The Ranger Nov. 12, 2010

Vol. 85 Issue 9

Single copies free

Nov. 12, 2010

The Ranger A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

Strength Society

presses to Las Vegas

SPRING REGISTRATION 3 KSYM ALT TO HUNGER 12 SGA CANDIDATES 15

2 • Nov. 12, 2010

The Ranger •

The Ranger A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

Mark Garza, owner of South Texas Memorials, hammers medals of the five branches of the military onto the Phi Theta Kappa veterans memorial Wednesday in preparation for the unveiling Thursday. Tyler K. Cleveland

This issue

3 News

Officials offer tips for registration Story by Jacob Beltran

8 Honors students,

families locked out of honors ceremony

Story by Joshua Fechter Photo by Carmen Sanjuan

13 ‘The Red Carpet’ catwalk

the bar high for competition

Story by Megan Mares Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

Story by Roxanna Flores Photos by Alison Wadley

Barbecue with board at noon today Story by Joshua Fechter

Some Banner glitches fixed before spring

9

Open house showcases sociology courses, careers

14 Calendar

Story by Zahra Farah

Story by Stefania Malacrida Photo by Alison Wadley

15 SGA officer voting

4 Blotter 5 News

Student life offers to supply more iPads Story by Melody Mendoza

Activity fee fund depletes quickly Story by Melody Mendoza

10 Budget cuts restructure

early childhood studies Story by Jacob Beltran

11 Quitters burned

Story by Joshua Fechter

16 Teaching academy moves and moves

Story by Kristina Coble

on cessation session

Pulitzer prize

Story by Roxanna Flores Photo by Tyler K. Cleveland

Photo by D.L. Gonzalez

6 Stars catch summer ride

12 International is flavor

Story by Megan Mares Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

Story by Jennifer M. Ytuarte

with NASA

begins Monday

of the week

Concert collects for hungry Story by Aaron Nielsen

17 Pulse

Avoid winter weight Story by J. Almendarez Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

18 Strength Society sets

20 Faculty Senate wants new librarians to remain faculty Story by Zahra Farah

21 Editorials

Fees a con’s shell game Uncle Sam wants you to help vets

22 Devoted service

deserving of campus memorial

Letters to the Editor Financial aid failures Mixed signals ACES anything but

24 People

Cover: Kinesiology sophomore Adrian Frausto spots kinesiology sophomore Andres Cruz as he bench presses 190 pounds at the gym at Palo Alto.

Alison Wadley

The Ranger

News

Nov. 12, 2010 • 3

Officials offer tips for spring registration

By Jacob Beltran Many students faced trouble when registering for fall classes in Banner, and with spring registration beginning Monday, students should be aware of some tips on how to register to avoid being dropped from classes.

“Some of the biggest registration problems from the ACES registration system this semester came from students who made course changes and were unaware of the cost or credit-hour differences,” said Jo-Carol Fabianke, associate vice chancellor for academic partnerships and initiatives.

Fabianke recommends that students check the balance each time they make any change in schedule before or even after a payment deadline. “Just because you’ve paid

something doesn’t mean you don’t have a balance” she said.

Fabianke said students should know exactly what course they will add if they plan to drop a course and replace it with another.

She also suggests keeping track of payment deadlines and avoiding course changes on the day of a payment deadline. Students who do not pay for courses before 6 p.m. in person or 11 p.m. online on payment dates will be dropped from all courses and will have to re-register. “This system is much more time sensitive than the previous semester,” Fabianke said. “If a student makes any changes, the system will adjust the balance.”

The system also will generate a refund check for students with financial aid.

“We need to know that you

Deadlines Classes begin Jan. 18. Jan. 18-19 are change, add and drop days.

There are three payment deadlines for the full spring semester.

Register

Due

Monday-Dec. 9 Dec. 10-Jan. 6 Jan. 7-15

Dec. 9 Jan. 6 Jan. 15

really mean to come,” Fabianke said. “If you’re not going to take it, someone else can take that seat.”

Fabianke said that drop dates allow students another chance to register for a class that filled before the payment date.

For students who have not yet applied to any of the Alamo Colleges, Jan. 7 is the last day to submit an ApplyTexas application

for those who want to take courses beginning Jan. 18.

The Start 2 date for spring semester is Jan. 31, and registration begins Jan. 18. The last day to apply for start 2 classes through the ApplyTexas applications is Jan. 21.

Fabianke said that Start 2 was kept so that students who are procrastinators or transferring from a different college or university won’t be discouraged from attending if they miss the first start.

Fabianke said basic skills courses are now in the system, and students who can’t register for a course may want to review their prerequisites to ensure all are met.

SAC students can check prerequisites and basic skills course requirements on the online catalog at www.alamo.edu/sac under the class schedule/catalog section.

Some Banner ‘glitches’ to be fixed before spring

By Zahra Farah Twenty to 40 core problems that plagued fall registration have been fixed for spring registration, which begins Monday, Dr. Tom Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, said. These are among 150 problems reported by college faculty, staff and students during “Lessons Learned” sessions in September and October.

At the Oct. 12 Accountability and Student Success Committee meeting, Cleary reported his team collected 300 problems experienced during registration, but half of the problems were duplicates. He said of the 150 problems identified, only 20 to 40 of those had an outcome influencing students’ registration experience.

A major change in the spring registration process is that chairs and academic unit assistants are being trained to be maintenance users.

Maintenance users have full access to the Banner system and can remove holds and check prerequisites among other functions. The use of designated maintenance users to serve all departments has been discontinued.

One reason for long lines at admissions and records in the fall was the limited access faculty

Registration dates

Nov. 15 - Students with 46 hours or more Nov. 16 - Students with 31 hours or more Nov. 17 - Students with 16 hours or more Nov. 18 - Students with one hour or more Nov. 19 - Open for all students

had to Banner, he said.

Now some faculty can access students’ transcripts for advising and help students register for classes, he said. Registration is self-service, but faculty will be there to help. Cleary said faculty and staff at the colleges did not get enough training before fall registration. More training sessions are now being offered.

Students will be now be able to update contact information when they register for classes, he said.

For fall registration, students could not do so, leaving some contacts outdated. This caused problems for departments trying to reach students.

Cleary’s department also rebuilt the entire class schedule in Banner to show courses and room numbers at the correct colleges.

For student services, they have re-engineered the purge management process, so stu-

dents are given enough notification time on purges and not accidentally purged out of the system or experience back-to-back purges.

Cleary said his department aligned all college and district registration schedules and has caught up on the new ApplyTexas applications that were backlogged in the fall. The IT department has added software to speed up the response time on applications.

The turnaround time for ApplyTexas application will be four business days. The plan is to add temporary staffing during peak registration periods to support central district help desk.

Students will be e-mailed in 24 hours that their ApplyTexas application has been received, by the center for student information and their application will be processed. Cleary said there are high expectations registration will run more smoothly because “students have already gone through it once before.”

In the citizens-to-be-heard session at the Oct. 26 regular board meeting, a student said district was blaming registration problems on them because students did not understand Banner. Cleary said when he heard it, “my little heart melted,” and even though he respects the student’s opinion, he was offended.

Blotter

4 • Nov. 12. 2010 SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

Tip of the week

Warrant roundup Fact: On Oct. 29, an Alamo Colleges officer assisted U.S. Marshal’s Office in executing a warrant at Northeast Lakeview College.

Nov. 1 — Individual reported suspicious activity at a bus stop.

Unable to locate suspects.

Individual reported suspicious person near Lot 21.

Individual reported theft in Moody.

Individual reported suspicious males harassing women in Lot 21. Male suspects were released.

Officer reported a student injured a knee in a gym. EMS transported to hospital.

Nov. 2 — Subject was issued a criminal trespass warning in Lot 12.

Individual reported a suspicious person near Park Place.

Julysa Sosa

Sgt. Ben Peña said if the San Antonio Police Department contacts him about a student with an outstanding warrant, the Alamo Colleges Police Department will assist.

For more information about crime prevention, visit the police department web site at http://www.alamo.edu/district/ dps/seclinks/prevention.htm.

Contact Info Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189

Nov. 3 — Individual reported graffiti in a restroom in Moody.

Individual reported suspicious activity near bus stop.

