The Ranger 9-13-2013

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Volume 88 Issue 1 • Sept. 13, 2013

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

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Heads up SLAC cuts 21 jobs; but students fill lab Students are already taking advantage of the student learning assistance center, or SLAC lab.

Coordinator Geraldo “Jerry” Guerra said the lab is almost at capacity 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. With staff cut from about 37 to 16 people, they do their best to accommodate students.

Guerra described the remodeled lab, which opened after spring break in March, as “more open and functional.”

The new area houses about 68 computers and offers laptop tables with outlets. All services are free to students except printing, which is 10 cents per page for black and white and 50 cents for color.

Seven tutors are available to assist in college-level English, Spanish and speech. Students can set appointments at the front desk or by phone.

Students need a Banner ID and course number to be matched with a tutor.

Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m MondayThursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday in Room 707 of Moody Learning Center.

For more information, call 210486-0165 or visit www.alamo.edu/ sac/slac/. See full story online.

Henry M. Hernandez Jr.

Labs in Oppenheimer, McCreless add up Students struggling with math can get help in three labs on campus. Two are in McCreless Hall with the math department, and a third is in Oppenheimer Academic Center.

McCreless was closed for the summer because of flooding, so Room 218 of Oppenheimer became a lab. Chair Said Fariabi said this computer lab will stay open this fall despite its distance from the department. Tutoring is available on a walk-in basis 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MondayThursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday.

Room 121 of McCreless Hall is for students in developmental math courses from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. MondayThursday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday.

Room 124 is open for college-level students 9 a.m.–5 p.m. MondayThursday and 9 a.m.–noon Friday.

Music freshman Christopher Eguia said most instructors don’t go over problems step by step, and it’s good to know there are tutors willing to stop and explain each step.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t be using the labs if it weren’t required for my math course, but I do believe the labs provide a reliable service for all students, and I would highly recommend then to anyone with a problem in math,” Eguia said.

For more information, call 210486-0240.

Christopher A. Hernandez

Nursing freshman Kori Hilla waits between classes on the new sofas on the second floor of Moody. This area also includes the new Café Moody with Starbucks coffee and snacks. See Moody, Page 5 for story Monica Lamadrid

Another meeting, another fee for students Committee mulls $1 charge if students vote.

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

The Audit, Budget and Finance Committee voted to recommend assessing a $1 international education fee during the standing committee meeting Tuesday in Killen Center.

But they added a caveat to the recommendation they are passing along to the full board: trustees could only favor implementing the fee if students at each of the five colleges vote for it.

According to the minute order, the fee would provide financial assistance to students interested in international study abroad programs.

The minute order reads, “A new funding initiative will provide all Alamo Colleges students with greater access to financial assistance for studying outside the United States and increasing students’ opportunity to enhance their pathway to success through international exchange.”

The $1 fee would be assessed to all

students each semester, and the fee a small percentage would benefit would be implemented in the spring. from it,” he said.

“A student cannot buy a ticket for District 7 trustee Yvonne Katz study abroad for $1,” Chancellor Bruce voted for approval of the minute Leslie said. “So this is order but added an very affordable to spread amendment that a See editorial across all of our students majority of Alamo ‘Fee equals for the advantage of Colleges’ students must tuition hike’ those who can and want vote in favor of the fee. to take advantage.”

“We would like to parPage 12 District 2 trustee ticipate in this program, Denver McClendon saw but we would like to see it differently. student approval on it,” Katz said.

“This is putting an additional No plan on how voting would See FEE, Page 6 burden on all of our students where

!

Writing center says hello to busy semester Director says budget cuts reduced work-study tutors from 12 to two.

By T.L. Hupfer

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Compared to recent years, the writing center is off to a quick start. With all six tutors booked only a week into the fall semester, Coordinator Melina Benavidez and Director Jane Focht-Hansen could not be any prouder.

But the loss of most of her tutors means not everyone will be served.

Tutors help students understand assignments, organize papers and identify grammar errors.

They help with creating a thesis and documenting sources, but many students do not know that the writing center can be used for general lab access. Focht-Hansen said the center has a digital workroom where students can create videos and PowerPoint presentations while also being a place to study.

“If a student needs help practicing a speech, the tutors are always eager to take a seat and be an audience,” she said.

The center is facing budget cuts, which could affect

Tobin Lofts open to students

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

the number of tutors and the hours of operation. So the staff is finding less expensive ways to help students.

They have already cut the number of work-study tutors from 12 to two, but they were able to add one staff tutor.

Work-study tutors go through federal guidelines and are paid minimum wage. Staff tutors are paid higher

Tobin Lofts, this college’s first on-campus housing, opened its doors to the first student residents Aug. 23-25.

In the first scheduled movein, 164 students took to the halls to find their new pads.

Of those students, 72 were from this college.

Of the 467 beds available, about 248 have been leased.

Kinesiology sophomore Daniel Coronado, who moved in Aug. 24, said the move-in was easy and stress-free.

Neither the construction or

See WRITING, Page 6

See TOBIN, Page 7

Writing center Director Jane Focht-Hansen reviews an assignment for freshman composition for biochemistry freshman Victoria King-Schulze. Kirsten Simpson

2 • Sept. 13, 2013

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News New director of student life seeks positive changes www.theranger.org/news

Former English instructor seeks suggestions from students for activities; closes Bailey’s Cyber Café.

Activity fee committee funds two clubs

Katherine Garcia

Another change is the Bailey’s Cyber Café removal from the secRichard Farias, director of stuond floor of Loftin Student Center. dent life, isn’t afraid of change.

The café had 13 Mac computers The 1996 graduate of Health for students to use for recreational Careers High School originally purposes. wanted to be a physical therapist, “It’s kind of a redundancy to but he pursued his passion for have the lab here,” Farias said.

English instead.

After talking to Usha Venkat, He earned a bachelor’s degree director of technical services, he in English and psychology from agreed it was better to remove the the University of the lab rather than replacIncarnate Word in 2000. ing the 5-year-old comHe then got a masputers, which would ter’s in English from the cost $25,000.

University of Texas at Farias said the office San Antonio in 2003. of technical services He’s taught English wanted to keep the classes at this college computer labs grouped since 2005 and still on the second, fifth and teaches British literature seventh floors of Moody courses as an adjunct.

Richard Farias Learning Center because He made a major that is a central location. career change when he started the Counters lining the walls of job of student life director May 16 Room 258 are being used by stuafter being selected from a pool of dents who bring their own laptops, 12 applicants. but Farias isn’t sure if he wants to “I love teaching, but I really keep the counters. wanted to challenge myself and do He does want to “give students something different,” he said. some opportunities to relax in that Giving up his faculty status area.” wasn’t hard.

Farias is continuing many of “For me, it really wasn’t difficult the traditional activities the office to change roles,” Farias said. of student life has done in the past.

And in the five months he has For example, Hispanic Heritage been in the position, he is making Month starts Sept. 16, a bus trip changes in the office. to participate in an annual beach Farias plans to have orientation cleanup in Padre Island is Sept. 28 every semester for freshmen. and a series of Friday night movie “It’s so important that there’s screenings began Sept. 6. a proper welcoming mechanism,” “I let the staff keep planning,” he said.

Farias said. “They know what He wants the office of student they’re doing.” life to promote academics, for Farias said he will act as an which he is also taking suggestions. observer to see what students want The Beta Nu chapter of Phi out of the office of student life.

Theta Kappa will help by havAny student who has suggesing second-year students mentions for events or improvements tor incoming students. The promay make an appointment. gram will be designed this fall and “I’ve been at SAC for several implemented in the spring. years, but this is a whole different “The goal is for students to role,” Farias said. succeed and transfer,” he said.

Farias was the adviser for Gay kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

There is no easy way to be successful in college, but good time management is at the core of success, student development Professor Suzanna Borawski said.

Borawski finds that many students do not devote enough time to their studies.

The shift to being an independent learner presents a challenge for most students, she said.

Students only spend a few hours a week in each class and professors expect a bulk of the course work to be done on their own time.

“You have to give yourself the time to do quality work and turn in work that you’re proud of,” she said.

Writing everything down can have the largest impact on a student’s time management skills.

