The Ranger 9-26-11

Vol. 86 Issue 3

Single copies free

Sept. 26, 2011

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

Standing up for workers’ rights

FREE PIZZA 5 NO REFUSAL 6 TENURE AT STAKE 11

Calendar

2 • Sept. 26, 2011 For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

Wednesday

The Ranger

486-0125.

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

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 Transfer: Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio 1 p.m.-5 p.m. by appointment in transfer center. Call 210-4860864.

SAC Event: Antojitos Festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0681.

SAC Event: “The Star that Could” 6:30 p.m., “Secret Lives of Stars” 7:45 p.m. and “Extreme Planets” 9 p.m. in Scobee Planetarium. $2 with Alamo Colleges ID and children 6-17, others $3-$5. Continues Fridays. Call 210486-0100.

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

Today 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.

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

SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860128.

SAC Event: Model auditions 2 p.m.-5 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0128.

SAC Recital: Faculty guitar 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-0255.

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

Call 210-486-0864.

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

SAC Event: Student activity fee training sponsored by office of student life 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin.

Continues Oct. 4. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: “Magic: The Gathering” sponsored by office of student life 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in craft 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 Tuesdays for eight weeks. Call 210-486-0378.

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: Wellness event “Self-Care” sponsored by office of student life 11 a.m.-noon in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Black Student Alliance 12:30 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Call 210-486-0593.

SAC Event: Money Matters series “Credit Cards” sponsored by office of student life 1 p.m.-3 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. 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 210-486-0681.

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

Call 210-486-0864.

Little

Saturday 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. 6 SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Music: Jazz Ensemble directed by Mark Denison 12:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Play: “39 Steps” directed by Jim Mammarella at 7:30 p.m. in theater of McCreless. Continues Oct. 7-8, 13-15 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8, 15. $2 with Alamo Colleges ID, others $8-$10. Call 210486-0494.

Oct. 3 Oct. 7 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 210-486-0864.

Oct. 4

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

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.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 Thursdays. Call 210-683-5879.

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.

NVC Play: One-act plays 8 p.m. in Palmetto Black Box Theater. Continues through Oct. 1. Call 210-486-4824.

SAC Event: “Mortal Kombat” tournament sponsored by office of student life 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Cyber Café of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.

Friday Oct. 5 SAC Band: Elijah Zane Band 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-

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

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University

SAC Event: Fine arts department fundraiser “Beatles Singalong” 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Suggested donation $5. Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Music: Live in Loftin music series “Oldies” sponsored by office of student life 11 a.m.-noon in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0125.

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 210-486-0681.

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. 26, 2011 • 3

ORP supplement ends immediately Trustees reject a motion to delay the cut.

By J. Almendarez The board of trustees unanimously voted to immediately end a 2.5 percent supplement given to 305 Optional Retirement Program participants at Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate said the supplement should have been reapproved annually since 1995, but the board failed to do so and the issue has been accidentally neglected.

“We have been very benevolent for 16 years,” he said.

District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez agreed but hesitated to remove the supplement because faculty members expressed discontent that they began the fall semester thinking their benefit package would not change.

“They came with the understanding that this was part of their package,” she said.

District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante agreed with Fernandez, saying the motion to immediately eliminate the supplement should have been brought to the board a long time ago and that changing people’s benefits after they started working, while legal, is not something the district should condone.

“That really bothers me,” she said.

Revoking the subsidy is legal because the fiscal year starts Sept. 1 despite employees beginning their jobs in August.

Diane Snyder, vice chancellor of fiscal affairs, said the supplement is already budgeted up to $650,000 for this fiscal year.

But depending on how much money the state continues to contribute to benefits for state employees, the subsidies could cost the district up to $800,000 before the fiscal year ends.

Fernandez put forth a motion to end the supplements at the end of the fiscal year, so long as the supplements do not exceed the allotted $650,000 the district has prepared for.

She said while this would allow the subsidy to drop to 2.1 percent, it would give people the option to decide whether they wanted to continue working for the district in the next fiscal year.

“Then, I think it’s fair,” she said.

The amendment did not pass.

Fernandez and Bustamante voted for the amendment while the other seven trustees voted against it.

Attorney Retha Karnes clarifies a policy amended to comply with changes in the concealed handgun license law during the Sept. 20 board meeting at Killen. Rachael L. Emond District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said, “The fact that you were in error before doesn’t mean that we should perpetuate the error.”

The board was also presented with updates about the accreditation of Northeast Lakeview College.

Dr. Eric Reno, Northeast Lakeview College president, said the college will submit its financial audits and candidacy application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in March, making spring 2013 the earliest date the college might be eligible to offer financial aid and reduce San Antonio College classes at the campus.

Until the college is accredited, it cannot offer federal financial aid, so the majority of class sections offered at the college are actually offered through this college.

The college began operating independently in fall 2007.

The San Antonio Express-News initially quoted Reno saying accreditation would take about two years to complete.

However, its initial application was denied in December 2009 because of the college’s oneyear stand-alone status and because it did not have an audit for its assets and operations separate from San Antonio College’s audit.

The board of trustees also unanimously voted to amend district policies to reflect Senate Bill 321, which prohibits employers or schools from banning guns in private vehicles.

Legal adviser Retha Karnes said students and employees would still be forbidden to carry firearms on district property.

Trustees also unanimously approved two new associate degree programs at St. Philip’s College, associate of science in biotechnology and associate of science on chemical research assistant.

The board also unanimously approved a review of the district’s identity theft prevention program every odd year; awarded Ebsco Industries, Inc., $100,490 for electronic and hard copy periodicals for the district’s libraries; set a combined tax rate of $0.141623 per $100 valuation; approved a $67,860 contract to Wiking Corp. to install a recycling compactor at St. Philip’s main central plant; and agreed on a clarification to ensure dual credit students are enrolled in classes specified by the district as dual credit.

Board members also unanimously approved $11,328,500 for Palo Alto’s renovation of Gutierrez Learning Lab, Ozuna Learning Lab Center, Median and San Jacinto halls; $20,500,000 for San Antonio College’s renovations of Moody Learning Center and Scobee Planetarium, and the building of EcoCentro which will teach people “green” practices; and $24,407,520 for St. Philip’s renovation of Sutton Learning Center, Dr. William Davis Science Building and Norris Technical Building.

The trustees agreed to postpone discussion and possible action concerning the chancellor’s contract until next month’s regular board meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 in Room 101 of Killen Center, 210 W. Sheridan.

To view the board agenda visit www.alamo. edu, click “Board of Trustees” and click “Agendas.”

4 • Sept. 26, 2011

People

The Ranger

Music sophomores Jesse Mendez and Joel Posada play contemporary Christian music in Loftin. They met at this college five months ago.

Ingrid Wilgen

Psychology sophomore Jacob Wong sells a pickle paleta Wednesday in the mall for a Psychology Club fundraiser. Wong is president of Student Government Association and events coordinator for the club. Ingrid Wilgen

Walter Paulissen, chief of the major crimes unit for the San Antonio Division of the U.S. Attorney’s office, discusses the case of Kirby vs. Edgewood ISD Sept. 16 in the nursing complex for a Constitution Day lecture sponsored by the Criminal Justice Club. Kirby vs. Edgewood ISD was fought to equally distribute funding to the wealthy and poor school districts within the state. Rachael Emond

Justin Ervine, music business and criminal justice sophomore, talks to entertainment attorney Yocel Alonso at the Grammy U panel Sept. 14 in Longwith.

Ervine aspires to be an entertainment attorney and said he was happy to attend the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers event because it was helpful for his career. Rachael Emond

The Ranger

News

Sept. 26, 2011 • 5

Chancellor cites Wikipedia in tenure report English faculty consider Wikipedia an unreliable source for class papers.

By J. Almendarez Chancellor Bruce Leslie released an Introductory Tenure Report Sept. 9 detailing arguments for eradicating and maintaining tenure status in this district.

The report was not available to the public on the Alamo Colleges website as of Sept. 21.

The report cites a variety of sources when referencing statistics, reviewing the generally accepted uses of tenure and comparing tenure in other countries versus the United States, among other things.

When referencing statistics about the reduc-

tion in tenure and tenure-track rates in the United States, the chancellor’s report cites Wikipedia and uses the same wording as the Wikipedia entry under “Tenure.”