Individual reported theft of property from the bookstore in Loftin. No suspects.

Individual reported burglary of a vehicle near campus police office. No suspects.

Nov. 4 — Individual was arrested for possession of a controlled substance near Methodist Student Center.

Criminal trespass warning was issued to a nonstudent near Methodist Student Center.

Individual reported graffiti in the men’s bathroom near nursing complex.

Individual reported graffiti on Candler. No suspects.

Nov. 7 — Individual reported damage to vehicle in a hit-andrun accident near Park Place.

NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE Nov. 1 — Individual reported suspicious activity near the learning resource center.

Nov. 3 — Individual reported theft of property in the learning resource center.

Nov. 4 — Property found off campus turned into property locker.

Nov. 5 — Property damage reported in Lot 7.

The Ranger Individual reported theft of property in Lot 8.

Individual reported criminal mischief done to his property in Lot 6. No subjects located.

PALO ALTO COLLEGE Nov. 1 — Individual reported theft of property in natatorium gymnasium.

Individual reported suspicious person on campus. Subject released.

Nov. 2 — Individual reported a suspicious person near Palomino.

Officer reported a disturbance between two students near the student center.

Found property near performing arts turned in to property locker.

NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE

Nov. 3 — Individual reported injury in natatorium gymnasium.

EMS refused.

Nov. 1 — Found property from Mountain Laurel Hall turned in to property locker.

ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE

Individual reported injury in Palmetto. EMS refused.

Individual reported injury in Juniper. EMS refused.

Found property from Mountain Laurel turned in to property locker.

Individual reported a suspicious vehicle in Lot 10. Officer unable to locate vehicle.

Individual reported her bicycle had been stolen near Loftin.

Nov. 2 — Individual reported injury in Mountain Laurel. EMS refused.

Nov. 5 — Individual reported feeling ill near Loftin. EMS was refused.

Nov. 3 — Individual reported suspicious activity in Huisache.

No subjects located.

Nov. 1 — Individual reported theft of property near applied science. No suspects located.

Nov. 2 — Found property turned in to campus police office. Item placed in property locker.

Individual reported a hit-andrun accident near campus police office.

Nov. 3 — Individual reported theft of property in the science building. No suspects.

Property found in center for learning resource turned into property locker.

Individual reported theft of property from gym. Suspect fled scene.

The Ranger

News

Student life offers to supply more iPads Members say closed meeting offer is opposed, denied, welcomed or rejected.

By Melody Mendoza On Nov. 4, Jorge Posadas, director of student life, suggested that student life buy iPads for members of the Student Activity Fee Committee.

Student life staff has already been equipped with seven iPads at a cost of $499 each ostensibly to reduce printing.

The committee is made up of four faculty or staff members and five students who select proposals funded by a $1 per semester hour fee charged to every student. This year, about $400,000 was collected from the student activity fee.

The committee includes philosophy Chair John Visintainer; student development Professor Dehlia Wallis; theater Professor Charles Falcon; and Melody Hull, American Sign Language professor.

Students on the committee are Tara Haley; Leo Herbeck; Daniel Having; Sam Huckleberry, history sophomore and vice president of Student Government Association; and Jacob Wong, psychology freshman and SGA commissioner.

Posadas wrote in an e-mail that FERPA prevented him from supplying classification and majors for the three other students.

Jackson said faculty and staff committee members are appointed by President Robert Zeigler, and students are appointed by SGA. Falcon said faculty serve two-year terms; however, Hull is serving a third year. She said the committee needed consistency. “I’ll probably be on it this year,” Hull said.

Posadas facilitates the meetings but is a nonvoting member. The meetings are not open to the public.

Huckleberry said Monday that Posadas suggested the idea of iPads to the committee.

He said Falcon made the motion, and Hull, Herbeck, Having and Visintainer approved it.

Students Haley and Wong, and Wallis did not attend this meeting.

But Tuesday, Falcon said he is not allowed to talk about committee discussions and that he hadn’t heard about iPads.

Hull said Monday that the idea for iPads is still “up in the air.” She said the committee eats up a lot of paper and, with the iPads, the committee can view funding requests. She said some of the other members bring their

laptops, but she doesn’t have a laptop.

Huckleberry said Monday he opposed the purchase because it was “inappropriate spending” for the committee to get iPads to use “strictly for an hour for seven times out of the year.”

He said the committee has plenty of time to review the requests before meetings.

Student life requires clubs to provide printed documents proving eligibility, including itemized budget sheets.

Visintainer, who has been on the committee since August, said Monday the iPads were “thrown out as an idea” but said he wouldn’t accept an iPad during a time of budget cuts.

He said if they tried to give him one, he’d say, “I don’t need one. Thank you very much.”

Visintainer said iPads might help but are not necessary, and as far as he understood, they would not be funded with the committee’s budget. He said the money from the committee’s budget has to be used for students.

Wallis, who wasn’t able to attend the meeting because of a family emergency, said she had no idea about the iPads and did not want to comment.

Huckleberry said Wednesday that Posadas sent an e-mail to the committee members telling them not to comment.

Fabian Cortez, special projects coordinator, said the minutes of the meeting should be posted by the end of the week. Jackson said Cortez transferred from the dual credit office this semester and organizes special events such as the three Hispanic Heritage Month performances of Ballet Folklórico Fiesta Mexicana, a group from Mexico who performed at this college for a fee of $15,000.

Posadas wasn’t in the office until Wednesday and did not return a call for comment. His staff said he was “in and out of the office.”

He requested an e-mail interview in an electronic message sent from his iPad. Ranger policy requires reporters to conduct interviews in person or by telephone unless circumstances, such as distance, make that impossible. Posadas was unwilling to meet with a Ranger reporter in person or conduct a telephone interview.

For more information on the Student Activity Fee Committee, visit http://www. alamo.edu/sac/stulife/html/activities/safee. htm to download proposal applications or to serve on the committee. The 2010-11 student activities fee budget also can be found there.

Nov. 12, 2010 • 5

Activity fee fund depletes quickly

By Melody Mendoza The Student Activity Fee Committee meets in closed session monthly to consider proposals from student organizations and departments.

Students pay a fee of $1 per semester hour, which this year generated about $400,000.

Of that $320,000 is designated for health center enhancements, unanticipated expenses, student life staff, campuswide events and equipment and supplies for Loftin Student Center, according to a budget on the student life website.

Of the remaining $80,000, the committee has already distributed $32,870.

The Film and Lecture Committee of visual arts was given $2,900 for a show and lecture in September and $2,000 for a show in spring. The Gay and Lesbian Association received $4,550 for a spring conference, “Creating Change.” The association was also issued $406 for a Human Rights Campaign fundraising gala.

Phi Theta Kappa honor society received $2,454 for fall and spring inductions. Student members of the American Institute of Architecture were awarded $5,480 to attend the national convention.

Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists collected $4,080 for a convention in Anaheim, Calif.

The Onstage Drama Club received $11,000 for a trip to New York City in May. The Student Activity Fee Committee can distribute the remaining $47,130 to fund proposals.

The Ranger reported Nov. 4 that $154,518.83 was added to the committee’s account for underpayments in fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. This is not included in the online budget.

Jeff Jackson, assistant director of student life, said he had no idea how the money would be spent but expected it not to be spent in one year.

According to the Student Activity Fee Committee website, “The committee reviews requests for funding from students, student organizations, campuswide committees and faculty and staff looking to develop an activity specifically for students.”

Philosophy Chair John Visintainer said a funding request might be denied if the club asks to stay in an unreasonable place. “It can’t be a vacation,” he said.

Tyler Archer, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, trains clubs on how to fill out an application. Jackson said he doesn’t think there are any more training sessions this semester. The last session was Nov. 2.

6 • Nov. 12, 2010

News

The Ranger

Electrical engineering sophomore Rene Zamora, president of MexicanAmerican Engineers and Scientists, displays a red bell pepper plant he grew hydroponically in the greenhouse for a lunar farming project. He spent eight weeks in summer growing vegetables in water because soil cannot be used in space. Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

Stars catch summer ride with NASA Engineering students’ projects could hasten space colonization.

By Megan Mares Engineering students made one small step toward their futures and one giant leap for San Antonio College last summer.