Students need to keep a written

The Student Activity Fee Committee approved requests from two organizations at its first meeting Sept. 5.

The Society of MexicanAmerican Engineers and Scientists requested $1,400 to attend the 2013 MAES symposium Sept. 25-28 in Houston.

The committee awarded $3,285.

Mortuary science fraternity Ro Sigma Gamma requested $800 to transport 40 students to a one-day trip to the National Funeral Directors Association Convention Oct. 22 in Austin.

Because Rho Sigma Gamma contributed most of the funds, the committee awarded $920.

The student activity fee budget of $400,000 is based on a $1 student activity fee for each semester hour of enrollment the previous year.

Applications, found at https://orgsync.com/25432/ files/153754, are due two weeks before the meeting Oct. 3. For more information, call 210486-0373.

See story online for details.

Allied Lesbian Association for the past five years. He was also the chairperson for Hispanic Heritage Week 2008-09 and Coming Out Week 2010-13. He serves as the board chair of the Pride Center of San Antonio, a nonprofit resource center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

He had worked with student life through these clubs, he said.

“It seemed like a natural transition,” he said in deciding whether to apply.

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

schedule, Borawski said. “You have got to write it down. You can’t just have those things floating around your head.”

A new environment offers benefits, too.

“It is easier to break a habit if you’re in a new environment,” she said. “Back in high school if you had the habit of procrastinating, now is a prime opportunity to change that habit.”

She said students should set-up an award system to treat themselves once they accomplish goals.

If a student does everything on a to-do list, they should reward themselves.

Time management is an important ingredient to success.

“If students get a handle on time management and getting their work done they’re going to succeed no doubt about it,” Borawski said.

Andrew Hubbard, business administration freshman and SGA president, listens to students Monday during the SGA meeting. Monica Lamadrid

SGA searches for solutions

By Terra Hupfer

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Andrew Hubbard, elected in May, led his first Student Government Association meeting as president with 27 students in attendance Monday in the craft room of Loftin Student Center.

“We are all equal members because we are all students,” he said to open the meeting. “The fact that we are all enrolled in this school means that we have a voice. It means that we have an opinion.”

Parking was one of three major issues discussed, although there were more questions than answers.

“Parking is not a new issue; it has been an issue for decades,” Hubbard said leading into a heated discussion about the parking lots, parking garage, parking permit fees and Tobin Lofts housing.

Students now pay $25 for a parking permit or a VIA bus pass, totaling $50 per year.

What the SGA wanted to figure out is where students are supposed to park and what can be done about the shortage of parking spaces.

A question raised by a number of the SGA members was why students have lost two floors of parking in the main garage.

Another question SGA is working on getting answered is how a new $1 charge in the garage is going to be done.

SGA expects to have these answers at the next SGA meeting.

Hubbard said a major question he

asked students during Welcome Back Week was, “Do you know who your adviser is?”

He said 123 students said yes to knowing who their advisers were while 137 were unsure.

“Those aren’t good numbers because as all of us know, advisers are key into getting us connected and succeeding in college,” Hubbard said before asking for solutions.

One of the major suggestions discussed was having a list with students’ assigned advisers on ACES. Nursing sophomore Edric Filpo suggested having a hold placed on student accounts before they can register for courses. The hold would be removed after an advising session.

SGA members said this type of solution could help reduce the amount of time and confusion a student spends taking unnecessary courses.

Hubbard also covered what was happening on campus by letting the SGA know that Phi Theta Kappa is creating a program called Today’s Freshman, Tomorrow’s Graduate.

He explained this as a group of students past their first year who are willing to help incoming freshman or transfer students transition into college and learn about this college.

Phi Theta Kappa will have a matching system to help decide who will be pairings.

SGA meets at noon on Mondays in the craft room of Loftin and meetings are open to the public.

Clean teeth on sale

living

study

Managing time leads to success for students

Sept. 13, 2013 • 3

Services are reduced or free for eligible lowincome or homeless.

Paula Christine Schuler

pschuler1@student.alamo.edu

Students do not need to wait until they graduate and find that great job to keep their teeth in great shape.

Dental schools, nonprofit organizations and government programs offer clinics for low-income and homeless individuals.

Clinics operate with a wide variety of eligibility criteria.

Some provide basic services and do not accept patients with Medicaid, Medicare or insurance. Other clinics accept all types of patients but offer sliding fees based on household income and size.

Potential patients may need to provide identification and proof of income and residency. Some ask for proof of financial aid in the form of

an award letter or notification.

La Mision Family Health Care offers basic care for all ages. Discounts can be as much as 75 percent off depending on eligibility, dental assistant Lucy Morales said. This clinic is open 9 a.m.-p.m. Monday through Friday with no appointment necessary, she said. Call 210-626-0600.

CentroMed is a nonprofit offering low-cost dental services at four area clinics. No appointment is needed for the screening interview.

Dental services on a sliding fee are available at clinics at 5542 Walzem Road, 910 Wagner Ave. and 7315 S. Loop 1604 W. Call 210-637-2450 for information.

San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic Inc., 1 Haven for Hope Way, offers free services.

Receptionist Selena Sanchez said if applicants cannot provide proof of residence with a lease or property tax document, then they can obtain a

letter from the person offering them temporary housing or discuss a homeless situation.

The clinic is staffed by volunteers who offer one emergency dental visit for individuals who do not qualify for free services. Call 210-220-2300 to schedule an eligibility appointment.

Wesley Health and Wellness Dental Center offers services for all ages on a sliding fee scale. They serve individuals who do not have Medicaid, Medicare or insurance.

Dental receptionist Beatrice Martinez said the clinic has a freeze on new patient enrollments.

“We are telling people to keep checking day to day,” she said.

Call 210-922-6922 and visit when the freeze is lifted, she said.

The Affordable Health Care Act, scheduled to begin in 2014, mandates dental coverage only for children.

4 • Sept. 13, 2013

People

Mortuary science graduate Robert Chalk on bagpipes, Cpl. Christopher Hernandez and the honor guard of the district police department lead students and faculty in the Remembering 9/11 march Wednesday from

www.theranger.org/people

Candler to Chance. The procession stopped for a moment of silence at the 9/11 memorial commemorating the terrorist attacks of 2001. Casey Alcala

Above: Nutrition sophomore Crystal Castro poses with the Spurs Coyote for a picture taken by Melerie De Leon, marketing intern for the Spurs, during a visit Aug. 28 in the mall.

The marketing team came to promote the new-Spurs U brand that sells $5 tickets to college students. Monica Lamadrid Right: Fine arts sophomore Audrie Abdallah, music business sophomore James “Tank” Lowe and early childhood sophomore Elizabeth Lowe pose during a costume contest before the Superman movie “Man of Steel” Sept. 6 in the mall. Tonight’s film is “Monsters University” at 7:30 p.m. in the mall. Monica Lamadrid

The Juice Monkeys defense blocks kinesiology freshman Amber Baker-Hall’s attempt to score during the second half of the women’s soccer game Sunday at the Star Complex. The Juice Monkeys triumphed 1-0 over this college’s women’s soccer team. The team faces the University of Texas at Austin women’s soccer club 11 a.m. Sunday at Whitaker Field, 4612 Ave. D in Austin. Daniel Arguelles

Visual arts Professor Rebecca Dietz shows her photography works “Wonder Worlds” at the Ursuline Hall Gallery of the Southwest School of Art during a Fotoseptiembre USA exhibit Sept. 5. The exhibit of black-and-white photos of historic East Coast carnivals runs through Nov. 8. Go online to read this story. A free nostalgic carnival event celebrating her work will feature midway performances, palm readers and food vendors will at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday at the school, 300 Augusta St. Robbin Cresswell

News

www.theranger.org/news

Sept. 13, 2013 • 5

Moody renovation improves library, labs

By Michael Peters

mpeters28@student. alamo.edu

Moody Learning Center, built in 1968, has gone through dramatic changes over the last several years.

The fifth and the third floors began renovations in 2009, and the other five floors began renovations in January 2012.

Capital improvement funds of $18 million went to general renovation while the college budget paid for furniture and computers for the building.

