the Challenger Center for Space Science Education as a tribute to those who died in the explosion and to inspire future generations.

Now, 48 centers exist throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

A San Antonio location at Brooks City Base opened to the public in 2000, but was closed in 2009 to make room for city development.

Plans for the Challenger Center relocation to this college include architecture, development of a fundraising campaign, a project timeline and cost budgeting.

In addition to the October celebration, Kelley expects to offer four more star parties in the spring and summer semesters.

National Astronomy Day, established to encourage sky gazing, is observed twice annually, May 7 and Oct. 1 this year. National Astronomy Week is Sept. 26-Oct. 2.

Tickets for planetarium shows are $2 for district students, employees and children 4-17; $5 for adults 18-54; and $3 for senior citizens 55 or older.

For more information, call Scobee Planetarium at 210-486-0100.

10 • Sept. 19, 2011

News

Fuel solution under the sea

By Sebastian Carter For drivers worried about the future of fuel, relief may come in the form of pond scum.

Algae are one of many possible solutions in the growing search for alternative fuel sources. Algal fuels, unlike other alternatives, are biodegradable and have negligible effect on the environment if spilled.

That’s what multiple scientists, including Dr. Jalal Rastegary of New Mexico State University’s Institute for Energy and the Environment and Algae-oil.com found.

Dr. Kyle Murray, assistant professor at UTSA, who has been researching algae biofuels two years, insists the possible benefits are much farther reaching.

He said algae could be used as a wastewater treat-

“algaepreneurs” with the creation and operation of algae farms. The National Algae Association, based in The Woodlands, provides many services to farms in their first years and entrepreneurs starting up.

Murray attended two annual association meetings, and he said he sees the great purpose it and organizations like it serve for the algae biofuel movement. “The economics are getting better every day,” he said.

Airlines are experimenting with the biofuel and energy companies are investing. Three years ago, Petrosun Biofuels, an Arizona company, opened an 1,100-acre algae farm near Harlingen. In 2009, Continental Airlines was the first North American airline to perform a test flight with algal fuel, and several others have followed.

ment system considering its ability to safely absorb harmful excesses of nutrients.

Unfortunately, producing algae biofuel comes at a high price. According to a report from Dotyenergy.com, the cheapest known alga available today is about $5,000 a ton, and farming costs are high.

For example, according to American Energy Independence, an Internet magazine featuring news and commentary on America’s path to energy independence, and a report from Michael Briggs, laboratory manager of the University of New Hampshire physics department, annual operating costs for a 250-acre algae farm would be an estimated $1.25 million.

According to the Center for Transportation Analysis at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory the average cost per acre for cotton in 2010 was $729.96, or $182,490 for 250 acres.

Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algal Biomass Organization, told Reuters in November that if granted tax credits, algae fuel can reach price parity with oil by 2018.

Organizations have been popping up nationwide to assist local

The state’s Emerging Technology Fund has shown support for algal fuel: In 2008, it granted $4 million to two groups, General Atomics and Texas AgriLife Research, for microalgae research.

Several methods of algal fuel production exist, and Murray said the science behind finding the best method keeps getting better.

Murray, who is training UTSA students in algal research, said technology is a key factor in cost-effectiveness, as new technology allows for cheaper production.

He is interested in the possibility of coal-firing algae, a new process which grows algae from the CO2 emissions of burning coal.

All alternative fuel ventures are commercially uncertain, but with an evergrowing list of groups researching and producing algal fuels, Murray believes algae has serious potential.

For more information, visit www.nationalalgaeassociation. com/.

The Ranger

The Ranger

News

Sept. 19, 2011 • 11

Book bans fail to end freedoms

By Robert Medina Many books like “Catcher in the Rye,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and recently, the Harry Potter series have been banned because of objections to language, sexuality and magic.

Observed during the last week of September since 1982, Banned Books Week celebrates intellectual freedom by making sure unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints are available to everyone.

“Generally, it’s not appropriate for people to tell you or me what we can and can’t read,” said English Professor Jane Focht-Hansen, cosponsor of the Cheshyre Cheese Club. “When we tell someone what we can and can’t read, we violate their rights.”