Engineering sophomores Josue CruzLambert and Kim Shrewsbury and Dr. Dan Dimitriu, engineering coordinator here, worked 40 hours a week side-by-side with professional engineers at Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake just south of Houston for 10 weeks.

On Oct. 19, in the Math Engineering Science Achievement Study Center, students shared their experiences at NASA. They also presented on their eight-week, on-campus project on solar panels, biometrics and lunar farming.

Dimitriu said, “It’s been my dream to work at NASA since I lived in Romania. I said, ‘One day, I

will work there,’ and I did.” called Curriculum Improvement Partnership A design engineer for many years, Dimitriu Award for the Integration of Research. used his experience designing liquid confineStudents will use the opportunities gained ments to design a collapsible water from the time spent during the bladder that can be anchored. internship to help launch their own The bladder provides pressurengineering careers and continued ized access to liquid from a plateducation at four-year universities. form with removable and adjustShrewsbury said, “Because of able screw-on legs to accommodate this, I know that I will be an engithe rocky and uneven terrain of the neer. There’s no turning back.” moon’s surface.

A special guest for the presentaThe prototype is 4 feet by 4 feet tion praised the students’ efforts. and holds about 200 gallons of Dan Dimitriu Dr. Lenell Allen is the manager of water. As the water is drained for minority education programs at the use, the bladder’s accordion folds California Institute of Technology, compress.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA. “I am sendAll of the experiments the students and ing out accolades and saying this is great!” she professor worked on in summer could one said. “You are on the right track. Keep doing day potentially help colonize the moon and what you’re doing here at this community colplanets. lege.”

The NASA internship was fully funded by For more information, call Dimitriu at 210a three-year grant awarded jointly with UTSA 486-1309.

The Ranger

Electrical engineering sophomore Kim Shrewsbury speaks Oct. 19 about her experience interning at the Johnson Space Center.

News

Nov. 12, 2010 • 7

Electrical engineering sophomore Josue Cruz-Lambert tells about his experience interning with NASA thanks to a grant awarded jointly with UTSA, the Curriculum Improvement Partnership Award for the Integration of Research to attract minority students into science careers.

Dr. Dan Dimitriu’s illustration of his pressurized water container invention in use on the lunar surface. Courtesy

8 • Nov. 12, 2010

News

The Ranger

Honor students are awarded in a Nov. 4 ceremony in McAllister, but not all students and their families were allowed inside. Carmen Sanjuan

Honors students, families locked out of honors ceremony

By Joshua Fechter Computer science sophomore Travis Wilke said he was happy when he received a letter from this college’s public relations office informing him he earned the President’s PartTime Honors and would be recognized in a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Wilke, along with his wife, Laura, and their 10-month-old daughter, drove through traffic for an hour and a half from their home in New Braunfels to attend the ceremony.

When they arrived at the auditorium at 5:50 p.m., they were told the auditorium had hit capacity and there was no place for his wife and daughter to sit.

Instead of sitting down in the section reserved for honors recipients, Wilke stood with his family in the back of the auditorium.

Wilke said campus police told them they could not stand at the back because it was a fire hazard.

Wilke said he and 40 other people including honors recipients, families and friends were left standing in the lobby of the auditorium and told an announcement would be made when they could come back inside.

However, no announcement came, the doors were locked and the ceremony started without them.

The doors to the balcony of the auditorium

were also locked.

Wilke said the people in the lobby could hear the ceremony over a loudspeaker.

“Somebody near me said, ‘That’s my mom going up on stage, I won’t get to see her,’” he said.

The auditorium seats 994, but apparently not all seats were filled when the doors were locked.

Wilke said he spoke with a coordinator of the event and was told he would have to pick up his honorary certificate and pin from the public relations office in Fletcher Administration Center.

Coordinator of communication Valerie McCoy said keeping them in the lobby was an inconvenience, but safety is the first priority.

Wilke said he was unhappy with how the people in the lobby were treated.

“They could have handled this better than just locking us out,” he said.

President Robert Zeigler said this is the first time the honors ceremony has overflowed.

Zeigler said to prevent this from happening in the future, coordinators could possibly set aside an overflow room in McAllister with a video feed of the ceremony.

McCoy said perhaps setting up an RSVP system or limiting the number of guests would prevent this problem for future ceremonies.

According to the office of public relations, 6,193 students were eligible for honors for fall 2009 and spring 2010.

McCoy said 342 honors recipients attended this year’s ceremony.

Last year, 242 recipients attended the ceremony.

In the letter sent to students, they were told to sign in from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

However, students were allowed to sign in and take their seats until 6:15 p.m.

There are four categories of honors: honors, part-time honors, president’s honors and president’s part-time honors.

To qualify for honors, students must be enrolled for 12 or more hours, have a GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA of 3.5-3.99.

Students who qualify for part-time honors must be enrolled for six to 11 hours, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA of 3.5-3.99.

To qualify for president’s honors, students must be enrolled for twelve or more hours, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA of 4.0.

To receive part-time president’s honors, students must be enrolled for six to eleven hours, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and semester GPA of 4.0.

McCoy said there will not be another honors ceremony to make up for the overflow, but recipients may pick up their honorary certificate and pin in the public relations office 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room 313 of Fletcher.

For more information, call public relations at 486-0881.

The Ranger

Nov. 12, 2010 • 9

News

Students changing classes Tuesday in the mall show a diversity in race, ethnicity and ages. Alison Wadley

Open house showcases sociology courses, careers Classes teach value of pluralism, cultural enclaves in society.

By Stefania Malacrida With its diverse student population, this campus represents an interesting microcosm.

“I remember one class where I had a dualcredit, 15-year-old, home-schooled student and a 60-year-old, retired woman who was studying just for fun,” sociology Instructor Terri Slonacker said.

Three generations apart, the two students sat next to each other, exchanging projects and ideas — “and in what other college can you find this?” she said.

That diversity is the perfect setting for answering the question: What is sociology?

“A sociology course allows to see beyond the labels and helps to acknowledge diversity as a positive factor of society,” she said.

During an annual open house in the sociology program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in Room 303 of Chance Academic Center, students will have a good opportunity to learn more.

In concert with the beginning of registration for spring, all sociology faculty — three full-time and eight part-time — will be available to talk to students and distribute course summaries and fliers that explain transfer and job opportunities.

Presenting the event, Slonacker described one of her classes. “At one point, I show a video.”

The “Frontline” video called “A Class Divided” features a two-day experiment in which a third grade teacher provides an object lesson about discrimination on the day after the murder of the

“A sociology course allows to see beyond the labels and helps to acknowledge diversity as a positive factor of society.”

Terri Slonacker sociology instructor

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in April 1968.

She divides the class into blue- and browneyed children. The kids are allowed or forbidden to do things depending on their eye color. Some of them receive privileged treatment and others don’t, just on the basis of appearance.

The program remains one of the most requested episodes of “Frontline” and can be found in a link on the home page of the PBS series at www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/.

“This experiment is very controversial and somehow painful,” Slonaker said.

It is uncomfortable to see children being mean to each other, she continued.

But in general, the video is well-received by a mature college audience because it clearly shows how easily social labels lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Widening the view from a third grade class to the world, social stratifications become more complicated, ranging from nationality and ethnicity to social status, education and gender.

For example, in San Antonio, “some neighborhoods are third- to fourth-generation Hispanic,” Slonacker said. “Also, in Houston, there are areas of Vietnamese immigration

where the population is predominantly Asian.”

In some of these neighborhoods, people don’t even speak English. Sociologists call them “cultural enclaves” or “cultural pockets.”

Is this a good or a bad thing?

Slonacker said, “A pluralistic society accepts cultural enclaves, but at the same time, these enclaves shouldn’t be confused with segregation. It’s my pico de gallo theory: All the flavors blend together, but no flavor is predominant,” she said.

In a sense, San Antonio seems at an advantage because of its proximity to Mexico and because of its military residents.

“Thanks to our more dynamic population, it is easier here to teach the value and benefits of diversity than in a homogeneous environment.

However, we may have other, more subtle types of labeling — for example, size. Often, overweight people are negatively labeled or discriminated,” Slonacker said.