The Wikipedia link states that the statistics are derived from the U.S. Department of Education; however, the department is not referenced in the chancellor’s report as the source for the numbers.

“I think he’s really creating a trust issue,” English Adjunct Adela Garcia said.

Garcia teaches about reliable, academic sources acceptable for citation in her SDEV 0107, College Success, and ENG 0300, Basic English 1, classes.

Garcia schedules a session for her students with Librarian Stephen Dingman, who demonstrates how to use reference material in the

library and online.

As far as Wikipedia usage policies, Garcia said, “I tell my students not to use it or I’ll hand you right back your paper.”

English Professor Mariano Aguilar said another reason the site is unreliable is because of the open access to the site by Wikignomes and Wikitrolls.

Aguilar said Wikignomes make corrections on the website while Wikitrolls purposely write incorrect information on other people’s posts.

But, he said the website can be a source of reference to lead people to a more credible source.

The Wikipedia website also has a disclaimer stating that the website makes no guarantee of validity because it is not required to undergo peer review.

Pizza with President set for Thursday

By Kirk Hanes President Robert Zeigler will answer questions from students noon-1 p.m. Thursday in the mall at Pizza with the President sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Free pizza will be served.

The college’s three vice presidents also will answer questions. They are Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs; and Dr. David Mrizek, vice president of college services.

Zeigler also has invited financial aid director Tomàs Campos to be available for questions.

Students can ask any questions of Zeigler that they have concerns about on campus.

“The entire student body is encouraged to come to the event,” said Dr. Tiffany Cox, criminal justice faculty member and adviser to student government.

Students can address the administrators directly or write their questions on index cards for student government representatives to ask for them, SGA President Jacob Wong said.

For more information, call 210-486-0125.

Nursing sophomore James Pate does laps in Martha Stephenson’s Swimming 1 class. Open swim has been closed for lack of a lifeguard. A lifeguard has been hired, and open swim should resume next week. Ingrid Wilgen

Temple closes parking

By J. Almendarez Anyone usually parking in Lots 1 and 2 at 211 Belknap Place at Temple Beth-El, or along Belknap between West Ashby and East Courtland places, may want to arrive on campus earlier for the next two weeks to find alternative parking.

The temple will barricade that portion of the street and their parking lot four times in the next two weeks to honor High Holy Days Rosh Hashana Sept. 29 and Yom Kippur Oct. 8.

Lisa Martinez, assistant to executive direc-

tor Rabbi Alan Berlin, said the street and lots will be closed from noon-11 p.m. Wednesday and Oct. 7; 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday; and 7 a.m.8 p.m. Oct. 8.

She does not predict problems with compliance to the closure because barricades will be in place during those hours.

Rosh Hashana celebrates the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.

The temple has hosted more than 1,000 people during the holidays in the past.

For more questions about Temple Beth-El’s celebrations, call 210-733-9135.

6 • Sept. 26, 2011

Patrol Officer Michael Thornton of the San Antonio Police Department talks Monday about his recovery after being hit by a drunken driver Jan. 23. Katie Sheridan

News

The Ranger

The Ranger

Sept. 26, 2011 • 7

News

‘No refusal’ means back to work Texas leads the nation in collisions caused by driving while intoxicated.

had cut off the lower part of his right leg.

The stranded motorist saw what had happened and rushed over to help pull Thornton back over the wall.

By Jennifer Flores About 50 to 60 patrol cars arrived at the scene and emergency medical technicians took him to Brooke At 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 23, Officer Michael Thornton Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, one of the was on his way home from work when he noticed a city’s two trauma centers. stranded motorist downtown on the upper level of Thornton had been to BAMC once before.

Interstate Highway 35 before the After his second tour of duty Alamo exit. in Iraq in 2008, Thornton was The officer with three years treated at BAMC for burns. of service parked his car 50 feet This time, Thornton was fitbehind the stopped vehicle and ted with a prosthetic leg and offered to help. remained in the hospital for About four minutes later, he about a month before returning saw a truck approaching at about to work.

80 miles an hour, and he knew the He is working a desk job Officer Michael Thornton truck was going to slam into his San at headquarters but will be San Antonio Police Dept.

Antonio Police patrol car. returning to the streets, workAt this point, Thornton was ing the DWI unit in a couple standing between his patrol car of weeks. and the stranded motorist’s car.

Thornton explained that this year so far, the numHe said he had three choices: He could stay and ber of fatalities has dropped, but that is not good get pinned between the cars. He could run out into enough. the highway where he could get hit by his patrol car “To get change, it has to come from the comif it moved that way on impact. He could jump over munity,” Thornton said. “It is a cultural issue that is the wall next to the highway and hold on to avoid statewide.” getting hit.

On Sept. 12, Thornton received the Star of Texas He decided to jump but was unable to get his right Award presented to police officers and firefighters leg over in time. who have been seriously injured or killed in the line After the crash, he lifted himself up to see his leg of duty. on the other side of the highway.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right,” Thornton said.

The passenger side of his patrol car, which was “Texas leads the nation in DWI collisions. Drunk drivnow through the back window of the stranded car, ers affect the entire city.”

“Driving is a privilege, not a right.”

SAPD won’t take no for DWIs

By Jennifer Flores In 2010, there were an estimated 6,000 arrests in Bexar County on suspicion of driving while under the influence.

This year, every weekend has become a “no refusal” weekend, which means if a person is stopped between the hours of 6:30 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m. Monday on suspicion of being under the influence, they are given the choice of taking a breathalyzer or submitting to a blood test.

If the person refuses, then a warrant will be issued and a judge can order the test.

San Antonio Police officers who work in the

Blood Alcohol Testing van are trained phlebotomists. The van has a video recorder and a laptop computer, and officers can draw blood in the vans.

The van allows officers to complete tests and paperwork for suspected DWIs at the crime scene.

In September, a new law called Extreme DWI went into effect.

Under this law, if a person blows twice the legal limit on a breathalyzer or blood test, the charge goes up from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A, and first offenders can spend up to a year in jail.

Tips to avoid DUI • Designate a sober driver.

• Keep cab company phone numbers handy.

• Look into alternate rides home such as public transportation.

• Make arrangements to call someone you trust.

• Spend the night where you are.

• Step up and step in — don’t let friends and family drive if they’ve been drinking.

• Volunteer to be a designated driver.

San Antonio Police Department

8 • Sept. 26, 2011

News

The Ranger

Workers striking for health care Five-month strike aims to restore benefits to flour mill workers.

By Stefania Malacrida It takes persistence to stand hours in the heat of summer, every day, for months.

It takes courage to challenge one’s employer in difficult economic times in a state like Texas, where labor demonstrations are not popular.

Yet, since April 25, workers of the Pioneer Brand flour mill have faithfully walked a picket line at the company headquarters at 129 E. Guenther St., striking against the company’s decision to cut their health care coverage.

Pioneer Brand is a unit of C.H. Guenther & Son Inc., whose flour products end up on the shelves of most stores in San Antonio.

Of 140 employees, about 100 are enrolled in the labor union Teamsters Local 657.

They picket in shifts in front of the Guenther House, a company owned restaurant facing the San Antonio River, or at corners around the plant.

To survive all day, they have set up a campsite at the crossing between Nathan and South Alamo streets, which provides safe parking, food, water and protest songs.

Johnny Davila, 52, is a representative of the workers in the bargaining unit.

He explained one more time the reasons for the strike.

The company is refusing to provide health care coverage any longer, which results in a significant increased expense for each household, from $11 to $35 a week.

The company offered a 50-cent wage increase, but it does not cover the difference.

Despite numerous attempts to speak to a company representative, no one from H.C. Guenther

In the 101-degree heat Sept. 20, Ray Navarro, Patrick Diaz and Tony Diaz, members of Teamsters Local 657, wave at supporters who honk at South Alamo and Probandt. Each has worked at Pioneer more than 25 years. Katie Sheridan

“We are asking our employer to meet us halfway and not to give us all the costs.”

Johnny Davila bargaining unit representative

& Co. was available for comment.

Davila said the company is taking upcoming national health care reform as an excuse to justify wage cuts.

“We know that we will have to pay something. We are asking our employer to meet us halfway and not to give us all the costs. But they said ‘No. This is what we are offering. Take it or leave it.’

“It is very frustrating after working here so long.”

Pioneer has employed Davila for 32 years, enabling him to support his wife, who works part-time in a school cafeteria, and five children.