“The escalators took a big chunk of that,” David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said. “They were breaking daily.”

Replacing the escalators cost more than $2 million.

On the fifth floor, all of the walls were cleared out and modular walls were installed.

Vinyl composition tile was replaced with polished concrete. Although polished concrete is more labor-intensive to polish, it is easier to clean than the VCT tile, he said.

Originally, the polished concrete was going to be only for the fifth floor, but it ended up being brought to the first, sixth and seventh floors.

The first floor renovations were similar to the fifth floor as basically the entire floor was cleared and built anew.

The sixth floor underwent smaller modifications.

“Some of the walls and classrooms remained,” Mrizek said. “We painted and made slight changes to make it look good.”

The SLAC lab was temporarily moved to the fifth floor while the seventh floor was completely remodeled.

Old satellite dishes on the roof were

replaced with new ones. The electrical system was replaced, and new heating and air conditioning was installed throughout the building.

Old windows were replaced with new glass, which shields the inside from UV rays.

Windows excluded, the outside of the building needs to be renovated, he said.

“Possibly this fiscal year with district dollars from preventive maintenance,” Mrizek said.

The building needs to be power-washed, and panels need to be put over the off-color brick above and below the windows.

The porch railing also needs to be painted.

The third floor underwent drastic changes.

“This was quite a project,” Mrizek said. “It looks great and so many of the staff are pleased with how it came out.”

Librarian Tom Bahlinger said it was time for a change to the layout and is pleased with the new layout.

The reference and reserve sections of the library used to be on different floors but now share the third floor, which is much more convenient for students.

Under the previous layout, the reference section of the library was next to the escalators.

Bahlinger said the escalator noise was a constant disturbance.

Double doors shield the reference library from outside noise in the new layout.

“It’s nice and quiet like a library should be,” Bahlinger said.

The library needed more space for books, students and study rooms.

Librarian Celita DeArmond said the space was “reclaimed for students.”

“There’s more area for quiet study and collaborative study; lots of students do online

Nursing freshmen Enhjeong and Mike Wildman walk out of the new Café Moody on the second floor of Moody.

Monica Lamadrid coursework here,” DeArmond said.

The fourth floor, which will feature additional study rooms, is not yet open because of staffing issues.

“The student workers have not been approved yet,” Bahlinger said.

He hopes they will be approved within the next few weeks.

Across from the reference section of the library is the reserve section where students can check out textbooks for two hours.

“The reserve area is a nice quiet zone,” DeArmond said.

In between the reference and reserve sections of the library are couches, tables and seats.

“It’s a cool area to hang out, but when I want to study I go to the library,” communication design freshman Frances Montamat said.

Café Moody, near the east entrance to Moody, offers Starbucks coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, water, chips, cookies and muffins.

“The seats are positioned nicely and kind of away from other people so you can do homework in quiet,” business sophomore Franc Castro said.

Major projects in the works include renovations to the first and second floors of Fletcher Administration Center and the renovation of the Bennett House.

EcoCentro promotes urban sustainability Center offers courses and workshops in sustainability.

By Patricia McGlamory

pmcglamory@student.alamo.edu

EcoCentro is a sustainable lifestyle student training center and community outreach center temporarily located in the service, trade and industry center.

The center’s primary focus is preparing people to get job skills, Steven Lewis, director of the service, trade and industry center, said Sept. 6.

A permanent EcoCentro location is under construction across the street at 1802 N. Main Ave. and is expected to open in December.

The department office will continue to be in the temporary location.

Free Saturday workshops have been temporarily postponed until the new building is completed.

Sustainability is energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and composting, Lewis said.

Training aids and equipment will include a Lab-Volt solar thermal trainer, a solar water heater; and a photovoltaic trainer, solar and wind electricity used for lights and electricity “that you can plug into,” Lewis said.

There will be a spray foam insulation unit used as training equipment, he said.

Other training equipment will include a blower door and duct blaster used to measure the energy efficiency of a house or building.

The blower door and duct blaster check for leaks around windows and doors and in ducts, Lewis said.

The new building will have two main areas serving multiple functions.

The classroom area will provide space for related courses and workshops.

The display and demonstration area can be used as a venue for events, such as energy and conservation, water conservation, and green building.

“On a modest scale, we can serve as a small, exhibit-type facility,” Lewis said.

An outdoor area behind the building will be used for outdoor exhibits and demonstrations.

EcoCentro will have 135 solar panels to supply most of the building’s electricity.

There will be two electric vehicle charging stations, estimated to be installed the second week of December.

A water catchment demonstration system will consist of three tanks.

The center will also have a complete garden facility with a gate between the EcoCentro lot on North Main Avenue and the garden lot at 811 Ogden St. The garden facility will be a combination of a demonstration garden and community garden.

For the demonstration part of the garden project, the idea is to have students involved, primarily in the science, technology, engineering and math areas, Lewis said.

“But it could be any students that want to get involved in projects related to plants or gardening or urban agriculture,” he said.

Composting demonstrations are estimated to begin in January.

Plant care demonstrations in a limited area of the garden can begin in March, with serious gardening demonstrations starting next fall,

EcoCentro, new eco-friendly building designed to benefit student and community, is under construction Sept. 6 at the northeast corner of Locust and Main. Celeste Christy Lewis wrote in an email Sept. 11.

Details for reserving community garden plots have not been finalized, Lewis wrote in the email.

Community residents can have raised garden plots at no cost to the residents, Lewis said.

“A community garden concept is really where the community takes responsibility, and they don’t pay anything for it,” Lewis said.

“But they have certain responsibilities for keeping it up, too,” Lewis said.

There also will be a B-cycle station of the public bike system.

B-cycle stations are racks where people can swipe a credit or debit card and ride to the next B-cycle station, Lewis said.

B-cycle memberships can be purchased online at www.sanantonio. bcycle.com.

The infrastructure for the B-cycle stations should be in by mid-December, with the actual rack and bicycles estimated to be in place in the first quarter of 2014.

There will be a mural on the exterior wall facing North Main Avenue.

The suggestion came for putting a mural across the whole west wall of the building.

“I think the initial idea kind of originated by Tobin Hill residents,” Lewis said.

He said the mural was not on the original plans, but when it was proposed, everybody really seemed to like it.

The whole idea of the mural is that it starts from the earliest days of San Pedro Springs which was an indigenous gathering point, and takes it all the way up to the pres-

ent, “with certain historical points of significance,” in this immediate part of San Antonio over the last several hundred years, Lewis said.

The last image on the mural is an ecological symbol, which shows EcoCentro as kind of the final image.

It will show where the facility has come from, linking the earliest days up to the current building, he said.

EcoCentro is “emerging as San Antonio’s primary hub of community outreach for what we call sustainability,” Lewis said.

For more information, visit Facebook at EcoCentro1, email Steven Lewis at slewis71@alamo.edu, or call 210-486-0417.

For registration information, visit alamo.edu/sac and click on Continuing Education, or call 210486-0422.

News

6 • Sept. 13, 2013 FEE from Page 1 take place was discussed.

The Legislature approved allowing higher education institutions to assess a $1-$4 fee to support study-abroad programs.

“The Legislature set this up as a means to expand student experiences abroad,” Leslie said.

The fee does not need student approval unless the fee exceeds $1.

Students should be allowed to vote on this fee, McClendon said.

“If we allow them to vote even at $1, it will be their decision instead of us forcing this down their throats,” he said.

Texas Tech University and Texas State University already have a $4 fee for international study-abroad programs.

The University of Texas at San Antonio charges students $2.

Students here would be awarded up to $1,000.

“We believe with the $1 fee, this scholarship will be enough to provide at least a $1,000 scholarship to students who apply for the study-abroad program,” Carol Fimmen, director of international programs, said.

The cost to study abroad varies, but Fimmen said the average cost per person to travel is $3,000-$3,500 for five weeks.

More than 100 students in Alamo Colleges apply to study abroad, but only about 60 get to participate, Fimmen said. The other 40 students, she said are unable to travel abroad because of lack of financial resources.

“We do have a number of students that can’t afford it,” Leslie said. “With this scholarship, this will allow expansion of the numbers of those who can take advantage of it.”