Also, accepting diversity doesn’t mean changing one’s mind. “I always say to the students, ‘I don’t want to change what you think, but how you think,’” she said, stressing the need for critical thinking.

From a practical point of view, a sociology degree can lead to a number of careers, including those in international affairs, diplomacy or government jobs in the Census Bureau, FBI or CIA. “I was personally offered a job in the CIA some years ago, but I refused,” Slonacker said.

“I love teaching sociology — and I love teaching at SAC.” For more information, visit http://www. alamo.edu/sac/soc.

10 • Nov. 12, 2010

News

The Ranger

Budget cuts restructure early childhood studies

By Jacob Beltran The early childhood studies department canceled child care in the early childhood center for Summer 2. Now parents of children enrolled in the center will need to find alternative summer care in 2011.

In August, early childhood center employees switched from a 12-month to nine-month contract, which forced three employees to leave the department and two to leave the college.

“People who left needed to work for 12 months,” early childhood studies Chair Ellen Marshall said. “Many employees had their pay reduced by a fourth.”

Claudia Gonzalez, former early childhood teacher, is now the interim coordinator for the early childhood center.

Earlene Gonzales, former director of the early childhood studies center, took the position of director of child care development in March at UTSA’s early childhood center.

Her former assistant coordinator, Alfonso

Ortiz, took her position when she left but has left the college for a position with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Marshall said the department received special permission at the end of August to advertise the coordinator of the early childhood center position externally, but there were no qualified applicants.

“Many of the applicants just didn’t have the experience with a nationally accredited center,” she said. The position is no longer open.

The college’s early childhood center is in Year 3 of its five-year national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The early childhood center has been accredited since 1986 and was the first center in San Antonio to become nationally accredited.

Among other changes, one of two cooks, Mary Ester Moreno, moved to a clerk position left vacant when Mary Schlaibig moved to student life as a secretary.

If students find their own state accredited care and education center, they can still apply through the early childhood center for tuition assistance.

The center accepts children of students and employees here from 6 weeks to 4 years.

Students can be assessed a sliding scale tuition from $25 to $65 weekly with tuition assistance from one of two grants.

Employees pay full tuition of $179-$199 per week depending on the age of the child.

Employees and students pay a $36 registration fee per semester.

There are 53 children enrolled in the child care center.

In the spring semester, the early childhood center had 75 children.

“We can serve 53 students with current staffing,” Gonzalez said. “The number of children we can take depends on how many people we have on staff.”

For more information on child care enrollment, call the early childhood studies department at 210-486-0500.

The Ranger

News

Nov. 12, 2010 • 11

Quitters burned on cessation session A coping skills class is scheduled Thursday.

By Roxanna Flores About 12 students sat patiently in the craft room of Loftin Student Center Wednesday, waiting for guest speaker Nicole Townsley from the American Cancer Society to talk about “Smoking Cessation.”

A little after 11 a.m., the scheduled time, Townsley told the Ranger reporter, the only one in the room with her phone number, she wouldn’t be able attend because of parking permit issues and her child had become ill.

Townsley called the health center to notify them of her cancellation, but health center Coordinator Paula Daggett and Josie Noriega, LVN, were already in the craft room.

“This is the first time this has ever happened,” Daggett said about both nurses being out of the office.

Daggett said she would call Townsley and fix the miscommunication.

The event cannot be rescheduled because the health center has a full schedule for guest speakers this semester, Daggett said.

Many of the students were disappointed when Townsley canceled because they hoped to get information about smoking.

Paralegal freshman Ashlee Kelley was hoping to get some information about smoking because she suffered from a sore throat that her doctor said was caused by smoking.

Kelley admits to smoking every other weekend but said, “I’ve always known about the risks, but I hoped it wouldn’t have happened to me.”

Although there was no guest speaker, students who stayed for the event were happy to receive a free lunch that consisted of a sandwich, chips and water, provided by the health center.

On Thursday, the health center will host “Coping Skills and Stress Management” with Shawn Owens from Clarity: Child Guidance Center at 11 a.m. in the craft room of Loftin.

This event should be beneficial to students because Owens will address how to effectively

Building attendant Gene Bueno smokes on Belknap Monday west of the Methodist Student Center. Smokers are no longer allowed to smoke on the sidewalks, President Robert Zeigler said Wednesday. “We can’t have 30 people blocking the sidewalks,” he said. “It’s intimidating for people trying to walk by.” Tyler K. Cleveland cope with stress, something students should know because finals are around the corner.

For more information, contact the health center at 210-486-0224.

Prem

12 • The Ranger

International is flavor of the week

By Jennifer M. Ytuarte Celebrate cultural diversity during International Education Week with activities throughout the district organized by the office of international programs.

A reception 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at 201 W. Sheridan kicks off events. The event includes remarks from the Mexican Consulate as well as discussions with students from France, China and Central America.

International Education Week is a joint venture of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S Department of Education.

Its goal is to promote global awareness, prepare students for exchange programs, encourage international students to study in the U.S. and promote cultural diversity.

The office of international programs is promoting its recently finalized study abroad schedule, assistant Rosa Robles said. Director Carol Fimmen said there are 10 programs planned for Maymester, Summer 1 and Summer 2.

Destinations include Costa Rica, Brazil, Russia, Austria,

For specific dates and times go to the Teach Week calendar at http:// www.alamo.edu/nvc/ programs/international_ studies/pdfs/Global_ Teach_Calendar.pdf or call Scott Walker at 210-486-4865.

Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam and Spain.

The office will discuss enrollment at St. Philip’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Heritage Pavilion.

On this campus, Tuesday history Professor Carol A. Keller presents on “Nation Branding and Heritage Tourism” from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 118 of the academic instruction center. The lecture is based on Keller’s 2009 Fulbright summer abroad program to the Sultanate of Oman and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

“Overall, we are trying to promote cultural awareness and feel it is important to prepare students for international business through study abroad opportunities,” Fimmen said.

Northwest Vista College offers an independent program starting with Tuesday’s lecture

“Maquiladora,” on NAFTA, immigration and work conditions.

On Nov. 19, the peace and conflict studies faculty host a teach-in discussing the work of Paul Rusesabagina, author of “An Ordinary Man” and subject of the film “Hotel Rwanda.”

The teach-in will discuss the genocide of 1994 in which an estimated 800,000 men, women and children lost their lives in 100 days. Professor Carlos Lopez leads the discussion from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 101 of Pecan Hall. The first 50 attendants will receive a copy of “An Ordinary Man.” For more information, call Lopez at 210-486-4604.

Events include “Where in the World Have You Been?” in which students stick a pin on a world map in Palmetto to show their country of origin, family lineage or favorite travel destination.

“Global Teach,” a new approach to educating students about cultures, invites students to sit in during regularly scheduled classes. “We open the doors to our international programs and let students learn about the global community,”said Scott Walker, international programs coordinator.

‘The Red

Concert collects for hungry

By Aaron Neilsen Mojoe, Piñata Protest, Pop Pistol and Deer Vibes, can all be seen for a mere 5 bucks or five cans of food at KSYM’s 13th annual Alt to Hunger food drive for Boysville childrens’ home.

Sam’s Burger Joint at 330 East Grayson St. will host the four bands 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

Pop Pistol, local indie rockers, bring an interesting fusion of post New Wave/Psych to the set.

If you are lucky, you might get to see them perform an odd but interesting cover of “Who Needs Forever,” the bossa nova classic made famous by Astrud Gilberto, more recently remixed by the Thievery Corporation. Pop Pistol has video on

YouTube if you want to get a feel for the band live.

DeerVibes, which rounds out the bill, is a local seven-piece outfit with a progressive indie sound, adding horns and flute to the mix.

If modern soul and progressive hiphop are your thing, check out Mojoe on the same bill. “Dirty Genes” is their most recent video on MySpace.

Boysville is an all-inclusive residential care facility for homeless youth serving South Texas since 1943. In the crunch of an $800,000 deficit, Boysville has been forced to turn away youth.

Five cans of food or $5 admit one, and one frozen turkey admits five. All proceeds go to Boysville.

For more information, call KSYM AT 210-4861373 or Sams’s Burger Joint at 210-223-2830.