He said, “We feel we cannot give up our benefits and our seniority like that. We stand for what is our right, and we are doing all this to better our families.”

Davila is a warehouseman.

In the past, he used to pack tortillas, but developed breathing problems from inhaling flour particles.

Younger workers took his place.

Among them is fellow striker Mike Campa, 42.

“Certain areas of the plant are very dusty. Others are cold in the winter and hot in the summer because they lack an AC unit,” Campa said. “If it is 109 outside, it

is 120 in there.”

Campa has been at H.C. Guenther for 7 1/2 years.

“The work is consistent. It is heavy,” he said. “If you don’t pay attention, you can hurt yourself.”

Campa said, “I am one of the youngest out here. Still, I have four kids from 18 all the way down to 12.”

Marylou Vela, 59, does not have children at home. Her children are grown.

“Still, it is hard, especially at my age,” she said.

She has been employed in the company 17 years.

“My husband is retired and since five months (ago), we are only going by his Social Security.

We are barely making it,” she said.

Workers receive $144 a week out of a strike fund.

Drivers raise their thumbs up out of car windows as signs of encouragement while driving down Guenther Street.

“We get a lot of solidarity from the people,” Vela said. “We wish it would be the same from our company.”

The Ranger

News

Sept. 26, 2011 • 9

President studied working conditions, low pay

By Stefania Malacrida President Robert Zeigler completed his doctoral degree in history with a dissertation on a relatively uncommon topic: the history of labor unions in Texas.

Zeigler said the topic emerged as an academic interest.

“My professor was a champion in this area, and I extended and developed his research,” he said.

Yet, there was more: The political climate of the 1970s, an eagerness to understand America and a generational conflict with a rigid, self-made father complete the picture.

“My dad was raised on a farm,” Zeigler said. “He was one of eight kids and was the only one in his family to go to college.”

Zeigler’s father became an engineer and worked 30 years at the Texas Department of Transportation.

“He worked hard and did it,” Zeigler said. “His attitude was, ‘I didn’t have a lot of money. I didn’t have help. So, other people ought to be able to do it.’”

Zeigler defined his father’s attitude as a typical misunderstanding a lot of successful people find themselves in.

“My dad was a smart man, but he also had a lot of good luck,” he said.

While attending college, Zeigler also worked summers at the Texas Department of Transportation, doing mostly manual labor.

He realized then how bad the working conditions were and how low the pay was.

Later, as an academic, he researched labor unions in Houston between 1865 and 1914.

In 1972 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, the future college president completed his doctoral dissertation, “The Working Man.” His approach was brand new for the time.

His goal was not to rebuild the

history of institutions, such as AFL-CIO or the Knights of Labor, but to document working people’s movements and understand the way workers used to interact with each other, with their companies and with the unions.

He said the research was broader, more nebulous and more scattered than required for traditional research through institutional sources.

“You had to look for stories in newspapers,” he said. “If you were lucky, you would find records in some local unions, find reminiscences of working people. I really had a good time doing it.”

While researching, Zeigler discovered working people after the Civil War in towns like Houston integrated into the community.

Workers did not see themselves

as isolated from the rest of the community.

They attended the same churches as their employers, their children attended the same schools and they lived in the same neighborhood.

However, as businesses grew and new influences, such as the automobile industry developed, a deep separation between workers and employers emerged.

“Generally speaking in Texas, the political establishment had a tendency to always blame the workers rather than the employers for the unrest,” he said. “Texas never really developed strong, vibrant union movements.”

Zeigler said the social climate in Texas is still very conservative today.

Zeigler said the idea of Texas

as a business-friendly state represents a major political argument for Gov. Rick Perry in his political campaign.

“The down side, however, is that we don’t have a work force that is educated to the level it should be,” Zeigler said.

Also, demographics today show a significant increase in the Hispanic population in Texas.

“Over time, we have underserved and undereducated those people. One of the reasons community colleges are here is trying to correct that,” Zeigler said.

Long before he was president of this college, Zeigler used to discuss education with his father.

“We discussed a lot. However, he was really proud of me because he had a hard time countering my arguments,” Zeigler said.

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The Ranger

News

Early union activity boomed, bust Despite periodic popular lobbying, unions faltered in Texas.

By Stefania Malacrida Looking at early union history in Texas, it would be reasonable to believe that unions in the Lone Star State would be robust.

In 1838, print journeymen in Houston formed the first known labor union in the state and struck against Houston publishers to earn a 25 percent wage increase.

Urban labor associations led by typographers, carpenters and mechanics were lively through the Texas Republic from 1836-46.

The situation changed dramatically after the Civil War. While the Industrial Revolution was shaping the country, Texas was struggling to rebuild its economy after the end of slavery. Many craftunion locals emerged, but they were short-lived.

National organization efforts did not take in Texas. Labor unions were weak but still served a national role because of Texas’ demographics and economic resources.

In the 1880s, the Knights of Labor dominated movements, primarily lobbying for an eighthour day and the end of child and convict labor. As the Knights declined, workers congregated in

the American Federation of Labor.

The AFL focused on larger towns and represented mostly streetcar and railway workers.

An example of the general attitude toward unions is the pecan shellers strike in this city and the figure of Emma Tenayuca.

In 1938, about 12,000 pecan shellers, mostly Hispanic women, walked off the jobs and struck for three months because their pay was cut almost in half.

In the 1930s, Texas pecans accounted for approximately 50 percent of the nation’s production.

City officials moved quickly to arrest more than 700 workers.

The strike received national and international attention because of the mass arrests.

Eventually, the two parts came to an agreement thanks to the courage and perseverance of women like Tenayuca Brooks.

A growing oil industry urged workers to join the International Oil Workers Union, which later became one of the original groups to form the Congress of Industrial Organizations.

During and immediately after World War II, a boom in population increased the state’s union membership faster than the national average. In 1957, 18 months of negotiation merged AFL and CIO in Texas, leading to a national merger.

Emma Tenayuca, with raised fist, is shown standing on the steps of San Antonio City Hall June 28, 1935. AccuNet/AP Images The 1960s and 1970s saw a backward trend in union memberships. The state’s population increased almost 90 percent from 1965-95; however, growth was mostly a result of adult immigration and the new workers were not willing to risk visa status for union memberships.

In spite of obstacles, Texas industrial unions opened a new path in the country by tackling environmental hazards.

In a landmark strike in 1973 against Shell Oil Co., America’s first environmental strike, unions asked to actively monitor the workplace through periodic medical exams and access to mortality statistics.

The strike brought oil workers into alliance with environmental

groups, but the workers were eventually forced to accept a watereddown monitoring system.

The San Antonio Light had a union newsroom as well as a union in the pressroom. When the Hearst Corp. closed the daily in 1993 to purchase the San Antonio ExpressNews, the newsroom union ended.

By the early 1990s, only 21 percent of the labor force worked in highly unionized industries, compared to 47 percent 20 years before.

Also in the last decade, some of the rapidly growing sectors such as information technology and communication remain unorganized.

The current labor code makes Texas a right-to work state, where employees are not required to join a union.

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The Ranger

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Sept. 26, 2011 • 11

Panelists say tenure essential to college experience Trustees, administrators did not attend the tenure discussion.

By Joshua Fechter Dr. Thomas Billimek, psychology and sociology chair, said tenure allows faculty to challenge students’ beliefs by covering controversial topics at a panel discussion about tenure Tuesday afternoon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Faculty Senate represented by Dr. Teanna Staggs, natural sciences chair, organized the discussion because the Policy and Long Range Planning Committee realized in May the district had no official tenure policy.

The policy was overlooked in 2002 when the district updated other policies.

Each college now practices varying tenure procedures.

The committee decided Sept. 13 that Chancellor Bruce Leslie would collaborate with faculty, retirees and committee members to establish guidelines about whether to keep tenure and tenure-track jobs in the district.

The committee predicts they may make a suggestion to the board of trustees by December.

Billimek said tenure and academic freedom give professors the ability to breed students who think critically rather than simply learn skills to use in the workforce.

Dr. Brian Stout, biology professor at Northwest Vista College, said tenure allows him to discuss issues such as the debate between evolution and intelligent design.

“It allows us the peace of mind to know we can talk about our subject without fear of repercussions,” Stout said.

He said tenure attracts good faculty members, places higher expectations on faculty and allows the college to evaluate faculty members who may not be doing their job correctly.