McClendon countered, “You’ve got students that are being assessed who have no interest in doing it.”

“We assess student activity fees to all students and yet very few students actually take full advantage of it,” Leslie said.

If the fee passes, a special committee will be formed to handle scholarship applications.

To be accepted to the studyabroad programs, students must have at least 12 cumulative credit hours from Alamo Colleges, have

WRITING from Page 1 wages because they are attending universities and have more responsibilities, Erik Treviño, one of the staff tutors, said Tuesday.

Operating hours were available Monday through Saturday in recent semesters, but this fall the center is open Monday through Friday.

Treviño said they have already seen a 10 percent decrease in their budget.

This decrease has resulted in the center eliminating online tutoring.

Focht-Hansen said with the lack of tutors,

www.theranger.org/news

Peerless Peer Educators still serve students

By Cory D. Hill

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Trustee Denver McClendon questions a $1 per semester fee. Daniel Arguelles at least a 2.0 GPA, be in good academic standing and submit two letters of recommendation.

Upon completion, students using the international fee might be required to create an ePortfolio, create a presentation for the annual convocation and promote at least two other international activities within the college, Fimmen said.

“The retention rate and the success rate of students who study abroad or are engaged in international activities is much higher than students that do not,” Fimmen said.

The fee is estimated to accu-

online tutoring is impossible as well as the chance of just walking in and having a tutor available.

“We are having to turn people away,” she said.

If students are interested in trying to make a difference, they can always write to the state senators and representatives with their opinions on budget cuts. She also mentioned students should address the Alamo Colleges board of trustees to voice their opinion about the impact of the budget cuts.

However, the budget cuts aren’t tampering

mulate $150,000 a year, and 100 percent of funds would go to students studying abroad.

Alamo Colleges offer studyabroad programs in China, Japan, Spain, Peru, Brazil, London, France, Australia, Wales and Canada.

Study abroad programs are Alamo College classes that travel with a professor out of the country to study specific skills such as language or architecture.

The board of trustees will vote on the $1 international education fee during its regular meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

with the excitement of the new semester.

The tutors love helping students and enjoy watching students’ faces when something finally clicks, Focht-Hansen said.

“We love seeing the light bulbs go off,” Focht-Hansen said with Benavidez in agreement, “Yeah, that’s really fun.”

Students can make appointments with the center by walking in and setting one up or by calling 210-486-1433.

Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. The center is Room 203 of Gonzales Hall.

Peer Educators are a group commonly known as “the rubber people” for their distribution of contraceptives.

Usually composed of counselors and current students, Peer Educators counsel and give information to students about sex education, substance abuse and depression.

In the spring, five students were Peer Educators, but so far this semester, there are no students filling that role.

Counselor Patricia Sanchez and Delia De Luna, student services assistant, who work for the offices of disability support services, are providing those services.

“We are always here to help students anyway we can,” Sanchez said.

Whenever activities are held in the mall area, she said the group will likely “piggy back” on them and set up a station.

In past semesters, Peer Educators also had programs such as “Don’t Cancel the Class,” where qualified members filled in for professors who could not make it into class.

“Even if you just need someone to vent to, we will not turn any student away,” De Luna said.

Possible volunteering for the group is still being worked out. With no former peers available, volunteer training and management would fall directly on counselors like Sanchez and De Luna.

Office hours are from 8 a.m-5 p.m Monday through Friday in Room 145 of Moody Learning Center.

Walk-ins are generally accepted, but students are strongly encouraged to make appointments.

For more information, call the Peer Educators office at 210-486-1448.

News

www.theranger.org/news TOBIN from Page 1 street parking affected his move.

Coronado was a little disappointed that the pool and workout room were not open during his first week in the lofts, but he was pleased with his new home.

“It’s real cool and everything is real nice,” he said.

The pool and the workout room opened Friday for Labor Day weekend.

The second move-in occurred Thursday-Sunday, and more than 80 students moved in.

Laura Lopez, public relations and marketing director for Aguillon and Associates, said that during her walkthrough on Aug. 30, she saw students playing in the pool and some apartments already had welcome mats out.

The pool is in the center of the apartment complex and resembles a resort pool.

Surrounded by palm trees, the deepest part of the pool is 3-feet-6.

Other amenities include a game room with foosball, media room with computers and quiet study rooms.

Aguillon and Associates manages local public relations and marketing for Tobin Lofts. Campus Advantage manages the property and specializes in student housing.

According to campusadv.com, more than 100,000 residents have lived in a Campus Advantage managed property.

As part of the leasing agreement, students must follow the code of conduct outlined in the lease signed with Tobin Lofts.

This college will work with Tobin Lofts to address any major problems with SAC students, Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student and aca-

demic success, said. “The college will play a role in ensuring student safety.”

Most incidents that breach Tobin Lofts code of conduct will be handled

by Tobin Lofts, but in the case of major incidents, the college would get involved.

“We are in agreement that when those things do come up, they will contact us and we will work together to determine the best course of outcome,” Vela said. “It would have to be something real bad, or if there was a pattern where the students’ safety was in jeopardy, for us to intervene.

“We have an obligation to make sure our colleges are safe,” he said.

Vela said the college will handle any incidents case by case, but the college is not looking to evict students or police what students do in private.

“It is hard to say what if because until we are in a specific situation that would require us to collaborate.

It is difficult to say what that may be,” Vela said.

“All we are trying to do is intervene and stop the behavior so that the student can be successful,” he continued. “The last thing we want is to have students evicted.”

Students must be actively enrolled in a college or university to maintain residency in Tobin Lofts.

Leases last 12 months and are for students and faculty members only.

Tobin Lofts requires proof of registration at the beginning of each semester.

Some floor plans in Tobin Lofts have already sold out. The efficiency, one bedroom San Pedro, two bedroom Howard and four bedroom Dewey are all taken. The two bed-

Sept. 13, 2013 • 7

Contractors test the deck jets installed alongside the swimming pool Aug. 26 at Tobin Lofts. The pool opened Labor Day weekend and residents began moving in Aug. 23. Daniel Arguelles room Ashby, four bedroom Lewis and four bedroom Evergreen are the only three floor plans that remain.

Rooms were named after the streets that surround this college.

The first two levels in the parking garage east of Chance Academic Center are reserved for Tobin Lofts’ residents, and cost $200 per year.

As reported in The Ranger on April 5, residents of Tobin Lofts will have reserved parking in the current parking garage until the completion of a second garage at West Park and North Main in March.

Tobin Lofts is a public/private partnership between this college and NPR Group/Balfour Beatty Capital.

Contractors finish the exterior walls and pool area of Tobin Lofts at West Evergreen and North Main Aug. 26. Daniel Arguelles

8 • www.theranger.org/news

“Friday the 13th” killer choice for Friday the 13th

By Carlos Ferrand cferrand@alamo.edu

It is Friday the 13th, and if you’re looking for a few good scares, why not consider watching the classic movie?

“Friday the 13th” is about a sleepy summer camp on Crystal Lake that has all the ingredients of a perfect daydream.

The dream quickly turns into a nightmare when a killer begins stalking the counselors seeking revenge for an incident that occurred years before.

“Friday the 13th” became an instant hit after its release May 9, 1980, and joined such movies as “Halloween” in the American slasher genre.

The “Friday the 13th” franchise consists of 12 movies spanning 29 years and has grossed $380 million in the U.S. The first five movies in the “Friday the 13th” franchise all opened at No. 1. Of the 12 films, four were released on a Friday the 13th.

Not only did the series scare generations of moviegoers, it introduced the world to machetewielding Jason Voorhees.

In 29 years, Jason has claimed more than 160 victims, making him one of the ultimate horror movie bad guys.

The hockey mask Jason wears is unmistakable and continues to be a Halloween favorite.

The films are R-rated and fairly gory, so “Friday the 13th” might not be for children, but if the plan for this Friday the 13th is to stay in, perhaps you would like to share it with notorious movie icon Jason Voorhees.

?

Do you feel lucky today ?

Male of 20 asked yes 35% no 65%

Female of 20 asked yes 25% no 75%

Source: Random, on-campus survey of 40 students

Prem Myth, folklore bu

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

Despite being Friday the 13th, some people will get up and go about their day as they always do.