Nursing freshman Pearl Salinas rehearses Red Carpet Collection.” The fashion show is Wednesday in Loftin. Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

miere

d Carpet’ catwalk

Tuesday for “The s from noon-1 p.m. d

By Megan Mares

They will model creations by aviation freshman Maikal Finch, fashion design The college will stage its fifth annu- sophomore Enrique Almanza Jr. and dance al fashion show from noon to 1 p.m. team coach Jimmy Compozano.

Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Each designer will show five to six Student Center. dresses, and the male models will provide With the theme “The Red Carpet their own suits. Student volunteers will Collection,” this will be the first to use provide makeup, hair and styling services, a traditional catwalk. For the previous but Hernandez said, “We could always use shows, models paraded in a semicircle. more help.”

Rehearsals for the show are from 2 p.m.

Hernandez has been working on this to 5 p.m. Tuesdays show since the and Thursdays. summer but she Models practice refuses to take all their “walks” to the credit. “It’s music and learn their work,” she to communicate said, “I’m just here through their to help make it all clothes. happen, but really Nineteen modit’s their show.” els, 12 female and Psychology seven male, tried Show director Miguel Cecena watches sophomore Andrea out at the beginTuesday as a model rehearses.

Longwell, one of ning of October, the models, arrived and all of them made the final cut. early for rehearsal Tuesday. Sipping an iced Carrie Hernandez, coordinator of the coffee, Longwell explained why she decidfashion show and student activities specialed to model in the upcoming fashion show. ist, said there was no specific “look” she was “It looked fun, and I never really go to seeking when she selected the models. anything on campus, so I decided to mix it “We didn’t pick them because they are up this semester,” Longwell said. tall, skinny or had previous experience,” For more information, call student life Hernandez said. at 210-486-0125.

Models Marina Sanchez, psychology freshman; medical engineering freshman Rene Delafuente; film freshman Hyium Quiroz; and medical engineering freshman Oscar Delafuente joke around.

Nov. 12, 2010 • 13

Barbecue with board at noon today

By Joshua Fechter Stop by the Fiesta Room at noon today for some chow and chat.

To familiarize students with the board of trustees, Student Government Association will offer Barbecue with the Board in Loftin Student Center.

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete Jr., District 7 trustee Blakely Latham Fernandez and District 8 trustee Gary Beitzel are expected to attend.

District 3 trustee Anna U. Bustamante and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate accepted the invitation but changed their plans.

The event a g e n d a includes trustees’ opening comments and an explanation of which districts they serve, their duties as trustees and their positions on student issues.

After their opening remarks, they will move into an open discussion and question-and-answer session on topics likely to include tuition, parking, budget cuts, textbooks, financial aid and Banner’s affect on financial aid and registration.

Tammy Kothe-Ramsey, SGA president and psychology sophomore, said students do not always have the time to attend board meetings, and this event provides an opportunity for students to interact with their representatives.

District 2 trustee Denver McClendon and District 6 trustee Gene Sprague will be out of town. District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas and District 9 trustee James Rindfuss did not respond to SGA’s invitation, Kothe-Ramsey said.

Chili with the Chairs is scheduled for noon Nov. 29 in the Fiesta Room.

SGA meets at 2 p.m. the first three Mondays of each month in the craft room in Loftin. For more information, call SGA at 210-486-1430.

14 • Nov. 12, 2010

HEALTHY WOMEN & MEN AGES 21-54 that drink beer, wine, or mixed drinks are needed for participation in research studies.

Participants will be compensated for their time and travel.

Volunteers should drink 1 to 4 days each week. Participation will last from 7:30am to about 7:30pm for 6 to 8 weekdays across a two week period. Participants may also be invited to participate in weekly visits that last for 30 minutes to 1 hour over 16 weeks.

Volunteers must be height/weight proportionate.

For more information, please contact Dina at 210‐567‐2752.

Calendar

To write for The Ranger, enroll in COMM 2311, News Gathering and Writing 1

Or if visuals are your style, sign up for COMM 2324, Photoshop COMM 2325, Web COMM 1316, News Photo 1 Call 486-1776 or visit The Ranger newsroom in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center.

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

Free baked potato after lecture. Call 210-733-1441.

Today

SAC Event: Thanksgiving lunch 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Loftin. $5.95 plus tax. Call 210-486-0125.

Deadline: For submission to the final fall issue of The Ranger Nov. 19. Call 210-486-1773.

SAC Deadline: Last day to drop fall courses with a W. SAC Transfer: Texas A&MCorpus Christi 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 210486-0864.

NVC Workshop: “The Seven Habits of Highly Successful College Students” 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 121 of Cypress.

Call 210-486-4005.

SAC Event: Second Friday Art Walk sponsored by Arts at SAC and Tobin Hill Arts Alliance. Gallery reception 5 p.m.-8 p.m. in visual arts. Call 210-486-1034.

Monday SAC Meeting: Society of MexicanAmerican Engineers and Scientists 3:30 p.m. in the MESA study center in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-1309.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Music: Guitar Ensemble with Madalyn Blanchett at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Tuesday NVC Event: Blood drive 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Lago Vista Room. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-4925.

SAC Meeting: Society of Women in Engineering noon in Room 204 of Chance.

Continues Tuesdays. Call 210-486-1309.

SAC Hot Potato: “Indoctrination and Terror” with Asslan Khaligh noon at the Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap.

Wednesday

SAC Auditions: “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” auditions 3 p.m. in McCreless Theater. Continues Thursday. Call 210-4860492.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Texas Lutheran University 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Meeting: Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science 3 p.m. in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-0342.

Thursday SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on the first floor of Chance.

Continues Nov. 30. Call 210-486-0864.

NVC Music: Orquesta Vista jazz ensemble 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. in the recital hall of Palmetto. Call 210-486-4828.

SAC Music: Jazz Ensemble Concert directed by Mark Denison 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-0255.

SAC Music: Early Music Ensemble concert directed by Madalyn Blanchett 12:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

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

The Ranger

News

Nov. 12, 2010 • 15

SGA officer voting begins Monday President

Election commences after a candidate forum Monday.

By Joshua Fechter Voting for Student Government Association’s special election will be from Monday-Nov. 19.

Candidates will run for a term from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31.

Current SGA officers are not sure how students will vote on Monday, but they met with the district technology department to arrange to vote through ACES. SGA will conduct a candidate forum noon to 1 p.m. Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Voting will commence after the candidate forum.

No candidates filed for vice president or treasurer positions.

Sam Huckleberry, the current vice president, withdrew his candidacy this week, citing a conflict with a course he needs to enroll in this spring.

Psychology s o p h o m o r e Tammy KotheRamsey said she is running for her second term as president of SGA to keep students informed and to make sure they are treated Tammy Kothe-Ramsey fairly.

“Students don’t know what district is doing to us,” she said.

Kothe-Ramsey said she wants to continue a legacy of growing presence at board meetings and on campus during her two years she has spent in SGA. She served as secretary for two semesters and vice president for one.

During her term as president, the organization has conducted a student survey regarding their experiences with Banner, spoken at regular board meetings and hosted Pizza with the President.

Secretary Criminal justice sophomore Allison Cook said she is running for secretary because it is a good opportunity for her to get involved with the campus.

Cook said her organizational skills as a case manager at the law firm Wayne Wright Injury Lawyers has prepared her to be secretary.

Cook said she is a good role model, committed and dedicated.

“I will work full time and try to get things done,” she said.

She did not arrange to be photographed.

Nursing freshman Savahna Gomez said she is running for secretary because she likes to help people and voice her opinion.

Gomez said SGA needs to have a heavier presence by conducting more events and meetings.

She said SGA needs to make more of an effort to promote its meetings through posters on bulletins boards throughout the camSavahna Gomez pus and in the cafeteria of Loftin Student Center. “SGA needs to make it known because, right now, no one knows,” she said.

Mass communications sophomore James E. Taylor said he is running for president because he feels SGA has not done enough to bridge the gap between the campus administration and students.

James E. Taylor “It seems like they are just doing lots of play time and not actually addressing issues,” he said.

Taylor said he would like to have students on more committees and a desk for SGA in Moody Learning Center.

“SGA is here to address student concerns and solve their problems,” he said.