Stout said the fact that Northwest Vista had tenure attracted him to the college.

Christy Woodward-Kaupert, social sciences professor, said the public perception of professors in ivory towers is inaccurate.

Woodward-Kaupert said most people do not realize faculty view teaching as a vocation and feel responsible for the college.

“We are called to teach,” she said. “We don’t get to leave at 5.”

She said there are faculty members whose commitment to the community goes beyond the college and serve on local and state committees in

Library Director Eileen Oliver asks the panel why the chancellor seems to ignore how good tenure is for students’ education. Katie Sheridan addition to teaching.

Philosophy Professor John Visintainer said it would be unfair to not grandfather in tenured faculty if the district decided to revoke tenure.

“To change the rules at this point would set a horrible example,” he said.

Visintainer likened the possibility of abolishing tenure to changing how he grades students midsemester. He also compared tenure to the lifelong terms U.S. Supreme Court justices serve: Just as those terms allow justices to decipher the law without interference from the political process, tenure protects academics from backlash for discussing controversial subjects.

Library Director Eileen Oliver asked the panel why Leslie seems eager to get rid of tenure.

Billimek said colleges and universities’ governance model is transitioning from shared governance to a corporate model.

He said the model is broadly accepted and is effective in many ways, such as dealing with limited resources, but has a potential downside laced with golden parachutes and Enron scenarios.

Visintainer said he would not like to see people in education operate completely under the corporate model. He said he agrees the colleges should not waste money but should not aim to keep a bottom line.

“If the goal is profit, it’s possible education may be lost in the process,” he said.

Theater Professor Ronnie Watson asked if ten-

ure was taking blame for lack of oversight in tenure policy.

Stout said most organizations may not spend enough time disciplining members who perform poorly.

Stout said maybe the faculty does not spend enough time policing themselves.

Billimek said the college should adopt a three-level system for evaluating faculty: the faculty member meets expectations, exceeds them or fails to meet them.

Visintainer said physicians cannot be fully judged by the survival rate of their patients just as professors cannot be fully judged by student success.

He said he supports higher success rates, but not at the expense of the learning process.

Fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt moderated the discussion.

About 30 people attended.

Staggs said she invited trustees and administrators through email, but did not receive responses.

Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, Faculty Senate chair and English professor, said she understands the invitation was on short notice and does not think their nonattendance is a sign of ill will.

Staggs said she sent trustees and administrators a link to stream the discussion online and will send them a link to a video of the discussion as well.

Prem

12 • The Ranger

Star club burns out Inactive organization seeks prospective members.

ly information booths outside Scobee Planetarium and star parties at Guadalupe State Park.

By Faith Duarte The San Antonio Astronomical Association, or the San Antonio League of As students walk to class and meet with Sidewalk Astronomers, set up telescopes peers, most pass the club booths scattered the first Friday of every month in Lot 21 for through campus. gazers to view the night sky.

Some may notice one booth is absent.

Until this pause, the club was in the The Astronomy Club has been on hiatus process of constructing their own telesince spring because of scope. a lack of student interSome students est. have inquired Dr. David Wood, about a Star Club director of instituon campus since Scobee Planetarium is tional research, planspring, the first celebrating its golden anniversary ning and effectiveness semester of the by hosting an event from 7 p.m.-10 and adviser for the p.m. Oct. 8 in Lot 21. club’s break.

The event will showcase a Astronomy Club, said “I’ve got a the club averaged 25 presentation, honor special guests couple of people, and allow people in the community members from spring one person in parto use telescopes for stargazing.

2008 to spring 2010. ticular, who maybe For more information, call “Virtually the entire interested in reacScobee Planetarium at 486-0100. club that existed in tivating the club,” spring 2010 graduated Wood said. all at the same time,” Wood said. “We basiWood said the Astronomy Club genercally went from having a big club to one ates a lot of interest and believes it could person who didn’t want to become presiguide students questioning their majors dent.” toward science.

The club began with weekly meetings “Students really enjoy astronomy,” in fall 2007.

Wood said. “Of all the sciences, it’s the They created the newsletter The most popular.”

Astronaut’s Compass and coordinated For more information, call Wood at 210events before graduation including month486-0063.

“50 Years Under the Stars”

Holland Taylor as Gov. Ann Richards Courtesy Digitalegacy

KSYM nominated for CBI awards in two categories

By Jacob Beltran College Broadcasters Inc. has nominated KSYM 90.1 FM, the college’s radio station, in two categories for the 2011 National Student Production awards.

CBI represents students involved in radio, television, webcasting and other related media.

KSYM is nominated in best station imaging and the station’s “Friday Night Line-up” for best sports playby-play. Best station imaging involves every aspect of the radio station including their website, broadcasts, posters and advertisements such as KSYM’s Alternative to Hunger, said assistant program director William Mossom, radio-television-film sophomore.

“Best station imaging is the summation of

everything that you do,” said general manager John Onderdonk, radio-television-film professor.

The best sports play-by-play is based on production, audio editing and its presentation, Mossom said.

“It had to be 30-or-60-second spots. Station imaging was from promos from station we sent in along with stations from around the country,” Mossom said.

Program Director Robert Medina, radio-televisionfilm sophomore, said KSYM’s DJs never entered before, but felt they had a chance after seeing last years’ competition in Louisville, Ky. “Last year, we had students who had been to one and they realized they had been doing work that’s just as good as those that were winning,” Onderdonk said.

Although the conferences are twice a year, KSYM

staff go only in October.

Mossom said he felt confident in their entr “We were quite strong in other catego well, but we were only nominated in those Mossom said.

CBI accepts entries if the station is a colleg station, member of CBI and meets criteria of t egory entered.

Entries are limited to two categories per sta CBI will announce the winners Oct. 28 at th Annual National College Media Convention, a ing of student media participants, in the Renai Sea World Hotel, Orlando, Fla, Oct. 26-30.

KSYM staff will attend the convention with donated through pledge drives.

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Sept. 26, 2011 • 13

30th anniversary pays tribute to Ann Richards Six winners of $1,000 scholarships will be announced Oct. 13.

By Diana Palomo After many years of “supporting women, serving the community and expanding visions,” the women’s center will celebrate its 30th anniversary at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in McAllister Fine Arts Center.

In this celebration, Emmy-winning actress Holland Taylor will deliver a 30-minute lecture about her on-stage portrayal of former Gov. Ann Richards and then answer questions from the audience.

In the spring of 1981, San Antonio College established the women’s center to provide support for all general education and meet the needs of displaced homemakers, transitioning women, single parents and nontraditional students.

The program wants women to reach their educational, personal and career goals. It is also the only women’s center in the Alamo Colleges.

The center is a part of the department of services for women and nontraditional students.

The women’s center’s goal is to transform the lives of participants through education by providing a one-way comprehensive system of quality supportive and retention services.

For more than 30 years, the center has been a recipient of the 2006 American Association of Women in Community Colleges Model Program

Holland Taylor and the cast of “Two and a Half Men” Courtesy of CBS award and the star award in 2007 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the LULAC Parent/Child Scholarship Program.

The awards were given to the center to give women an opportunity to achieve their educational goals.

The components of the women’s center are Seguir Adelante Adult Re-Entry Program, established in 2003, and the Mi CASA Career Assistance and Self-Sufficiency Program, established in 2007.

These two programs were funded by the Hispanic Serving Institutions Assisting Communities, which are grants through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The programs are designed to meet the community needs for the pre-college preparation, workforce and career development services.

In September 2009, the empowerment cen-

ter became the base of all three of these programs and opened its door to the college.

The empowerment center serves as a source for education, career, employment, and economic empowerment services for students and the community.

Six winners of the Ann Richards Endowed Scholarship also will be announced during the celebration. The scholarship will award students $1,000, which will be split in half for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semester.

In 2001, the scholarship was created when Richards came to the college in celebration of the 20th anniversary for the women’s center.

A private reception in her honor at Koehler Cultural Center raised $20,000 to establish the first endowed scholarship for women.

Dr. Helen Vera, coordinator of the event and chair of the department of services for women and nontraditional students, said Taylor was chosen for the event because she wrote “My Journey to Ann Richards,” which tied into the scholarship.

“My Journey to Ann Richards” is a play written and performed by Taylor to honor the 45th governor because of her strong personality and efforts to expand women’s and minority rights.