Others might drive a little more cautiously on the highway, keep an eye out for a crossing black cat or avoid ladders.

Some people won’t even get out of bed. The fear of being out in the world on Friday the 13th is just too much.

Psychology adjunct David Katakalos does think misfortune follows a calendar and that bad luck can happen to anyone any day.

“When misfortune coincides with numbers and dates, it starts to add credence to the myth,” he said.

“Paraskevidekatriaphobia” is the word coined by Dr. Donald E. Dossey for a phobia of Friday the 13th. The phobia of the number 13 is triskaidekaphobia.

Dossey is CEO of the Stress Management Center/Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C. In his book, “Holiday, Folklore, Phobias and Fun,” Dossey wrote that he jokes with his patients, “When you learn to pronounce it, you’re cured.”

“Paraskevidekatriaphobia” comes in two parts — a fear of the number 13 coupled with the fear of Friday.

The number 13 has long been considered unlucky that many buildings do not label the 13th level as the 13th floor as if it does not exist or there is no access via elevator.

The downtown Hyatt Regency San Antonio does not have a 13th floor. The elevator button panels skip from 12 to 14.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City shares a sense of superstition, and has no gate numbered 13.

The unfortunate luck of this number goes far back in history.

Douglas Hill’s “Magic and Superstition” references a 13th guest who brought bad luck in Norse mythology.

According to the legend, 12 gods gathered for a dinner party when demigod Loki, an evildoer, crashed the party.

Loki’s mischief resulted in the murder of Balder, the god of joy and gladness.

Thirteen was considered bad luck from then on.

The superstition also appears in Christianity.

Thirteen people sat down at the Last Supper. It is believed that Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus to the Romans, was the 13th to arrive.

A second component of the phobia is rooted in other historical unlucky events that fell on Fridays.

Some theories about Friday’s luck lead right back to Norse mythology and Christianity.

According to Dictionary.com, the word Friday comes from the word frigg or frigga.

Frigga is the name of the Norse goddess of married love and the heavens. Also, she was the mother of Balder who was killed by Loki’s machinations.

On that day, Frigga’s sadness spread across the universe, leaving an unlucky feeling.

According to Christian faith, Good Friday is celebrated because people believe Jesus was crucified on that day of the week.

According to “Holiday, Folklore, Phobias and Fun,” the U.S. Navy will not launch a ship on Friday the 13th, and many sailors will not set sail on a Friday.

One sailor legend illustrating Friday’s bad luck is the tale of a ship owner who set out to disprove the superstition.

The keel of his ship was laid on Friday and then he named the ship Friday.

The command of that ship was given a captain named Friday, and its maiden voyage began on a Friday.

As the tale goes, the ship never made it to port and was never seen again.

One legend Katakalos shared involved King Philip IV of France who struck down the Knights Templars on Friday the 13th.

The poor luck that follows the number 13

miere uild frenzy for Friday the 13th and Friday are told through generations of legends and myths.

Such myths and legends may serve a higher purpose, Katakalos said.

“They may remind us that we should stay alert,” he said. “Just like the way we use fairy tales to teach our children.”

While only few people suffer from “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” it seems as if no one can escape the strange feeling Friday the 13th brings.

“For people who have had bad luck on Friday the 13th, it is real,” Katakalos said.

It also may be because people seldom hear many stories of good luck around superstitious things, he said. “You never hear that a black cat crossed my path and then I won the lottery.”

In “Holiday, Folklore, Phobias and Fun,” Dossey suggests that the erratic schedule of Fridays that fall on the 13th could cause some of the commotion.

Each year has at least one Friday the 13th, and no more than three.

This is the only Friday the 13th this year.

So is Friday the 13th bad luck?

The answer depends on how your day is going.

Sept. 13, 2013 • 9

Media members perform 25th Gridiron show News professionals poke fun at newsmakers in comedy skits.

By Emily Rodriguez

erodriguez734@student.alamo.edu

“50 Shades of SA” is the theme of the 25th Gridiron comedy show at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts.

Gridiron is a variety show put on by the San Antonio chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, poking fun at the popular national and local news of the year.

This college’s student chapter is assisting with the production, which raises money for scholarships for journalism students.

The show consists of skits, videos and musical parody.

SPJ President Eva Ruth Moravec, San Antonio ExpressNews reporter, said the show is comparable to “Saturday Night Live” and “Cornyation,” a pageant spoof on Fiesta royal courts.

“We are just a little bit more across the board, satirical. We make fun of everyone this year, and we’re having a great time doing it,” she said. “We’re hoping that it is a funny experience for everyone.”

The theme is based on the popular trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E. L. James, featuring BDSM, or bondage, domination, discipline, submission, sadism and masochism in sex play.

“It’s an extremely popular book that continues to make headlines,” Moravec said. “It’s relevant, and it’s racy, and it kind of foreshadows the content for this year’s show, and how we’re taking it a little bit further than last year.”

The show is written, produced and performed by members of local news media outlets.

“Different people contribute to the writing process. Some cast members write skits, others are written by a committee.

Some of the videos — those ideas come from those who do video. They just come from all over,” Moravec said.

Proceeds from ticket sales will fund scholarships for journalism students in the San Antonio area.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://sanantoniospj. ticketbud.com/gridiron. Early bird tickets can be purchased for $20 through Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 Sept. 15-19 and at the door.

For more information, visit the Gridiron’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/146880682186198/ or call Moravec at 210-422-9737.

Illustrations by Alexandra Nelipa

www.theranger.org

10 • Sept. 13, 2013

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www.theranger.org/calendar

SAConnected

Sept. 13, 2013 •11

Juried student exhibit brings building to life Artwork will be on display through Sept. 23.

By Adriana Ruiz

Saturday Event: 16 de Septiembre Parade and Festival 10 a.m. beginning at Zarzamora and Guadalupe. Call 210-223-3151 or visit http://avenidaguadalupe.org/.

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Monday SAC Event: Corridos and Café with Los Inocentes 8 a.m. in the faculty lounge of Loftin. Call 210-486-0880.

SAC Event: Latino Beats! With Los Inocentes 11 a.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0880.

Tuesday SAC Event: Student undergrad research program showcase all day in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-0880.

Students’ work is on display through Sept. 23 in an annual exhibit at the visual arts center. Raquel Estrada

’’

gives viewers the opportunity to get ent classes choose work that is the up close and see details. best, but also in someway unique,” “Some of the artwork you can tell Professor Tom Willome said. students put a lot He asked for of work and effort. viewers to respect It’s very professional It’s very profesthe work and to and inspiring. sional and inspirwatch their step Keith Lemon, when viewing the ing,” American American Sign artwork.

Sign Language Language sophomore sophomore Keith “Don’t touch Limon said. things that are Artwork on obviously fragdisplay was completed during the ile,” Willome said. spring semester and selected by a The 2012-13 Student Visual Arts group of faculty members.

Exhibition is open to students and “Representatives from differthe public from 6:45 a.m.-8 p.m,

Monday-Friday on the first and second floors.

A new installation will be available starting Oct. 2 showcasing paintings by former students Erick Salazar and James Woodward.

Students enrolled in visual arts classes have the opportunity to submit artwork if they are enrolled in a course requiring studio credit.

Student artwork must be completed during the fall or the spring semester to be judged and displayed at the 2013-14 Annual Student Visual Arts Exhibition that will be open for viewing on April 14.

Today Weekend Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

One peek inside the visual arts center, and it’s clear that this is not a usual lobby.

Instead, the room is decorated from top to bottom and people are immediately greeted by an array of eclectic forms and distinct paint splashes created by students.

The lobby acts as the 2012-13 Annual Art Students Exhibition, including drawings, paintings, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, two-dimensional designs, threedimensional design and digital art.

The exhibit runs through Sept. 23.

Students involved in the student exhibit have the opportunity to win recognition and scholarships.

The visual arts program awards the Robert and Laura Fainter Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Art and the James C. Elmore II Memorial Art Scholarship to students who demonstrate exceptional work in studio classes.

The scholarships average from $200-$500 based on the number of recipients and contributions.