Taylor said he will do whatever is necessary to resolve student problems.

“Play time is over,” he said.

Commissioner Psychology freshman Jacob Wong said students should reelect him as commissioner because he does not have a personal Jacob Wong agenda.

“I represent all students,” he said.

Wong said he wants the Student Government Association to continue bridging the gap in communication between this college’s student body and administrators of the college.

“I want to ensure oversight when issues that affect students arise,” he said.

Wong is also president of the Psychology Club.

Liberal arts sopho m o r e Mariano Marquis said he is running for commissioner to develop student Mariano Marquis awareness of cutbacks in campus computer labs and the loss of free printing.

“It seems like we are losing many of our resources and at the same time, it’s becoming more expensive to come here. We’re paying more money for less,” he said.

Marquis said he would bring common sense, enthusiasm, charm, aptitude and integrity to SGA. Marquis said he is on campus frequently and tries to help students when they have a problem.

News

16 • Nov. 12, 2010

The Ranger

Teaching academy moves and moves

By Kristina Coble Constant relocation of the Teaching Academy Peers Program stressed students and faculty members.

The teaching academy on campus offers aid to education majors only.

It supports future educators in preparation for a teaching degree and certification.

The academy helps education majors register for classes, apply for scholarships, rent laptops, and order books.

Created by a title grant from UTSA in October 2003 to September 2008, the academy is able to rent laptops, books, and offer scholarships.

The academy was original-

ly located in McCreless Hall.

Sophie Caldera-Castaneda, coordinator for academic development, describes the lack of storage in the building.

“We were like a little closet,” she said.

With little space and a multitude of supplies, their offices were lacking space.

Supplies stored in different rooms made it difficult to access materials.

When the academy was institutionalized, they moved in October 2008 to Moody Learning Center Room 712 where space was abundant.

As the academy settled into its new location, its stay was cut short.

Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, ordered the move, claiming a need

for lab space for development education.

The academy moved a third time this year to room 324 of the Nail Technical Center where they reside now.

“The moving was horrible.

It was really, really rough,” Caldera-Castaneda said. “It’s hard to keep moving students.”

To help students with the new location, the academy placed signs around campus with the new location and contact information.

“Our main goal is to have all education majors to transfer with an associate degree,” Caldera-Castaneda said.

For more information, contact her at 486-0186 or visit its new location in Room 324 of Nail Technology Center.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sonia Nazario talks about the struggles of immigrant children who ride atop trains in search of family members in the U.S. Oct. 28 at St. Marys University. She writes about the hardship endured by a child in her book, “Enrique’s Journey.” The book follows Enrique from Honduras through Mexico into the U.S. on seven freight trains. Nazario took the same voyage twice. D.L. Gonzalez

The Ranger

Pulse

Nov. 12, 2010 • 17

Dietician sophomore James Rohn punches a dummy Monday in kinesiology Instructor Dawn Brooks’ physical conditioning class in Candler.

Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

Avoid winter weight

By J. Almendarez It’s coming. Overcast days without a ray of sunlight. Icy road closures. Toe socks with flip-flops.

Pockets full of tissues to accompany runny noses. Seasonal sweaters with iridescent beading. And, let’s not forget, tables piled high with buñuelos, tamales and menudo. Winter is quickly creeping upon us.

While we’re spending more time indoors and feasting on home cooking, we may be prone to forget one thing: We will be back in swimming pools by mid-March, which means that we will also be back in swimsuits.

However, you don’t have to let the seasonal treats ruin your workout and dieting plans.

Dawn Brooks, kinesiology instructor and Wellness Team adviser, offered hints to help maintain your workout and diet goals.

If you are already involved in a workout plan, Brooks suggested to

stretch more and longer than you normally would in warm weather.

She said the cold weather causes muscles to tighten, meaning that improperly stretching can increase the chance of injury.

She also recommends layering on warm clothing while working out in the cold, so that articles of clothing can be removed as you warm up.

Brooks advises wearing a hat while working out because a lot of body heat is lost through the head.

Likewise, investing in clothing made of moisture-wicking natural fabric will help you stay warm.

If you do not exercise often, Brooks recommends, “Do the little things that you wouldn’t normally do.”

That includes parking your car in the farthest part of the lot from your destination, carrying all your shopping bags as opposed to putting them in your car and opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

Kinesiology Instructor Dawn Brooks talks to students pedaling stationary bikes in a physical conditioning class Monday in Candler.

She said the calories you can burn making these simple changes will counter some bad eating habits during the holidays.

Brooks stresses moderation in servings. Giving in to food temptations doesn’t have to be detrimental.

“We eat things out of habit,” Brooks said.

Sharing your favorite foods with friends and family or saving portions of your food to snack on later can help control how many empty calories you put into your body.

Using these techniques, you can enjoy your holiday season without worrying about getting into a swimsuit in March.

18 • Nov. 12, 2010

Pulse

The Ranger

Strength Society members spur on business-kinesiology sophomore Steven Rocha as he bench presses 275 pounds. Photos by Alison Wadley

Strength Society sets the bar high for competition

By Roxanna Flores Loud clinks and clanks come from the second floor of the gym, along with men’s laughter.

Members of the Palo Alto College Strength Society can be found in the lefthand corner joking and playing around.

The Strength Society will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Goodson Honda World Bench Press and Dead Lift Championship.

The team will pack their suitcases along with their hard training and carpool together in a 15-passenger van Nov. 18.

On Nov. 19, four members will weigh in to compete the following day, and the other six will weigh in Nov. 20 to compete on Nov. 21.

Coach Juan Aguilar, kinesiology instructor at Palo Alto College, said this is the first time the team will be going to Las Vegas.

“I’m excited to show them somewhere beyond San Antonio,” he said.

Members from the Strength Society have been training vigorously and keeping up with special diets to stay on top of their game.

Kinesiology freshman Eric Ximenez, who will be competing in both bench and dead lift, has been taking supplements like protein shakes and green tea because, “it gives me that extra push.”

Ximenez is concentrating on his upper and lower body by lifting 315 pounds in bench and 500 pounds in dead lift.

Ximenez will be competing in the 181 pound division and hopes to max out in the competition by benching 300 pounds and 570 pounds in dead lift, exceeding his previous record.

“I am very confident I will place in first place,” he said.

Kinesiology sophomore Andres Cruz has a strict schedule and is preparing for the competition by running three times a day and working out for about two hours every day.

He will be entering the 123-pound division, the second lightest category.

He hopes to max out at 200 pounds in bench press and 340 pounds in dead lift.

Cruz is preparing for the competition by making sure he does not injure his body. “I am

swimming more to work out my muscles,” he said.

Cruz is confident he will do well in competition. “I know I will at least place third,” he predicted.

Because the Strength Society is not an official club at Palo Alto, they have to pay for all expenses out of their own pockets.

On Nov. 6, the weightlifters organized a plate sale of chicken, rice and beans at The Mission Trails Conjunto Express.

“I was proud of them because they planned everything on their own,” Aguilar said.

The members were fortunate because their family members donated food to the plate sale, therefore, they didn’t have expenses.

Other members, like kinesiology sophomore Luis Baerga helped by delivering more than 60 plates to family members, co-workers and friends.

Baerga said with a chuckle, he delivered plates from noon-5 p.m. and at the end of the day, he felt hungry.

Kinesiology sophomore Javier Garza helped

The Ranger

Pulse

Nov. 12, 2010 • 19

Kinesiology sophomore Adrian Frausto, who is also a junior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, helps kinesiology sophomore Anthony Rodriguez get his arm into the sleeve of a skintight bench shirt as kinesiology sophomore Luis Baerga pulls the shirt from behind. The bench shirt helps stabilize and control muscles as weights are lifted in bench pressing and prevents rotator cuff injuries. by playing music with his band, The Conjunto Babies, a little after closing time.

Garza, who plays the accordion, said, “People were impressed with the way we played.”

The society needed to raise about $3,000 for gas, food and accommodations.

They made about $1,200 in the plate sale, Cruz said.

Aguilar said, “Everything went smooth. We hit everything on target.” He explained that only a few spoonfuls of beans were left and four chickens on the grill along with a bucket of rice.