In addition to the celebration, there will be a private luncheon for the six scholarship winners to meet Holland at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 in the San Antonio’s Women’s Club, 1717 San Pedro Ave. For more information, call the women’s center at 210-486-0455.

Celebrate free speech with chalk

By Jennifer M. Ytuarte Get ready for dusty hands and clothes as two chalk-centric events offer artistic freedom during the first week of October.

The Ranger staff, in partnership with this college’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, will kick off National Newspaper Week with Chalk Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 in the mall.

In its eighth year, Chalk Day encourages First Amendment rights through artistic expression.

“We want students to appreciate and take advantage of their right to free speech,” Marianne Odom, chair of media communications, said.

Chalk Day started in 2004, when student Gabriel Garza left a bucket of chalk in the mall to see what students might do while he was attending classes. The chalk was used to draw pictures on the sidewalk.

A college staff member saw the students drawing and complained,

but the opposition led to an official yearly gathering.

All forms of expression are welcome as long as no profanity or obscenities are used and the images or messages are confined to the brick walkways in the mall.

On Oct. 8, the eighth annual ArtPace celebration Chalk It Up, will open Houston Street sidewalks to artistic expression.

The family-friendly event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Matt Johns, public-affairs manager for ArtPace, said 10 showcase artists create mural sized art while 10 feature artists will help attract onlookers to participate while creating smaller tabloid-sized artwork.

He said volunteers are still needed to help distribute chalk and help encourage tourists and passersby to take part in beautifying downtown.

More than 20,000 participants are expected at this year’s event.

For more information or to volunteer, call Johns at 210-212-4900.

14 • Sept. 26, 2011

News

Retired Palo Alto Librarian Sandra Hood holds a copy of the UTSA donors list, questioning why the Alamo Colleges donated money to UTSA when the colleges are cutting many programs and services.

The Ranger

She appeared during the citizens-to-be-heard portion of the district’s regular board meeting Sept. 20 in Room 101 of Killen at 201 W. Sheridan. Rachael L. Emond

Retirement gag order illegal, professor says Citizens at board meeting question tenure and donations.

By J. Almendarez Employees in this district who accepted a retirement incentive approved in April signed a gag order that prohibited them from making derogatory remarks or publicly discussing their employment, resignation or separation from Alamo Colleges.

The agreement states, “…you agree not to make derogatory or disparaging remarks regarding Alamo Colleges, your employment or your separation from employment with Alamo Colleges, unless compelled to do so by a subpoena or court order following written notice to Alamo Colleges.”

It also says the agreement is confidential unless a court of law requires retirees to address issues within it.

However, one of the 176 employees who took advantage of the incentives leaked the agreement to the Faculty Legal Action Association.

Math Professor Gerald Busald, president of the Alamo Community College District Faculty Legal Action Association, said at the citizensto-be heard portion of the regular board meeting Tuesday, the association was advised mandating a gag order to acquire retirement incen-

People can sign up to speak at the citizens-to-be-heard portion of the regular board meeting 5 p.m.-5:50 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month in Room 101 at Killen Center at 201 W. Sheridan.

tives is illegal.

“We ask that those who retired be sent an amended contract where this clause is removed.

I don’t know who we’re trying to silence or why, but it seems very unwise for a public institution to try to gag its former employees,” he said.

Busald said the association was founded in 1986 to monitor and attempt to correct actions by the board of trustees that may be illegal.

He said the association looks forward to seeing a suggested agreement amendment in next month’s board meeting.

While the board of trustees cannot discuss items that are not preapproved in the agenda and they are not obligated to respond to remarks in citizens-to-be-heard, District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez asked District 9 trustee James Rindfuss, chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, to review release language retirees were asked to sign.

“I think that that merits some additional study,” she said.

Rindfuss said the committee plans to do so.

Sandra Hood, retired Palo Alto College librarian, told the board that the Alamo Colleges donated between $10,000 and $24,999 to the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“As a taxpayer, I look at this as my money and I really want to know where it was going to.

Why was it going to them?” she said.

She asked if the district was also giving donations to other institutions of higher learning.

Later, she showed proof that the district donated more money to UTSA than USAA, Union Pacific and Clear Channel Communications.

The board did not comment on the issue because it was not on the public agenda.

Hood said the entire list of donations is at www.utsa.edu/giving.

Beth May, Faculty Senate President at Northwest Vista College, addressed the threat of the elimination of tenure.

She said, “While several of you stated at the (Policy and Long Range Planning Committee) meeting that you did value the concept of tenure, you also stated that our current ways of awarding tenure and our evaluation processes need to be improved. We agree.”

May said Faculty Senate’s goal is to work with trustees to create a policy on tenure that protects faculty’s academic freedoms while holding them to a high standard.

The Ranger

News

Attorney Jim Harrington discusses civil liberties and the U.S. Constitution Monday in the nursing complex in a lecture in observa-

Sept. 26, 2011 • 15

tion of Constitution Day. He believes the Bill of Rights should be interpreted to reflect modern times. Valerie Marie Salazar

Civil rights lawyer says compare constitutions Project accepts cases that can effect change.

By Sebastian Carter Jim Harrington, attorney and founding director of Texas Civil Rights Project, spoke Monday about a tough decision the project had to make over whether to represent a man who had been beaten by police and a man who had been jailed and denied medication for his HIV-positive condition.

Harrington’s talk in the nursing complex was part of “Celebrate the Constitution” sponsored by the Criminal Justice Student Association.

He said the organization provides legal representation in cases regarding civil rights, such as issues of unpaid wages, mistreatment of prisoners and human rights violations.

“We only take cases that bring systemic change,” he said.

The Texas Civil Rights Project chose to represent the HIV-positive man because it brought change to a local jail system in ways they treat people with such conditions.

He said the Bill of Rights serves two purposes: It was designed to put limits on the power of govern-

ment and to protect liberty.

The Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guarantees individuals rights ranging from freedom of speech and religion, to the right to bear arms.

Harrington said the reason limits need to be placed on governmental power is that it is the nature of government to seize power.

He said the Bill of Rights is a living document, and the U.S. needs to look at systems of rights in other countries to see how the U.S. Bill of Rights can improve.

To illustrate this, he gave the example of universal health care.

“We don’t have health care for the poor. Other countries have health care for the poor as a right,” he said.

Harrington said a problem in the U.S. today is religious fundamentalism. He said after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Muslims faced great discrimination around the country and in the media.

He specifically said Fox News was discriminatory in their coverage of the controversy surrounding building a proposed 13-story Muslim community center to include a mosque, performing art center, gym, swimming pool and

other public spaces near the site of New York’s 9/11 memorial.

A collaboration of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative, the community center’s aim is to improve relations between Muslims and the West.

The center was originally planned in 2009, but it did not receive media attention until the plans were reviewed in 2010 by a local community board.

Harrington said he recalled several years ago, the Ku Klux Klan burning a cross at a church he attended regularly.

He said another problem facing the nation is hostility within the court system thanks to judges with political agendas; however, he held steadfast that juries are still important.

“The jury is one of our most democratic institutions,” he said.

Harrington said voting in the presidential election is important because the president appoints judges to several levels of the court system.

He said that prisoners should be treated humanely, although he said he is not light on them.

He spoke about the Patriot Act, saying “George Orwell would have

loved that name.”

He said when AT&T gave phone records to the government, it was a big infringement not only on the right to privacy all Americans have, but to lawyers and other professionals who are supposed to maintain confidentiality with their clients.

According to USA Today, in 2006 AT&T Inc. allowed the National Security Agency to monitor phone and Internet communications of its customers without warrants.

Harrington said the Patriot Act was originally proposed under the Clinton administration but was shelved until the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

After the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the Clinton administration proposed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, which was introduced by then-Senate majority leader Bob Dole, and passed in April 1996.

Harrington said education is not a requirement in the U.S. Bill of Rights and that parent-teacher associations can result in private funding for schools, implying parents donate freely to schools, which can increase segregation based on class.

16 • Sept. 26, 2011

The Ranger

News

Travis senior president of Phi Theta Kappa Advisers recommended 18-year-old senior to run for PTK president.

By Diana Palomo The Beta Nu chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society nominated and elected Carlos Castaneda, senior from Travis Early College High School, for president.

At 18, he holds the leadership position for the 2011-12 chapter of the honor society.