Although the Cheshyre Cheese Club has no official plans for Banned Books Week at the moment, club members’ ideas include painting passages from banned books on men and women in bathing suits and having a mock book burning.

In the past, club members have had an information booth on campus to educate students and employees about the negative effects of banning and burning books.

They also regularly sell books on the banned list as a fundraiser.

The Cheshyre Cheese Club is a literacy club that celebrates freedom of expression, promotes literacy, and inspires creativity in the

Nazi Propaganda Minister Hermann Goebbels inspired students to burn “un-German” books May 10, 1933, in Berlin. AccuNet/AP Images

The club hosts an open mic coffee night in Loftin Student Center 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. every third Friday of the month. social sciences and the humanities. Book burnings were effective in suppressing ideas and opinions felt to be damaging to society because books were mostly written by hand rather than mass produced as they are today.

However, electronic media make literature freely available worldwide.

Books are burned for symbolic reasons now, during events such as political and religious rallies.

Club member James D. Lowe Sr. explained the need for free expression. “In order for the best ideas to prove themselves the best, they must be tried and tested in the fires of the open market of the freedom of speech,” the music business sophomore said. “Not only will the best ideas prevail, they will be strengthened by their combat with lesser ideas.”

For more information on club events or to donate banned books, call Focht-Hansen at 210-486-0668.

For a listing of banned books, visit www. ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/.

German students threw a thousand torches on a bonfire May 10, 1933, in Opera Square in Berlin to destroy books considered “degenerate,” including some of Germany’s bestknown authors.

AccuNet/AP Images Nazi Youth participate in burning books, or Buecherverbrennung, in Salzburg, Austria, on April 30, 1938. AccuNet/AP Images

12 • Sept. 19, 2011

Editorial

The Ranger

Juan Carlos Campos

Aim for balance in life “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony,” the writer Thomas Merton said.

As traditionally college-age students, we seem to have boundless energy and a skin thin enough still to experience every moment and especially every emotion deeply.

That is an advantage of youth, but we are also privileged to be enrolled in a first class college with all the opportunity that brings to activate and expand our minds.

Exposure to new ideas is crucial to a solid education. This is the path to critical thinking.

Unfortunately for most students, that opportunity only lies in classrooms at this college.

Activities at this college typically center around mindless fun.

Frequently, the campus feels like high school for all the juvenile goings-on. Glee club, anyone?

While annual budget cuts continue to decrease opportunities here, the college should make an effort to increase the ratio of fun to educational events.

Students may need some incen-

tive to attend educational events, so professors should require attendance at some extracurricular offerings or extend extra credit for those interested in taking advantage of these events.

Students still need to let off steam and relax, but entertainment should not be available at the expense of events that enrich and engage the mind.

Overall, students should strive to find balance in their lives.

If you watch television, make sure to read Shakespeare or some poetry.

If you play video games, try your hand at chess as well.

If you spend a lot of time indoors, make time to breathe fresh air, take a walk and observe the natural world without the aid of a monitor.

If you read a lot of gossip, try a little news now and again.

If you consider yourself a liberal, make yourself read a right-wing blog. Or vice versa.

College years are the ultimate opportunity for growth.

Don’t let these mentors, resources and experiences go to waste.

Health center a bad cut Students no longer have access to treatment for minor injuries at the college health center.

The center has moved from Room 119 of Chance Academic Center to the southeast corner of Loftin’s first floor in a room that is not numbered.

It will no longer offer any over-thecounter drugs or provide first aid services.

Students should get in the habit of carrying first aid necessities such as bandages, antibiotic ointment and over-thecounter pain relievers.

A minor wound or headache is not an excuse to be absent.

Students should know basic first aid precautions on how to treat an open wound.

The health center will only offer advice on health maintenance, disease prevention and self-care.

It will provide lectures and pamphlets endorsing disease prevention through information booths in the mall.

Students should take advantage of the variety of wellness events on campus.

Stay healthy, be smart and take proper care of yourself on campus.

The Ranger

Opinion

Sept. 19, 2011 • 13

Break-in leaves student mad, but philosophical Sept. 6 began as a perfect day back to school, after the sports-filled Labor Day weekend.