In addition to their chicken plate revenue, Aguilar’s father donated 100 T-shirts, which members sold for $15 each for a profit of about $1,500.

Now that the expenses are covered, the members can relax and concentrate on training.

Aguilar said he has been preparing the members by simulating aspects of the world championship. “I don’t want them to encounter any surprises when they get there.”

Aguilar said in the last couple of weeks, the team is focusing on maxing out, which means starting at a lightweight and adding more until the weights can’t be correctly lifted.

Aguilar stresses to the members they should never underestimate their competitors.

The Strength Society trains at 3 p.m. every day in the gym at Palo Alto College.

Aguilar invites students who need a place to work out to join them.

A valid Alamo Colleges ID is needed to use the gym.

Kinesiology freshman Eric Ximenez places boards on kinesiology sophomore Anthony Rodriguez’s chest while kinesiology sophomore Adrian Frausto spots him on the bar. The board is placed on Rodriguez’s chest as a stopper so he will know how far to pull down the 315 pound bar. The skin-hugging shirt, which acts like a spring, prevents the lifter from using gravity to pull the bar down.

20 • Nov. 12, 2010

News

The Ranger

Faculty Senate wants new librarians to remain faculty Senators call chancellor’s decision “an attack on faculty.”

By Zahra Farah Librarian Celita DeArmond asked for and received support at the Nov. 3 Faculty Senate meeting in disputing the decision of Chancellor Bruce Leslie and his executive team to not hire incoming librarians as faculty.

Faculty Senate President Dawn ElmoreMcCrary and Jeff Hunt, chair of theater and speech communication, confirmed that Leslie said at a Super Senate meeting he didn’t want to offer any new librarians the opportunity to qualify for faculty status.

If new librarians become faculty, they would have the opportunity for tenure.

By not offering faculty status to new librarians, the district plans to save money because librarians would be hired as professional staff.

DeArmond informed Faculty Senate the library sent a memorandum Oct. 25 to Leslie and this college’s administration, which said the library “informally learned from Faculty Senate the chancellor’s proposed procedure to not hire librarians as faculty.”

The librarians asked Leslie to reconsider and explained why librarians should be hired as faculty. Librarians must have a master’s degree. To be hired as professional staff would make them over-qualified and underpaid.

The memorandum states, “a master’s degree is the same requirement for all arts and science faculty and exceeds the requirements for some professional and technical education faculty.”

DeArmond and English Professor Mekonnen Haile said the district would not make an initial saving from hiring librarians as professional staff.

A librarian hired as faculty would have to stay with the college for at least 10 years for the district to see a savings because the longer a faculty member stays the more they advance on the faculty salary schedule.

Faculty also have the option of increasing their compensation by completing additional graduate coursework.

The Association of College and Research Libraries follows the Standards for Faculty Status for College and University Librarians, which states faculty members address governance, compensation, tenure, promotion and academic freedom.

DeArmond said Faculty Senate librarians

already take part in shared governance by par- attack on faculty’s academic freedom. ticipating in Academic Council, Faculty Senate, Haile said first the counselors were not conCurriculum Review and Evaluation and teachsidered faculty, now librarians. Who is next, he ing with technology. asked.

She said librarians perform teaching and English Chair Alex Bernal said the senate research because they instruct students and must approve this immediately for the sake of assist faculty by providing student-learning out- academic freedom. comes such as literacy and in-person and online Bernal said this issue requires immediate library instruction for college classes. attention and took no offense at the library Many librarians felt this was a direct assault sending it to the chancellor before Faculty on faculty and said Leslie should consider acaSenate. demic freedom.

He said he recognizes that the state is in a The memorandum said, “Academic freedom $24 billion shortfall and the college is experiis indispensable to librarians because they are encing budget cuts, but forcing librarians to trustees of knowledge with the responsibility be classified as professional staff rather than of ensuring the availability of information and faculty is not the way to save money. ideas, no matter how controversial so teachers “What’s next? Chairs will become glorified may freely teach and students may freely learn,” academic assistants?” he asked. according to the ALA, American Association of Haile said if this college does not stand University Professors, and by librarians, the sisAssociation of College and ters colleges won’t Research Libraries. because “they look up “What’s next? Chairs will Christy Woodwardto us.” become glorified academic Kaupert, Faculty Senate Bill Richardson, assistants?” vice president, said she kinesiology and dance Alex Bernal did not appreciate the chair, said stretching English Chair librarians giving senators their political capital the memorandum after it has never stopped the was sent to administration senate from making and Leslie. decisions.

Woodward-Kaupert said Faculty Senate In an interview Tuesday, DeArmond said would be politically expending their capital.

Faculty Senates from Northeast Lakeview and The chancellor had already made up his Northwest Vista colleges supported librarians at mind and for the “senate to stand in opposition their colleges. to him on this was useless,” she said.

Jack Eldridge, NLC Faculty Senate president, DeArmond said librarians believed it was confirmed that they voted Monday to support an assault on tenured faculty and wanted to their librarians. address the problem as a department. The Beth May, NVC Faculty Senate parliamenintention was to ask for a second wave of sup- tarian, confirmed they voted Nov. 5 to support port. their librarians.

She informed faculty members of a St. Palo Alto and St. Philip’s colleges’ Faculty Philip’s College librarian from South Africa who Senate have yet to meet. was hired as faculty but demoted to profesHunt said if the senate agrees to support sional staff. librarians, then they should suffer the same DeArmond said in an interview Tuesday, cuts as other departments, including a drop to the librarian traveled from South Africa to the a 50-50 adjunct-to-faculty ratio and potentially U.S. not knowing she wasn’t faculty because her reduced summer contracts. Reducing summer contract was approved as faculty. pay for faculty is among 25 cost-savings initiaDeArmond said Faculty Senate is supposed tives the district has adopted for 2010-11, but a to stand by academic freedom. specific plan has not been announced.

Haile asked if this board (Faculty Senate) DeArmond said they would be willing to sufdoesn’t advocate for these matters, then who fer the same cuts as other departments. will.

For more information, visit the Faculty He said they have no evidence this is going Senate website at http://www.alamo.edu/sac/ to save money in the long run, but it is a direct sacmain/fasenate/default.htm.

21 • Nov. 12, 2010

Editorial

The Ranger

Uncle Sam wants you to help vets

Juan Carlos Campos

Fees a con’s shell game The board of trustees needs to return to an itemized list that clearly outlines where student fees paid with tuition go.

The district has grouped the college’s general fees into one lump sum since last fall, rather than break down the fees as in the summer of 2009 tuition and fee schedule.

Up until last fall, itemized fees on bills included a general fee, registration fee, library upgrade fee, student activity fee and mandatory accident insurance.

Previously, a technology fee was rolled into a general fee.

Now the only fee separate from the general fee is the $1 per credit hour designated for the student activity fund.

When we were charged $13 in library upgrade fees, we expected $13 would go to the library to provide resources we need.

Instead, the district shaved a dollar to spend on the district’s budget deficit, citing a decrease in state funding as an excuse.

This is a shameless misuse of funds.

Students pay a general fee that starts at $122 for up to six credit hours and goes up to $127 for students enrolled in seven or more credit hours.

Correction

For students working minimum wage, this is a textbook, a month of gas or groceries, or a decent portion of rent.

In the Oct. 7 issue, The Ranger documented a lack of trust among faculty members, staff and district personnel.

Now, students can’t trust the district either.

The district needs to prioritize and use our money where there is a need.

The colleges need to prioritize spending of student funds as well. The library cuts hours and databases, the writing center, too, and student life spends $15,000 on folklórico dancers.

District undercounted the student activity fee for the past three years and dropped a bonus of $150,000 in that account.

Yes, students appreciate entertainment events on campus, but there are plenty of students who aren’t going to help the productive grade rate because there are no tutors or DSS note-takers, library databases have been reduced and free printing eliminated, not to mention cuts in library and writing center hours.

Go back to an itemized list of fees so we know where our money is going.

“VA dreams of lounge for vets,” in the Nov. 5 issue, incorrectly placed the number of veterans enrolled at Northeast Lakeview. There are 250-300 veterans registered there. The estimated number from this college and Northeast Lakeview is 2,100.