Travis Early College High School, part of the San Antonio Independent School District, informs students about the specific requirements to become a member of the honor society.

In May 2012, Castaneda will nominated and voted by members. graduate from this college with an He was the only member to run associate degree in liberal arts and for the leadership position after general science. the former president Castaneda joined resigned. the honors society as Castaneda said he a sophomore in high wants to be commitschool and throughted to this organization out the years, and give it his all. he has become He is excited, nera better indivous and “stoked” to be vidual with president. great lead- Carlos Castaneda For Castaneda to ership skills maintain his leaderand helping others in the ship position, he is required to community, he said. attend all meetings; commit serHe has a cumulative vice to fundraisers; seminars and grade point average of conventions; serve a minimum of 3.6. eight hours of community service; Before he became president, and make sure everything goes Castaneda was recommended according to plan. by advisers, former presidents and The president requirements are officers to run for president, then to officially represent the Beta Nu

Special Report:

Induction ceremony is 7 p.m. Thursday in McAllister auditorium.

For more information call PTK advisers, mortuary science Professor Mary Mena at 210-486-1136 or English Professor Jane Focht-Hansen at 210-486-0668.

Chapter in college, community, district, regions and international levels of society; develop goals; help advisers and officers; attain a five-star status for the chapter; and serve as signatory on all Beta Nu documents.

After graduation, Castaneda plans to apply to Rice University, University of Texas at Austin and Pan American University where he plans to major in psychology and pursue psychiatry.

As a Student or Employee of ACCD, You are Eligible for Membership.

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The Ranger

News

Sept. 26, 2011 • 17

Canvas program to replace Blackboard Vista

By Riley Stephens Instructure Canvas, an online learning management system, could take the place of Blackboard Vista next year if it is approved by the board of trustees in October.

A learning management systems task team composed of 20 faculty, four from each of the colleges, chose Instructure Canvas over Blackboard Learn 9.1 and 10 other systems during the summer.

“We took 12 proposals from various learning management system vendors and narrowed it down to two,” Usha Venkat, director of information and communication technologies, said Sept. 19.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs at this college, was the facilitator of the team.

In June, Howard said the team had decided on Intsructure Canvas because it was a managed hosting system and Blackboard Learn 9.1 was a premised hosting system.

“With managed hosting, the system would be managed through the company Instructure and not through our IT department,” Howard said.

She said it would cost the colleges $30,000 less with the managed hosting system.

“It’s about a $40,000 difference over three years,” Howard said.

She said the current version of Blackboard Vista is managed through the district and will be discontinued at the end of next year.

“We decided on Instructure because it was easily accessible to both the students and the faculty,” Howard said.

On Monday, Usha Venkat, director of information and communication technologies, explains an upcoming online learning system called Instructure Canvas that will replace Blackboard Vista for spring. Casandra Gonzales “All the colleges are equipped to handle this program. We want all classes to use this learning management system,” she said.

The task team is going to bring the proposal to the board at the October meeting.

Gary O’Bar, district director of purchasing, said Sept. 16, “We are still in the evaluation phase. We are going in to present it to the board in October.”

Howard said, “There is absolutely nothing that comes to my mind that Blackboard Learn 9.1 can do that Instructure doesn’t do better.”

Devin Knighton, public relations for

Instructure, said Instructure Canvas said students can sign up for notification to be sent through email, Facebook and text-messaging systems.

He said more than 60 institutions have contracts for Instructure Canvas.

“Community colleges, large universities and high schools are among the institutions and all but one of the institutions are located in the United States,” Knighton said.

Howard said if the program gets approved, training sessions for the new program would begin some time early next year.

Contest celebrates Day of Writing

By Diana Palomo Oct. 7 is the deadline to submit a story for the Cuenta Contest, a story-writing competition to celebrate the National Day of Writing Oct. 20.

The Cuenta Contest is a conference where people from the community present family stories to celebrate writing.

This contest is in collaboration with the San Antonio Writing Project, directed by Dr. Roxanne

The first place winner will receive an Amazon Kindle, second place a smart pen and third place a writing center T-shirt.

Henkin, education and human development professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and co-directed by Dr. Lennie Irvin, English professor and coordinator of the writing center.

A cuenta is an original, oral

family anecdote, tall tale, telenovela-style saga with a pithy, surprising, poignant and telling ending.

Anyone can participate in the contest; submissions must sent to the writing center Room 203 of Gonzales Hall.

All stories are required to be two- to-five-typed pages in double-spaced format. Include a description, dialogue, detail and atmosphere.

Entrants are advised to revise stories until they are good enough

for the contest.

The judges are published writers.

The winning entries will be announced Oct. 17.

Winners and runners-up are invited to read a cuenta at an open mic event Oct. 20 in Loftin Student Center. A citywide presentation to celebrate San Antonio’s Cuentos Project will be at San Antonio’s Central Library Dec. 4.

For more information, call Irvin at 210-486-0672.

18 • Sept. 26, 2011

Editorial

The Ranger

Juan Carlos Campos

Mandatory ID cards demeaning Student Government Association recently proposed that everyone have an Alamo Colleges ID card to be on this campus.

SGA has apparently forgotten this is a public campus funded primarily by taxes.

Citizens have every right to be on college grounds to use the library, attend events in the theater or auditorium, or — lest we forget — research enrolling in the college or taking admissions tests.

Through the years, the college has invited the pubic onto campus for anniversary celebrations, book fairs, block parties, sporting events, exhibits and open houses.

Student life advertises in The Current though the director insists student activity fee money can be spent only on students and has also espoused a carded student center.

Facebook encourages San Antonians to come to the campus.

Dare this tactic of random ID checking be compared to the controversial Arizona law that requires “suspicious” brown people to prove citizenship?

No, the suggestion is far less dramat-

ic than that.

However, ideas behind the suggestion are similar in origin.

Randomly carding only individuals who do not fit into a preconceived notion targets people who no doubt do not fit the typical mold of a college student; however, one of the aspects that make San Antonio College such a great place to study is its diversity.

Our nontraditional student enrollment ranges from age 17 (or as young as 14 because of our students at Travis Early College High School) to 80, and they come in all shapes, sizes, styles, genders, colors, faiths, nationalities and sexual orientation.

Many of our students are attending classes and working, rushing in from a job or out to one. They don’t have time for such immoral nonsense.

It is disheartening to see students interested in government following the corrupt and/or ignorant example of some politicians.

This is a community college — despite the word “community” being erased from district branding — and it should remain open to all.

Eliminating tenure limits educational experience The board of trustees will deliberate whether to tweak currently followed procedures for tenure or eliminate the practice entirely sometime within the next two months.

Tenure is granted to faculty members who have completed a period of probationary service, usually five to six years.

In May, the Policy and Long Range Planning Committee discovered there is no tenure policy in effect.

In 2002, the board revised many policies, but tenure was overlooked, and a new policy was never instituted.

Tenured faculty can only be fired for adequate cause or other circumstances after a hearing CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

The Ranger CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 before a faculty committee.

Tenure guarantees faculty academic freedom in the classroom, preventing retaliatory or disciplinary action for introducing controversial subjects.

To be truly called education, students must be challenged to consider multiple, conflicting points of view regardless of how uncomfortable it might be to some or how heretical it might sound to others.

Faculty members who challenge students to examine a plurality of views enhance critical thinking skills.

Trustees need to educate themselves on the origins and philosophy of tenure.

In this society, education, and teachers especially, get lip service, but little respect for their professionalism, long hours and short pay, or credit for their knowledge or opinions on how to improve the system. As we face lean years of reduced resources, why don’t we incorporate our greatest resource into planning and problem solving?

Tenure not only protects academic freedom in the classroom, it preserves it within the institution as well.

Students are not the only group that needs challenging on occasion.

Tenure also adds to the stature of the institution and the value of its education by growing a stable faculty to set a standard that remains over time and to create and maintain traditions with students.

As an educational institution, are we OK with setting boundaries on classroom discussion? Are we OK with our faculty losing its voice? Are we OK with giving up the stability and integrity of our education?

Simply put, tenure attracts and keeps good faculty, and a good faculty creates the college experience to prepare students with the skills they need for the workforce and life.

Just because other community colleges have chosen cost-cutting measures over loyalty to employees doesn’t mean this district has to.

Because “everybody else is doing it” didn’t work when we were children and sounds even sillier coming from grown adults today.