“The scholarships are given in order to defray cost of supplies,” Professor Debra Schafter said.

The exhibit features small artwork inside glass boxes, paintings and sketches hung along the walls.

Objects dangle from the ceiling and larger sculptures are displayed on the floor.

Artwork is free standing, which

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M-San Antonio transfer advising 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the transfer center, Room 107 of Moody. Continues Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 210-4860864.

SAC Event: Lunch-n-Café noon in Church of Christ Student Center, 301 W. Dewey. Continues Fridays.

Call 210-736-6750.

Event: Art party at 6 p.m.

San Antonio Museum of Art free with museum admission. Free admission with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210-978-8100 or visit www. samuseum.org.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Saturday Event: International Accordion Festival at La Villita with live music, food and dancing. Continues Sunday. Call 210-2078610 or visit www.internationalaccordionfestival.org/

Event: Bibliotech Digital Library Grand Opening 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 3505 Pleasanton Rd. Call 210631-0180 or visit www.bexarbibliotech.org.

Sunday

Reminder: Hispanic Heritage Month begins.

SAC Soccer: Women’s soccer vs. UT-Austin Soccer Club 11 a.m. at Whitaker fields, 4612 Ave. D in Austin.

Call 210-265-7310.

Reminder: Mexican Independence Day

Trinity Event: Fifth annual Taiwan Film Festival 4 p.m.7 p.m. in Chapman Center, 126 Auditorium. Call 210999-7191 or email EAST@ trinity.edu.

SAC Event: Constitution Day sponsored by the criminal justice department exploring the First Amendment and free speech 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0835.

SAC Transfer: Texas Tech University transfer advising 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first floor of Loftin. Call 210486-0864.

SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club noon in writing center in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-4860668.

SAC Lecture: Bogdan Perzinski sponsored by visual arts program at 10:50 a.m. to noon. Call 210-486-1042.

Volunteer: Weed Wednesday at Hardberger Park 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Help pull weeds and plant native plants. Call 210-2013292 or email wendy.leonard@sanantonio.gov.

SAC Transfer: Incarnate Word University transfer advising 9 a.m.-noon on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: STEM-ulate Science Showcase 9 a.m.1:30 p.m. in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-4860598 or email Idixon4@ alamo.edu.

SAC Event: Art lecture

by Bogdan Perzynski, professor of art and co-founder of the transmedia program at University of Texas at Austin, 10:50 a.m.-noon in Room 120 of visual arts.

Call 210-4861042 or email dschafter@ alamo.edu.

SAC Event: University of Texas at San Antonio recruiting 9 a.m-noon on first floor of Chance and advising 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in the transfer center Room 107 of Moody. Call 210-486-0864.

Event: “Moonstruck” screening at Throwback Thursdays End of Summer Movie Series 6 p.m. at Arneson River Theatre with moon pies to celebrate last full moon of summer. Call 210-207-8614.

Wednesday SPC Event: Hispanic Heritage kickoff 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at flagpole circle outside Watson. Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Event: Salsa lessons 11 a.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0880.

SAC Lecture: District 1 City Councilman Diego Bernal 11 a.m. in Room 218 of nursing complex. Call 210-486-0880.

Thursday SAC Event: Rediscovering Mexican Religious Art with communication design Coordinator Richard Arredondo noon in Room 218 of nursing complex. Call 210486-0880.

Sept. 24 SAC Lecture: Planned Parenthood with Mara Posada at 9:25 a.m. in Room 218 of nursing complex. Call 210-486-0880.

Sept. 25 SAC Event: Antojitos Festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0880.

Sept. 26 SAC Lecture: muralist at in

EcoCentro Luis Lopez 9:25 a.m.

Room 218 of nursing complex.

Call 210486-0880.

Sept. 28 SAC Lecture: Coahuiltecan creation panel exploring the study of an ancient civilization predating the Maya 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts center. Call 210-486-0880.

Sept. 30 SAC Event: Hecho a Mano craft show 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0880.

Oct. 1 SAC Event: Opening of “I Am Celso” at 7 p.m. in theater in McCreless. Call 210486-0880.

Oct. 2 SAC Lecture: Dr. Kristine Garza from the Society for the Advancement of Chicano and Native American Scientists 3:30 p.m. in Room 218 of nursing complex. Call 210486-0880.

!

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

12 • Sept. 13, 2013

www.theranger.org/editorial

.org

the

ranger

Editorial

Editor Carlos Ferrand Managing Editor Emily Rodriguez News Editor Katherine Garcia Pulse Editor Michael Peters Opinion Editor Paula Christine Schuler Calendar Editor Katrina Dela Cruz Staff Writers Kathya Anguiano, M. Megumi Badillo, M. J. Callahan, Priscilla Galarza, Christopher A. Hernandez, Cory D. Hill, T. L. Hupfer, Neven Jones, Jahna Lacey, Henry M. Hernandez Jr., Bleah B. Patterson, Cassandra M. Rodriguez, Justin Rodriguez, Lorena R. Rivera, Adriana Ruiz, Diana M. Sanchez, Rachael Sanchez Photo Editor Monica Lamadrid Photographers Casey Alcala, Daniel Arguelles, Raquel Estrada Photo Team Ana Victoria Cano, Daniel Carde, Celeste Christy, Robbin Cresswell, Hosanna Diaz, Ian Flores, Marina Garcia, Esmeralda Gonzales, Osita Omesiete, Kirsten Simpson, Marie Sullins Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Mandy Derfler Multimedia Editor Riley Stephens Advertising Manager Patricia McGlamory Alexandra Nelipa

©2013 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MetaMedia

We are watching In a perfect world, the people with the most power and influence make decisions that are transparent, and they have the best intentions to serve the masses.

They share everything. They have nothing to hide.

Well, this is not a perfect world, and those with the most power and influence are not always making decisions in the best interest of anyone except themselves.

Enter the watchdog, a function of the media that is as old as newspapers.

In this country, the people give government its power through elections, and it is the watchdog that must keep an eye on it to make sure the public is served.

Because the function of the watchdog is so important, the Constitution protects media in the First Amendment.

The watchdog watches government agencies to protect the people from abuse of power.

Reporters are not scared to ask the tough questions because they

understand the pen is truly mightier than the sword. The watchdog must report the answers.

The public has looked to the newspaper for the what, why, where, when and how since Publick Occurrences, Both Foreign and Domestick was published in 1690.

It was the press that helped sow the seeds of revolution in this country and led to the war for independence from the British.

Nellie Bly of the New York World checked herself into a mental institution in 1887 to reveal the horrific treatment of mental patients and changed conditions forever.

The Washington Post investigated a burglary in the Watergate in 1972 that led to the resignation of a president.

Today, the watchdog function also is a part of radio, television, Internet and social media.

When government, corporations and institutions purposely keep issues gray, it is important to see the facts in black and white.

See “Council approves gnome as the spirit figure for the college” online at theranger.org.

Fee equals tuition hike The new $25 semester campus access fee for students is a tuition hike no matter what officials call it.

Trustees voted May 23 to add a $25 charge each fall and spring semester for a campus access fee to help pay for debt service on parking garages, lots and road maintenance.

For that fee, students get a parking permit or a VIA bus pass valid through December.

Employee parking permits cost $50 for the year and will be paid through payroll deduction.

A regular student bus pass costs $35, and VIA offers a spring pass.

So while this is a savings for students who enroll only in the fall semester and take the bus, it is not a savings for all students.

The access fee offers no benefit for students who only take an online class and never step on a campus.

Others needlessly shelling out an extra $25 each semester are those who walk, bike, carpool or get dropped off.

In April, trustees unanimously agreed they wouldn’t raise the price of tuition for 2013-14.

Charging students for something they don’t need is a rise in tuition.

A hike is a hike. Don’t play semantics with students, most of whom work long hours to pay for their educations.

Students who don’t need a parking permit or VIA bus pass shouldn’t be penalized.

They shouldn’t have to pay to access the campus of a public institution.

Keep faith, never blink The third week of the semester is about the time when the glamour of being a college student gives way to the reality of being a college student.

The hard work students heard was coming has finally begun.