My day ended with damages.

I finished my classes for the day and worked for a bit on a photo for The Ranger.

I walked toward my 2001 Hyundai Sonata in the parking garage and noticed something didn’t look right.

The windows on the car have Viewpoint by Celeste Kulla a pretty dark tint, yet one of the windows looked too clear. A gut feeling formed inside me that something bad had happened. As I moved closer, my fears were verified.

Shattered glass lay on the concrete next to the right side of my car. My rear right passenger window had been completely smashed in.

My next thought, “What was taken?”

When I approached my vehicle and peered inside, I noticed that something was indeed missing.

That morning I left only two items in the backseat: a skirt, tied up inside a grocery bag, and a Vera Bradley Poppy print lunchbox I stuffed under the front passenger seat before running to the newsroom. The only item missing was indeed my lunchbox.

My lunchbox! I don’t understand how someone can smash someone else’s window and only take a lunchbox.

If someone is going to steal in such a way, do it right!

I don’t promote theft, of course, but it’s almost humorous.

Go through all that trouble to smash in a window — to take my lunch — $139 worth of damage for an item that cost $21.

I was shocked, angry, scared, mad and relieved all at the same time.

The shock and anger are pretty self-explanatory, but the relief was only because the perpetrator had stolen just my lunchbox and hadn’t proceeded to create further damage.

It’s almost embarrassing to say that my car had been broken into and the only thing taken was a lunchbox.

Most people would have a dramatic story of a stolen radio, purse,

backpack, laptop, or some other electronic devices, but my dramatic story begins and ends with a floral print and empty stomach.

It makes me wonder why my car was targeted. Why me? What made that person pick my specific car when they could barely see inside?

They risked jail time for a measly lunchbox. It makes me curious to know whether it was worth it.

It almost makes me laugh thinking about what his face might look like when he opens it up to find some crackers, hummus, and a little container of raw honey, instead of a wallet or whatever he was hoping for.

Now it makes me nervous to leave my car alone, since the reason for smashing the window was for the simple fact that I could possibly have something of value inside.

If the cause is for something as trivial as that, then it almost feels as if nowhere and no one is safe.

It may have been a fluke, or maybe there was a purpose.

I will never know.

Sure, I am going to be more paranoid now probably more than ever, but I will continue to think of it as a learning experience.

Who knows when someone might be searching for some good homemade hummus.

CAREER TRAINING. MONEY FOR COLLEGE.

AND AN ENTIRE TEAM TO HELP YOU SUCCEED. 10886_ANG_TX_Ranger_7.5x2.5in.indd 1

8/25/11 11:43 AM

14 • Sept. 19, 2011

Opinion

The Ranger

Silence is censorship I sometimes imagine the words “accountability” and “truth” as artifacts. They are an earthy, dull color covered in grit and threatening to crumble if handled carelessly.

But, the important Viewpoint by thing is that I imagine J. Almendarez they still exist.

It seems, however, people in this district have become frustrated caring for these words.

Trustees hear grievances from Faculty Senate about the need for shared governance but continue to ignore its advice.

The director of student life requires people concerned with the office’s decisions to email him rather than telephoning him or meeting in person.

The Student Activity Fee Committee meetings, in which decisions on spending $400,000 a semester collected from students, are not open to students.

But, all is not lost, yet.

There are people who have taken the time

Letters to the Editor

to polish and understand the words “accountability” and “truth.”

For instance, President Robert Zeigler returns phone calls and seems to answer questions to the best of his knowledge. And, the information people are seeking from him is not sports trivia or fashion advice.

He, like other key officials in the district, is in a position of power in a very trying time.

Since 2002, the state of Texas has decreased its funding for community colleges by 40 percent. Unfortunately, prices haven’t dropped accordingly.

Cuts in services and hikes in tuition have become routine and an increase in both is likely in coming semesters.

Yet, Zeigler continues to practice accountability and truth. He makes hard decisions about where to cut the school’s budget and faces the equally hard task of explaining the administration’s choices.

This is where The Ranger comes in.

Staff members have served as a medium of communication throughout the district since 1926, bridging a communication gap between faculty, staff, students and administrators.