Editorial

Sept. 26, 2011 • 19

Don’t enable criminals During its Sept. 13 meeting, the Policy and Long Range Planning Committee unanimously recommended the board of trustees review legal policies ensuring that people with concealed handgun licenses can carry a gun in the parking lot at any Alamo Colleges property.

The Texas Legislature, try as it might, has not passed a bill to allow concealed carry on campus, but to accommodate those with carry licenses to visit our campuses and remain in compliance, the board had to address the subject.

If committee members paid attention to district events, they would know the Alamo Colleges police department reported eight vehicle burglaries at this college, four at St. Philip’s College and one at Palo Alto College in August.

Now, licensed carriers can come on campus but must keep weap-

ons in a privately owned, locked vehicle and may not carry a gun in parking lots during events that may take place there, such as star parties sponsored by Scobee Planetarium.

The district should not infringe on citizens’ Second Amendment right to bear arms, but they should understand they might endanger everyone at the colleges by potentially arming car burglars who work our lots.

Even for the board, this total lack of perspective is appalling.

Instead of encouraging people to keep guns in cars, district officials should focus on making sure the district police department is funded well enough to properly patrol parking lots to prevent car burglaries.

No one should leave valuables in cars. That’s just common sense.

But the trustees need to explain why they are enabling crime instead of preventing it.

The vanishing college Renaming the sports teams Reds is one more step toward erasing this college’s long-standing identity.

And cheering at a game sounds like cheap advertising, “Go, Big Red!” Originally part of the University of Texas system, in 1927, the college followed Austin in adopting orange and white colors and The Ranger alongside the longhorn and Arlington’s maverick and Shorthorn newspaper, suitably Texan symbols.

During fall 2010 renovations, the mascot was removed from center court of Gym 1 of Candler Physical Education Center. An image of it hangs high on a gym wall.

In March 2010 in a surprise to the colleges, the board adopted new logos for the Alamo Colleges with each college’s assigned logo barely noting the college name.

In January, the district affixed its unified logo over the college seal on the brick sign between Gonzales and McCreless halls. Within a year,

the colleges’ identities were stripped and replaced with a district image.

In a similar move, our sports teams are being stripped of their identities.

The student life director pettily told the men’s soccer coach the college teams could not share a name with the college news organization.

The Ranger reported May 1, 2010, in a story headlined “Ranger mascot approved by college administration,” that President Robert Zeigler said, “We still want the ranger to represent this college as the mascot.”

This came in the wake of student government and student life pushing for a new mascot, but Zeigler said, “Our plan is to get both (director of student life Jorge) Posadas and the Student Government Association involved in the project.”

Sounds like insubordination.

Soon, only those “expensive” employees the district wants to retire will remember the 85-year-old San Antonio College.

20 • Sept. 26, 2011

Viewpoint

The Ranger

Commuter says mutual safety important When I sit at a red light, I daydream about living in Austin, Portland or Amsterdam.

I imagine a city where I’m not an oddity, or a political statement, but a logical commuter.

Then the light Viewpoint by Jennifer M. Ytuarte changes and I’m back on the road, risking my life among all the careless cellphone-toting, breakfast-eating, lead-footed drivers that roam during morning rush hour.

There are usually two schools of thought when it comes to cyclists: Either it’s an elitist sport, with a $1,500 bike, Lycra and clip-less pedals, or you’re too poor to afford a car, which equates to a rusty bike complete with taped Journalism sophomore Jennifer M. Ytuarte waits for the elevator west of Loftin to chain her up handle bars, soda can fenders and a plastic bike upstairs next to the journalism department March 31. Carla Aranguren milk crate.

Where do I fit in? I’m a commuter.

I live within 2 miles of this campus and I right of way when approaching from the oppoFive rules to avoid fatal crashes: choose to bike. site direction of traffic.

I do it because I love the feel of the wind in A Class C misdemeanor and fine of up to 1. Never ride onto a street without stopping to look both ways. my hair and the burning sensation in my thighs $200 can be issued to drivers who pass a cyclist as I push myself to keep up with traffic. then cut in front to make a right-hand turn.

2. Obey stop signs and traffic signals.

Cycling lets me appreciate the simpler There is enough road for both of us. things in life.

So please, next time, don’t try to squeeze by 3. Check behind before swerving, I love smelling the air after a rain storm and me. Use your blinker and change lanes. turning or changing lanes. the waft of spices as I pass Jalisco Mexican resIt’s dangerous for both of us, especially with 4. Never follow another rider without taurant on McCullough Avenue on my way to oncoming traffic. applying the rules. campus.

I may wear a helBut along the way, we have met, but that layer of 5. Before you get on your bike, put on forgotten how to be courteous Styrofoam will not proa helmet. and respectful to each other, so tect me from carelessSan Antonio Police Department let me help straighten out a few ness. concerns.

It’s not magic.

The Texas Transportation Remember, it doesn’t weaving through traffic.

Code states my bicycle is entimatter if the accident is It makes drivers nervous and makes me fear tled to the same rights as any your fault or not, most I’m going to witness the next cycling fatality.

Jennifer M. Ytuarte other vehicle on the road. likely, I will not survive.

The Velo cycling club sponsors a beginner journalism sophomore Bicycles are not allowed to Cyclists, I can hear ride and safety clinic on the fifth Saturday of ride on sidewalks. you cheering, but it the month.

I am allowed to bike in the middle of the works both ways.

This means they meet in January, April, July, right-hand lane when there isn’t an adequate Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

October and November. bike path or I feel safety is an issue.

If you want to be respected on the road, you In October, the group ride is from 8:30 a.m.In February 2010, a safe passing city ordihave to follow the rules.

10 a.m. to Oct. 29 at Brackenridge Park, 2800 nance went into effect, requiring at least 3 feet Motorists grumble about cyclists ignoring Broadway. distance between motor vehicles and “vulnerred lights or running stop signs.

For more information, call 210-383-3660. able road users” on all sides.

I grumble, too. I know why you don’t stop, Community involvement as a whole will Vulnerable applies not only to cyclists, but but is that loss of momentum worth your life? help us move closer to a bike-friendly city. motorized scooters, skateboarders and motorVehicle laws apply to us as well, even though I dream of San Antonio as the new Portland, ized wheelchairs. not heavily enforced. where the symbiotic dance between bicycles It also states vulnerable road users have the We’re not New York bike messengers, stop and cars makes the public active drivers.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.”

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. 26, 2011 • 21

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

22 • Sept. 26, 2011

The Ranger

Pulse

Free STD testing up in air for fall Peer Educators offer counseling, condoms and class presentations.

By Jennifer Flores In past semesters, Peer Educators offered free STD testing to students on campus, but because of the recent closing of the college health center, the group doesn’t know what will happen this fall.

“Not having the health services has affected us,” sophomore Michael Lozano said.

“We have a lot of students coming to us, asking about the services and where they can find them,” he said.

Peer Educators offer free condoms, information on STDs and diabetes, sites for free HIV testing and referrals to counselors.

If they don’t have information on something, they will research it for students.

Peer Educators also offer peer counseling.

If students suffer from depression, anxiety, stress or mental or physical disorders, they can

find someone to talk to in Peer Educators.

They can also assist in cases of dating violence, drug and alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted infections or cancer.

Nursing sophomore Leticia Sandoval said, “We are not professionals, but we will talk to students if they are having a bad day. We are also students and know what they are going through.”

Sandoval is also a work-study student in Peer Educators.

“Everything remains confidential. What is said in here stays in here,” she said.

Peer Educators also help for professors with a program called “Don’t Cancel That Class.”

If a professor is unable to make class, they can request a presentation from the Peer Educators.

Peer Educators are in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center and can be reached at 210486-1448.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ACCD-FLAA VS

Alamo Community College District Faculty Legal Action Association

All Faculty at San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College, Northwest Vista College, and Northeast Lakeview College If you are concerned about the legality of some recent and proposed actions by the Alamo Colleges, the membership of the ACCD-FLAA invites you to join them in protecting our collective legal interests. The ACCD-FLAA was formed as a non-profit corporation in 1986 to monitor the official conduct of the Board of Trustees, District administration, and the various colleges administrations. We may pursue legal remedies on matters concerning shared contractual and constitutional rights, academic freedom, and the interests of the faculty, students and the public.