Stop and take a deep breath because the next move you make may be the most important step you take in your academic career.

College is difficult, and it takes your full attention to complete. It has to be a priority.

The first thing every student should do is get organized.

Get yourself a weekly planner to help keep everything in order. Grocery stores sell a yearlong weekly planner for $5.

If you do not want to spend more money on a planner, you can use a calendar app found on most phones or the calendar on your computer.

Keep track of assignments, due dates and test dates.

When you know what is coming up, you can start to create ways to complete everything.

It is hard to imagine moving a mountain, but if you do it one pebble at a time you can manage anything.

Part of being successful in college is also being prepared.

When a professor tells the class to read the textbook so they better understand the lectures, it is not a waste of time.

Most things we hear and see go into our short-term memory and disappear by test

time.

By reading the information and engaging in class discussions, you will find that using the information you read helps you to retain the information.

You should also review your notes after every class. The more you see the information, the more likely you are to remember the information.

Never walk into a classroom without a pencil or pen and paper.

If you are not prepared to take good notes each class period, then do not expect to pass the course.

Knowing the information is not only going to help you pass the course, but it will build your confidence among your peers and professors.

Knowledge is power, so get as much as you can. If you want to succeed, you should work hard enough to do so.

Even the most prepared and organized students may struggle in college, so it is very important to stay positive and believe in yourself.

If you quit because you think the class is too hard or the teacher is a jerk, remember you are not just quitting on them, you are quitting on yourself.

The semester is still young, and there is a lot of work to do. Quitting won’t get you anywhere.

Rise up to the challenge that this college offers, and finish what you started.

Opinion

www.theranger.org/opinion

Sept. 13, 2013 • 13

Nobel economist is missed and remembered Fringe economist influenced professor’s education.

This past January, I was saddened to learn that a great prize-winning economist, James M. Buchanan Jr., died at the age of 93.

Guest He received the Nobel Viewpoint Memorial Prize in Economic

by Cyril J. Sciences in 1986.

Morong He was instrumental in development of an area of ecosacranger@ alamo.edu nomics called “public choice” (sometimes political economy), which uses economic analysis to study how government and the political system work.

His work had an enormous influence on me because I used the kinds of tools he helped create in my Ph.D. dissertation.

In it, I analyzed how both economic and ideological factors influenced congressional legislation during the Federalist period.

Not surprisingly, the economic factors often greatly affected how congressmen voted.

Ideological factors were sometimes significant, too, but usually on bills that did not have clear-cut economic winners and losers.

I may owe much of my professional life to Buchanan’s work.

His best-known book might be “The Calculus of Consent.” He and co-author Gordon Tullock showed that selfish politicians will not always act in the public interest.

Buchanan was very concerned with how con-

Letters Express yourself on #DropThatDebt Editor: I applaud you on beginning a new semester at San Antonio College. I have visited your campus many times in the past year and enjoyed participating in a student government conference at SAC last October.

There, I encouraged students to advocate for their education and their futures. Civic involvement should last a lifetime, and I urge you to get started early. Too many Texans encounter financial barriers to higher education, and too many others leave college with a mountain of debt.

You have much at stake in Washington. I have supported legislation to avoid the doubling of interest rates on federal loans and to continue adequate funding for Pell Grants and other types of federal student financial assistance.

stitutions are written because they determine how politicians behave and, therefore, determine the outcomes and effects of policy.

He worried politicians have incentives to promise benefits to voters right before elections while also promising tax cuts or to keep taxes from rising.

This could potentially lead to big deficits and then a large national debt.

These are certainly issues on the minds of Americans now.

He blamed the debt problems partly on British economist John Maynard Keynes, whose ideas still loom large in teaching economics in college.

Because he saw all the ways that politicians could make things worse, he was a proponent of small government, not a popular view on college campuses today.

One source said his respect for individuals led him to favor limitations on the size and power of the state.

According to The New York Times, “He joined the Navy, became an officer and served in World War II on the staff of Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the Pacific Fleet commander.”

So Buchanan had a Texas connection as Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg.

I was lucky enough to meet and talk to Buchanan once at the annual meetings of The Public Choice Society, an organization founded

by Buchanan and Tullock. He was very down-toearth for a giant in his field.

We continue to face big challenges from those who do not believe in federal aid to education and who oppose adequate funding for student aid.

I believe that an investment in you is an investment in the future of America, but to maintain that investment, it is essential that you continue to make your voices heard.

What do you think about the rising student loan burden? Share information about how student loan debt after Doggett graduation will affect you so I can share your thoughts, stories and ideas with my colleagues.

You can email me at Lloyd.

Doggett@mail.house.gov, send me a message on my website at http:// doggett.house.gov, tweet me using @RepLloydDoggett (don’t forget the #DropThatDebt hashtag!), or post a photo of yourself with your story on my Facebook page at http://www. facebook.com/LloydDoggett.

I want to hear from you, the students affected by the doubling inter-

Sound Off What do you think about the $25 per semester campus access fee?

(See “Students, employees required to pay new campus access fee” Aug.6) “It should be something students have the option to have, but you shouldn’t have to pay for it if you don’t use.”

Isaac Alvarez, radio-televisionbroadcast sophomore

James M. Buchanan Jr., winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Ecomonic Sciences in 1986. Courtesy

“I got my parking pass on ACES, but I didn’t know I paid for it.”

Julia Estrada, nursing freshman

The Times finished his obituary, “I have faced a sometimes lonely and mostly losing battle of ideas for some 30 years now in efforts to bring academic economists’ opinions into line with those of the man on the street,” he said.

“My task has been to ‘uneducate’ the economists.”

“I think it’s great because I used to pay $60 for parking at Texas A&M and now it’s $25.” Isabella Elizondo, liberal arts sophomore

Cyril J. Morong is a professor of economics at this college.

est rates on your student loans.

I successfully authored the “More Education” tax credit to encourage those seeking education beyond high school. Also known as the American Opportunity Tax Credit, this law provides a tax cut to students or their families by up to $10,000 over four years as reimbursement for tuition, textbooks and other higher education expenses.

This $2,500 annual credit can go a long way toward helping make ends meet.

Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to make this tax credit permanent and to make it work better for students who also receive Pell Grants.

Throughout your time here, I look forward to seeing you when I am in San Antonio participating in community events and holding my neighborhood office hours.

I also encourage students to get involved as interns in my San Antonio and Washington, D.C., offices. I am always looking for students

to help me serve the community.

Interested in an internship?

Please visit my website at http:// doggett.house.gov and click on “Students” under the “Serving You” tab to find out how to apply.

A recent SAC graduate, Timoteo Garcia, interned this summer in my San Antonio office just off West Travis Street.

I wish you a successful year.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett 35th Congressional District

Editor’s note: The Ranger encourages readers to voice their opinions by submitting letters to the editor.

Letters should be emailed to sacranger@alamo.edu.

Letters also can be submitted at theranger.org. Click “contact us,” then click “submit a letter.”

Letters must include a printed name and telephone number.

A student’s major, classification, campus and Banner ID need to be included. Employees should include titles.

Letters should not exceed two pages.

“I think it’s good that it goes for scholarships.”

Daniel Mendez, nursing sophomore

“I’m fine with it. I’m not really affected.”

Andrew Meza, liberal arts freshman “I think it’s pretty cool that it’s included in our tuition because now there’s no waiting in line.” Aaron Nava, mechanical engineering sophomore “As a driver it was easy, I didn’t have to go out of my way to get the parking pass.” Caitlin Pattison, liberal arts freshman What do you think?

Sound off on Facebook about stories in The Ranger and The Ranger online at /readtheranger

Pulse

14 • Sept. 13, 2013

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Kinesiology sophomore Matthew Ramirez directs players during a defensive move drill that focuses on reactions during the men's basketball tryouts Sept. 6 in Gym 2 of Candler. Daniel Arguelles

SAC men’s basketball is back; season begins Oct. 16

By Michael Peters

mpeters28@student.alamo.edu

This college’s men’s basketball team made its return at tryouts Sept. 6 in Gym 2 of Candler Physical Education Center.

The turnout was tremendous with 54 students showing up hoping to make the team.