The office of veteran affairs moved in May because space in the counseling center was too small for the growing ranks of vets and active military here and at Northeast Lakeview College. The new space on the second floor of Moody is slightly bigger but without a waiting area.

Military veterans and their dependents make do with a few chairs, but these patriots deserve more.

Their sacrifices have cost some of them dearly. In our day-to-day lives, we are oblivious to their hardships in the field and at home.

Two wars create a lot of hurt, much of which can’t be bandaged. Let’s provide a lounge for these heroes to meet and mend together.

Student life funded the Chill Lounge, a project of architecture students, in Chance Academic Center for $12,358.56. A reception with an $800 mariachi troupe and buffet showed those students appreciation for their contributions.

The women’s center has grown over three decades from a temporary building to the Empowerment Center, also housing Seguir Adelante and Mi CASA for nontraditional students.

Thanks to the veterans office, San Antonio College made the 2011 Military Friendly Schools List in GI Jobs magazine for efforts to welcome military veterans and enhance their experience as students.

Friendly is Texas’ heritage. We can do better.

Editorial

22 • Nov. 12, 2010

The Ranger

Devoted service deserving of campus memorial Staff Council was planning an on-campus memorial to the late Gil Castillo, who advocated for establishing Staff Council as a voice for nonfaculty employees, but the council acquiesced to President Robert Zeigler’s suggestion to create a memorial garden space in honor of all staff, faculty and students.

In an online comment to the Nov. 5 story, Castillo’s former wife Cathy McAuliffe-Dickerson wrote: “Gil was always thinking about others, especially staff and students, so I think he would agree that a memorial for all those staff members who made contributions would make more sense than having a memorial in his name only. He also had great respect for Dr. Zeigler, so I think he’d probably say, ‘It’s your call, sir.’”

No doubt, this is true.

After a fire in Moody Learning Center in September 2008, Castillo, then assistant director of student life,

Letters to the Editor

Financial aid failures

didn’t hesitate after midnight to ask staff members who had been turned out of the building without their belongings to return to campus before 7 a.m. the next morning. He wanted them to help direct students to relocated classes or, for those whose classes were canceled, to Loftin Student Center where student life would provide coffee and fountain drinks.

Students, their success and morale were his constant motivation, but he wasn’t a pushover. In spring 2004, Castillo came upon students writing and drawing in chalk what he felt was graffiti on the pavement. He asked if they had permission and about cleaning up. Their disregard for the cleanup added to his irritation that they had not asked permission. “If they had permission, they could have painted the yellow brick road for all I care,” Castillo told The Ranger at the time.

While he demanded respect for the rules, he also stood up for what he

not keep returning.

Kristen Stone Music Education

Editor:

Mixed signals

As much as I have loved San Antonio College, I may decide to never attend here again.

For two semesters, I have filled out my FAFSA way before it’s due and not received my aid until after the semester was over, forcing me to pay in full for my classes. Then I struggle the whole way through without money to buy books or supplies.

I tried to get into the work-study program, but if I call, I never get helped, and if I use PeopleLink to apply for jobs, I never get a reply.

This semester, I, once again, have not gotten aid, although everything was done and reviewed months ago.

My work-study aid, although accepted, was canceled for reasons unknown. I wasn’t even warned.

If I can’t get the aid I need because of the school’s negligence, then I can-

Editor: Many people have very strong antiillegal immigration views and tend to (wrongly) blame those who choose to come to this country in search of a better life. The blame should be placed on the mixed signals being sent to immigrants.

We spend billions to build a wall and increase border patrols, but give food and water to those attempting to cross.

We allow unregistered children admission in our schools and grant parents sanctuary when their children are birthright citizens, then threaten deportation.

Many cities have become sanctuaries, while others conduct racial profiling, often on legal U.S. citizens.

It is no wonder then that people

believed and encouraged students and employees to do so also.

That incident inspired The Ranger to present Chalk Day each year in celebration of First Amendment rights.

While he was adviser to Student Government, officers discovered that students here received less aid than students at area universities. He helped them to change that. Another Student Government group thought the college should provide shuttles to off-campus lots, so he worked with them to get two buses into operation.

Under his tutelage, students learned about public service and leadership.

As lab hours are cut, tutors let go, databases lost, costs like printing are pushed onto students and decisions are settled based on the bottom line, we should honor the memory of someone so selfless in working for our students and employees.

So we, too, respectfully say, ‘It’s your call, sir.’

cross our borders by the hundreds of thousands every year; for most, the benefits outweigh the risks.

Perhaps our immigrant roots keep Americans from making a concrete stand. In any case, immigrants should not be admonished for our own indecisiveness.

Maybe it’s time we stop straddling the fence.

Bobbi ReyesDeJesus-Harris Liberal Arts Freshman

ACES anything but Editor: My ACES e-mail is nothing but a glorified junk board, very rarely containing any information that I actually need or use.

I might have a ratio of perhaps one e-mail actually pertinent to my interests, as compared to 400 e-mails that I am not interested in or that don’t pertain to me.

Exactly how/why do I keep receiving these “junk” e-mails?

I believe there should be some way to opt out of receiving information that a student has no use for, especially when it pertains to religious or religiously affiliated organizations, as I don’t feel my college e-mail account should be bombarded with religious propaganda in any shape or form.

Checking this e-mail account that is supposed to contain such important information on schoolrelated issues has become so tedious and time-consuming, that I don’t even bother to check it except once every week or two – heaven forbid there actually be anything important sent, It would be nice to be able to use my personal e-mail for personal use, instead of using it for school purposes because the e-mail account I have been given by the college for school use is completely ineffective.

Cacy Minter Computer Programming Sophomore

The Ranger

Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu District 1: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive, San Antonio, TX 78228 Cell: 863-9500 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251 E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way, Helotes, TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 755 E. Mulberry, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78212 Work: 244-8879 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu

Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu

The Ranger Editor Laura Garcia

Managing Editor Zahra Farah Calendar Editor Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photographers Tyler K. Cleveland, Rennie Murrell, Julysa Sosa, Alison Wadley Photo Team Noel Bracy, Dave Crockett, D.L. Gonzalez, James Lazo, Henriette Mutegwaraba, Nicole Jacinta Gaskin-Paulsen, Pam Ramsey, Jenny Robles, Carmen Sanjuan Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa, Fred V.M. Nockroes III Staff Writers J. Almendarez, Jacob Beltran, Kristina Coble, Joshua Fechter, Roxanna Flores, J. Hernandez, Rachel McKee, Stefania Malacrida, Megan Mares, Aaron Nielsen, Creshawna T. Parker, Daniel Perales, Abiel Rodriguez, Riley Stephens Production Manager Melody Mendoza Production Assistants Krystal Barcenez, Jason B. Hogan Web Administrator D.A. James ©2010 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org.

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

Nov. 12, 2010 • 23 Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words.

Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

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

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

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

Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu or faxed to 210-486-1789.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number.

For more information, call 210-486-1773.

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

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

Newspaper theft is a crime.

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

24 • Nov. 12, 2010

People

The Ranger

Theater sophomore John Belcher, who plays The Old Man possessed by the soul of Deramo, is distraught at his aged body during the dress rehearsal Tuesday for “The King Stag.” The production directed by Ronald L. Watson will be at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. today and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday in McAllister.

Jenny Robles

American Sign Language sophomore Karen Simmons sings “All I Can Do Is Cry” by Etta James during SAC’s Got Talent Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Simmons won first place in the talent show. Four prizes were awarded, and each winner received an iPod Nano. Alison Wadley Above: Education sophomore Amanda Robles laughs Wednesday while receiving information about the women’s softball team from criminal justice sophomore Andrea Bonilla (left), head coach Jessica Palma and nursing sophomores Nichole Perez and Abigail Duarte in the mall. The team needs four more players. Students with at least nine credit hours and a 2.0 GPA may contact Palma by e-mail at palma0014@yahoo.com. Tyler K. Cleveland Right: Foreman Rita Montes, and utility technicians Eric Boenker and Rudy Aguirre watch Wednesday as water spills out of a backhoe while repairing a broken water line at West Evergreen and Howard. Montes said it would only take one hour to repair the line but it could take days before the street reopens. Tyler K. Cleveland