To join or get more information contact: Gerald Busald at 288-1251, (830) 438-5593, gbusald@aol.com or Pat Norrgran at 355-7956.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 relations office.

Public information officer Julie Cooper said the office helps direct outside media outlets to proper sources. She said Posadas may be misinterpreting policy.

When told that reporters for The Ranger encounter fewer problems interviewing administrators and other college officials, Posadas said, “I am staff. I am a director.” He refused to explain why he would not speak about his activities in a managerial position at a public institution.

Posadas then said he would charge the reporter with harassment if attempts to speak to him continued.

When reminded that taxpayers pay his salary, he simply responded “yes.” For fiscal year 2010-11, Posadas’ salary was $54,635.28.

The operating budget for the sports program at this college is funded entirely by the student activity fee assessed at $1 per semester hour for every student enrolled.

For more information, call student life at 210-486-0125.

Adultery workshop offers help for hurt

By Jennifer Flores In today’s society, a lot of people stay in a marriage or relationship even after a significant other has cheated.

The reasons for staying can vary from for the benefit of the children, the fear of being alone or because it is very familiar.

Professor Cynthia Flores-Martinez, who teaches SOCI 2301, Marriage and Family, explained that there are many reasons people stay in a marriage.

“Sometimes, we find financial reasons, the children. It may be more convenient to stay rather than leave. They may believe they are in love or they don’t have anything else to go to,” Flores-Martinez said.

There is help for those who are trying to maintain the relationship. Zeitgeist Expressions offers individual or group counseling, health and wellness programs, critical incident debriefing, corporate and family retreats, workshops and seminars.

It offers a support group for survivors of adultery that meets 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every other Thursday at 1222 N. Main, Suite 740.

Sessions are limited to 10 people, age 18 or older.

Cost is $45 a session, but the first session is free.

Patricia E. Adams, director of counseling services, leads sessions along with volunteer mentor Molly Keener.

For more information, call 210-271-7411 or visit www.zeitgeistexpressions.com.

The Ranger

Pulse

Sept. 26, 2011 • 23

AIDS Foundation reaches 25 years Center provides hospice, support, anonymous HIV testing and hope for patients with AIDS.

By Hilary Martinez The San Antonio Aids Foundation is celebrating its 25 years this fall.

The foundation was founded in 1986 to raise awareness on human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. “It was founded to educate people about who it affects, who is at risk, and what it is to live with AIDS,” HIV educator Adriana Salazar said.

In the past, the foundation provided free HIV testing at this campus numerous times throughout the semester.

However, the recent closing of the college health center leaves the future of testing on campus unknown.

Everyone is welcome to get free HIV testing at the foundation, and students are encouraged to visit 818 Grayson St., which is 1.7 miles away from the college.

The clinic offers anonymous and confidential testing and counseling in English and Spanish.

“People have the option to test with or without a name,” Salazar said.

Minors are able to get testing and do not need parental consent.

Although they typically get tested from their prenatal physician, pregnant women can also get safe, confidential testing.

“Anyone having sex, including oral, vaginal and anal, should be tested at least once a year. If they have multiple partners, which is more than four, they should be tested every six months,” Salazar said.

The tests are done by oral rapid HIV tests.

“Oral swab tests are a simple way of testing for HIV. The person is swabbed orally to get a sample of saliva, then that is mixed with fluid in a test tube, which will show if there are HIV antibodies present,” Salazar said.

Test results are usually ready within 20 minutes.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among Americans ages 25-44. In 1995, AIDS was the No. 1 cause of death.

“HIV is only found in the four body fluids: blood, vaginal fluid, semen fluid and breast milk,” Salazar said.

“The virus gets into a specific area of the bloodstream of the other person through a mucus membrane, which gets the infected fluids into the person’s bloodstream,” she said.

Common early symptoms of AIDS are chills, fever, sweats, swollen lymph glands, weakness and weight loss.

The foundation also offers medical care, dental care, housing assistance, drug and substance abuse treatment and counseling.

Salazar said the foundation is a service organization, which caters to patients with AIDS. It also provides education all over Bexar County, including schools, businesses and medical facilities.

There are also other options to get tested.

“Primary care physicians can test for HIV along with other AIDS foundations, although their methods may differ, including blood testing,” Salazar said.

The foundation also participates in fundraisers throughout the year such as Walk for Life.

The annual WEBB Party, a fundraising and awareness cocktail event that happens during the first part of Fiesta, includes festivities such as cuisine tasting, performances, a silent auction, open bars and guest DJs. “Everyone has a chance to buy tickets and students and military get a discount. It is a fun party where people get to be glamorous,” Salazar said.

The foundation also has many volunteers who raise money by doing bake sales and hosting benefits to help fund the organization.

The clinic is open from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

Testing is available on a walk-in basis.

They can be called at 210-225-4715 for more information.

Campus Activities Board discusses potential events Student life assistant coordinator stifles budget conversation.

By Alma Linda Manzanares The Campus Activities Board brainstormed ideas for upcoming events Monday in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin Student Center.

According to their Facebook page, the Campus Activities Board is a student-run and student-funded organization that is dedicated to programming the best in diverse entertainment to service students,

faculty, staff and community.

An application was found on orgsync.com for students to apply for positions on the organization, but it was outdated with a deadline of Jan. 28. No information about the organization was found on the student life website.

Mark Bigelow, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, and two student members attended the meeting.

Events discussed included a family fun night, a softball day offcampus at a park and a bowling night.

Intellectual events discussed

included an art show, a lecture by a motivational speaker and an event where students would sample foods from around the world.

The organization did not set any specific times, dates or places.

Bigelow advised members to look at events at other colleges and universities but to remember this college has a smaller budget.

When asked how much the budget is, Bigelow whispered to a member that they could not discuss that during the meeting.

Budgets of public institutions are public information.

Before the meeting began,

Bigelow agreed to answer questions from a Ranger reporter, but when the first student member arrived, Bigelow shifted his attention to the meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bigelow declined to answer a reporter’s questions. He did not return calls the following day.

The next meeting is 4 p.m.5 p.m. today in the faculty and staff lounge of Loftin. Meetings are scheduled for every Monday throughout the semester.

For more information, call the office of student life at 210-4860125.

The Ranger

News

Sept. 26, 2011 • 24

College sports teams Reds — for now Student life director refuses interview, threatens Ranger reporter with harassment charges.

By Joshua Fechter As of summer 2011, this college’s sports teams are no longer called the Rangers. Instead, they are temporarily called the Reds.

This decision continues a decade-long effort to retire the Ranger as the college mascot, adopted in 1927.

In fall 2010, the college executive team decided to remove the image of the Ranger from the floor in Gym 1 of Candler Physical Education Center during a $12,000 refurbishing over the semester break.

President Robert Zeigler said because the college was moving away from the mascot, they decided not to put the image back.

Fabian Cortez, special projects coordinator for the office of student life, said the Ranger is not the college mascot according to the president’s office, and athletes are technically in club teams, not official college teams.

Cortez said he and Jacob Martinez, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, will attend teams’ practices to discuss names. He said he does not know whether the teams will share a name or if each will choose a different name.

Men’s soccer coach Robert Ramirez said Monday that team members do not like the name Reds, and he does not know what the name means.

“Are we representing the color?” Ramirez said. “There’s no mascot to go with the name.”

Ramirez said student life did not consult the team on the name.

Men’s baseball coach Sam Gallegos said it does not matter what the name is because athletes will play no matter what.

Ramirez said the decision came from student life Director Jorge Posadas, who told him the teams could not share a name with the college news organization, which publishes as The Ranger online and in print.

Cortez said he could not confirm that and suggested speaking to Posadas.

President Robert Zeigler said Tuesday neither he nor Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student affairs, knew about this decision.

En route to the office of student life Monday

Alexandra Nelipa

afternoon in Loftin Student Center, a reporter spotted Posadas near the information desk and approached him for comment. Posadas said he would not comment on administrative decisions.

Posadas previously has refused to conduct telephone or in-person interviews with student reporters. The Ranger does not allow student reporters to conduct e-mail interviews except in unusual circumstances, such as military personnel serving overseas.

The reporter accompanied him to the office of student life, and Posadas repeated he does not give interviews.

He said the proper procedure for obtaining an interview from him is to go through the public

“Are we representing the color? There’s no mascot to go with the name.”

Robert Ramirez men’s soccer coach

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22