The Ranger considered me worthy enough to contact me on Farewell, SAC these occasions; I always respected The Ranger’s reporting.

Editor: Now is the time to say thank In our lives, times you to everyone whom come when we have I met here. to make some painBy the way, The ful decisions. For Ranger also was me, leaving SAC is responsible for sealing definitely one of those. my fate and breaking Since 1985, SAC had my marriage arrangebeen my life. I met ment in Pakistan. thousands of fantastic When I sent a Abdul Qudus students, great colcopy of 1986 article to leagues and marvelous Pakistan, the guardsupporting staff. ians of my soon-to-be bride My relationship with The thought I was “too American,” and Ranger goes back to spring 1986 my open-mindedness was considwhen an article about me was ered a flaw. published. Since then, The Ranger I did not protest. The USA covered my lectures and field became my home. trips. I was contacted after earthNow I am leaving. Once my quakes, Katrina and after the tragphysical presence ends here, then edy of Sept. 11, 2001.

I will be found in cyberspace.

The Ranger is this college’s student-run news organization that publishes a newspaper and website.

Writers, editors, photographers and illustrators contributing to The Ranger are learning the fundamentals of newswriting and reporting.

They are also subject to the ethics set by journalism professional groups.

The Society of Professional Journalists promotes seeking the truth and reporting it, acting independently, minimizing harm and being accountable as ethics of trade.

We learn that when people are not accountable for their actions, there are no bridges.

In this district, that means no communication and, therefore, no transparency.

When reporters call sources who don’t respond for a week; when sources demand email interviews, preventing follow-up questions and observation of body language; and when sources flat out refuse to comment, where is the accountability and truth?

These are matters affecting almost 65,000 students.

The silence and alternating garbled transmission are tantamount to censorship.

I may be taking marine geology courses and doing some research, learning to sail on high seas, if possible, learning to play guitar or bagpipes, or just roaming in the wilderness of Maine.

And when I get tired, I will sit on the bank of a river or lake and listen to some poetry and sip some drink.

Goodbye and good luck to everyone who is a part of this great college.

Abdul Qudus Earth Sciences, retired

Ticket or free parking Editor: At the ACCD colleges, students and employees are required to purchase a $50 hangtag to park in designated lots.

I’m not sure how it is at the other colleges, but at St. Philip’s

College, anyone seems to be able to park anywhere without consequences.

I spent my $50 on my permit, yet every day, parked in the faculty/staff lot, there are numerous student vehicles, other faculty/ staff vehicles with expired permits, vehicles with no permits, and some days, a vehicle with no current license plate tag, inspection sticker or hangtag.

Yet again, no consequences.

If district police do not want to write tickets for parking illegally, then please, either get rid of paid parking altogether or hire a thirdparty vendor to issue tickets.

It isn’t fair to all of us who pay our hard-earned money to park legally, only to find others get away without ever spending a penny for parking.

Andrew Lamza Science Lab Tech

The Ranger

Trustees District 1: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive San Antonio TX 78228 Cell: 210-863-9500 Home: 210-434-6967 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com, jalderete21@alamo.edu District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 210-281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com, dmcclendon2@alamo.edu District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 210-882-1609 Home: 210-921-2986 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio TX 78211 No telephone number provided Board of trustees liaison: 210-485-0030 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio TX 78251 No telephone number provided E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way Helotes TX 78023 Work: 210-567-4865 E-mail: sprague1@alamo.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 3707 N. St. Mary Street San Antonio TX 78212 Work: 210-538-9935 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu, bfernandez@tuggeyllp.com District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio TX 78232 Home: 210-496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 13315 Thessaly, Universal City, TX 78148 Home: 210-828-4630 Work: 210-375-2555 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu

Administrators Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio TX 78204-1429 Work: 210-485-0020 Fax: 210-486-9166 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 210-486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 210-486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 210-486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 210-486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 210-486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu

Sept. 19, 2011 • 15

Web Editor Jacob Beltran

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.

©2011 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 (210486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org.

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

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

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

Newspaper theft is a crime.

Those who violate the singlecopy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

The Ranger Editor Jolene Almendarez News Editor Joshua Fechter Calendar/Opinion Editor Alma Linda Manzanares Photo Editor Ingrid Wilgen Photo Team Julianna Anaya, Rachael L. Emond, Casandra Gonzales, Celeste Kulla, Ivie Okungbowa, Valerie Marie Salazar, Katie Sheridan, Alex Solis, Riley Stephens Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa, Fred Nockroes Staff Writers Brian Burdick, Sebastian Carter, Jennifer Coronado, Marc Cunningham, Faith Duarte, David Espinoza, Jennifer Flores, Sara Garza, Kirk Hanes, Stefania Malacrida, Hilary Martinez, Robert Medina, Diana Palomo Multimedia Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Production Manager Melody Mendoza

16 • Sept. 19, 2011

News

Writing center , spells success ( : [ “ { Students are encouraged to use center regularly for best results in improving writing and grades.

By Jennifer Coronado

Some textbooks used in English courses as well as writing guides are For the fall semester, the writing available as a reference while in the center is offering free services to stucenter. dents, faculty, staff and college comStudents who attend three or more munity members. tutoring sessions are entered in drawEnglish Professor Lennie Irvin, the ings for prize give-a-ways. new director of the writing center, English junior Carlos Lopez has has been a part of the center since it been a tutor for a year and a half and opened in March 2009. said students who use the center’s serSince its opening, the writing cenvices become more fluent, connected ter has extended its space and added and their abilities in writing become new features. stronger.

Irvin said the writing center’s The center is not an emergency mission is to give students tools to room when an essay is due. Lopez said strengthen writing skills. tutors want to focus on students’ skills He said using the writing center and writing ideas. can make a significant impact in writFor each tutoring session, students ing ability. are given a frequent writer card that Students with is stamped at To schedule a tutoring session writing assignthe end the online or on campus, call the ments are welvisit. center at 210-486-1433 or by come to use Students email at sac-wctr@alamo.edu. the center as a required by a resource.

The professor to tutors in the center are predominantly use the center can use this card for peers on campus certified in various verification. subjects.

“Every writer benefits from having Writing center Coordinator Cela extra feedback about their work, so Chavez says peer-to-peer tutoring going out and seeking assistance is a allows students to think differently smart choice,” Irvin said. and explore various styles of writing.

Students interested in working as a English sophomore Kenneth tutor must be enrolled in federal-work Having, a tutor in the center, said study, have passed English 1301 and he questions students to encourage 1302 with a B or higher, maintain a critical thinking and helps them better 3.0 grade point average or higher and understand their assignment. have two letters of recommendation “There is no judging when I sit from professors. down to tutor. I just give them my perTo apply for a tutoring position, spective, and compliment good work,” visit the center’s website at www.

Having said. alamo.edu/sac/wctr/default.htm and Students can use the center’s lab click on PeopleLink under help wantfor any course work they may have, ed. to browse the Web, and have access to Student assistant Carlos Crowley printing with their print cards. said walk-ins for tutoring will be Print cards are available to puraccommodated, but it is recommendchase at various locations on campus. ed to schedule in advance.

‘ ! , ( :

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The Ranger

September honors punctuation rules

By Diana Palomo If you can’t decide between a comma and a period, the writing center wants to see you sometime this month.

The center offers writing workshops that focus on revealing ways of using punctuation strategically.

Starting today, all workshop sessions will be 2 p.m.–2:50 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday until the end of the month in Room 203 of Gonzales.

Tutors in the writing center help students overcome a variety of weaknesses in writing.

Dr. Lennie Irvin, coordinator of the college writing center, said the center tries to connect with all students through one-on-one tutoring but invites instructors to bring whole classes.

Irvin and tutors will introduce the writing center and facility in 10- to 15-minute orientation sessions scheduled for classes.

The center also offers tutoring online.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 210-486-1433 or email sac-wctr@alamo.edu.

-&—

. ) ; ] ” } ’ ? . ) ;

New hours soon The Writing Center is in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

Beginning Sept. 24, new hours become effective: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday–Tuesday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wednesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.1 p.m. Saturday.

Call 210-486-1433 or email sac-wtcr@alamo.edu.