“It was a great turnout,” said Matthew Ramirez, kinesiology sophomore and men’s basketball coach.

Tryouts started with a full-court layup drill, during which the student starts at the baseline and passes the ball to a teammate further up the court. The teammate throws a lead pass, which the original player takes on a drive to the hoop and attempts a layup.

The students went from full-court layup to full-court free throw line

jumpers next.

The first two drills were executed well but the three-man weave drill had a few hiccups.

During the drill, a group of three students work their way down the court only by passing the ball with no dribbling allowed. Groups starting too soon after each other plagued the drill, and there were several bad passes.

The next drill focused on running off a low-post screen, receiving a pass and taking a free-throw line extended jump shot or a baseline jump shot depending on which side of the court the drill was taking place.

Attentions turned to defense next with drills focusing on proper defensive stances and movements.

Following the defensive drills were suicides, during which students

ran from the baseline to half-court and back before running the full length of the court.

Suicides weren’t the end of the running for the students. Next they had to run from one wall to the other and back in seven seconds.

The final drill was full-court fiveon-five, during which players who were guaranteed a spot on the team participated.

Players who practiced with the team and played in the scrimmage against St. Philip’s College last semester were guaranteed a spot on the team.

One returning player, though, was not able to participate.

Biology sophomore Edward Kessler was finishing up his usual 3-mile run when he was the victim of a hit-and-run.

His head hit the windshield, knocking him out and sending him to the hospital with a concussion.

The incident occurred Sept. 2 offcampus.

Kessler is on crutches with a brace on his right leg but is hopeful of returning for the start of the season.

“Yeah, I’ll be back,” he said. “I just have to take it easy for now because the season doesn’t start for a month.”

No bones were broken in his leg and Kessler is awaiting the results of an MRI to find out if he has any ligament damage.

Tryouts ended after five-on-five and Ramirez had to make final cuts.

Twelve students made the team and will be suited up for games while seven more will practice with the team and play if injuries occur.

“We were missing some big men,

but I’m more at ease now,” Ramirez said. The team is on the right track, Ramirez said before admitting there’s still work to do.

Ramirez said his team has the capability to be versatile on offense and defense.

“We have good shooters and athletes at every position,” he said.

As far as the style of play, Ramirez is willing to adapt during the game.

“We’ll have a lot of run and gun, but if that isn’t working we’ll move to a motion offense,” he said.

Defensively, Ramirez said his team has a strong zone defense but is also capable in man-to-man.

The season starts at 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Southwest Texas Junior College, 2401 Garner Field, Uvalde. For more information call Ramirez, 210-3717401.

Women’s basketball team completes first of two tryouts

Workout options in Candler

After original tryout, coach calls for another today before making final roster decisions.

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

By Michael Peters

mpeters28@student.alamo.edu

This college’s women’s basketball team was hard at work during tryouts Sept. 6 in Gym 2 of Candler Physical Education Center.

Kelby Rowe, fire science freshman and women’s basketball coach, will lead the team in their attempt to make the return of basketball to this college a successful one.

Rowe began tryouts with light warmups before starting the first drill.

The students formed a straight line and ran around the perimeter of the court. Each time Rowe blew the whistle, the woman in the back of the line ran to the front of the line.

The one-on-one drill was next, which involved one player with the ball and the other playing defense.

Rowe wanted to see lockdown defense during this drill.

“Let’s go defense,” Rowe shouted.

Next, the students competed in the 3-on-2 offense vs. defense drill.

Rowe stressed to his players that he wanted to hear communication on defense.

The defense dominated the drill, but the offense ended the drill with a bucket.

The students competed in a shooting drill next.

On one end of the floor, the student received a pass and took a jump shot from the free-throw line extended. The student then ran to the other end of the court, received a pass and shot from

the same spot.

Criminal justice sophomore Kim Alonso stood out in the shooting drill as she drew cheers from her teammates on each successful jump shot.

For the remainder of the tryout, the students competed in a full-court five-on-five drill.

The first team to 3 points wins and stays on the court while another team replaces the losing team.

Again, Rowe stressed communication on defense.

“Find your man,” Rowe shouted. “I don’t hear talking!”

There was a scare during the drill when fire science sophomore Jennifer Gonzales rolled her ankle diving for a loose ball.

Gonzales elected to stay on the court instead of being subbed out.

After the tryout ended, Rowe addressed his players at center court.

“I like what I saw,” Rowe said. “We’re going to work hard together and work as a team. We’re a family.”

Rowe was pleased with the turnout of 21 students and estimated he will have to cut four or five players.

Rowe said he thought the students were good and they brought their “A” game.

“We have to improve our communication and help defense,” Rowe said.

Rowe wants a family atmosphere around the team.

“No one is above anyone else,” Rowe said.

“We win as a team, and we lose as a team.”

Rowe said he wants his team to play with honor, courage and commitment.

“Not just commitment on the floor but in the

By Lorena R. Rivera

Liberal arts sophomore Shadia Williams blocks veterinary freshman Scarlett Suarez during a one-on-one drill during women’s basketball tryouts Sept. 6 in Candler. Daniel Arguelles classroom as well,” Rowe said.

The season starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at Southwest Texas Junior College, 2401 Garner Field Road in Uvalde.

Rowe has called for a second tryout before making cuts, which takes place 1 p.m-3 p.m. today in Gym 2 of Candler.

For more information, call Rowe at 210-2140333.

Being a college student usually means juggling many different responsibilities. And making time for personal fitness sometimes doesn’t make it to the top of the “to-do list.”

But this college has opened a few options for students that can make getting to the gym easier. The kinesiology department is opening recreational hours for students starting Monday.

The gymnasium and conditioning rooms are among facilities open to students.

Recreational hours for the gym are 2:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

The conditioning room, which includes cardio equipment, is open 2:10 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

The swimming pool also will be open for students beginning Monday.

The hours for the pool will be posted inside the gymnasium that day.

Chair Bill Richardson expressed the importance of students taking advantage of these options for physical fitness.

“It clears the cobwebs out of your mind,” he said. “Good health and physical activities equal mental health, which helps with academics.”

For more information, call 210-4861019 or stop by the gym.

www.theranger.org

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Feature

16 • Sept. 13, 2013

www.theranger.org/news

Left: Architecture sophomore Michael Chang aligns cans to keep the structure stable. The structure has no internal support.

Above: Alexis Rocha, environmental architecture and engineering sophomore, checks the layout of the pattern of cans against the design with architecture sophomore Henry Urbina.

AIAS adviser Isabel Garcia reads the Best Use of Labels Award. This is the chapter’s first award in four years of participation. The structures are on display until Sept. 21.

After seven hours of stacking cans, the AIAS chapter of this college poses with the structure.

Canstruction zone Competition challenges design skills, feeds the hungry Story and photos by Monica Lamadrid mlamadrid@student.alamo.edu

This college’s chapter of American Institute of Architecture Students won the Best Use Of Labels Award Monday in Canstruction, an annual competition for professionals and students in North Star Mall.

Canstruction is a nonprofit organization dedicated to end hunger. The competition takes place in 215 cities worldwide and gathers about 210 million pounds of food a year for local food banks.

The local sponsors are the Food Bank, American Institute of Architecture San Antonio and the Society for Design Administration.

The Best Use Of Labels Award is given to participants who use the labels in a creative way in the design.

After the display ends Sept. 22, all the cans will be donated to local food banks.

This year, Canstruction supported the San Antonio Food Bank and Whataburger’s “SA Goes Orange” campaign for hunger awareness.

Teams were encouraged to use this theme in their designs.

The competition included 13 teams from around the city. This college’s AIAS chapter was the only school participating.

The other teams consisted of architecture,

Michael Chang uses cardboard to line up cans. engineering and construction firms.

This is the first competition for the newly elected president of the chapter, architecture sophomore Michael Chang.

Chang and the secretary of the club, Alexis Rocha, environmental architecture and engineering sophomore, went to the kickoff meeting June 12 where they were given the theme and the location of their display in the mall.

Luby’s Inc. donated $2,500 and H-E-B gave $100 in gift cards to buy 3,000 cans.

Former student Hector Reyes, assistant project manager in Malitz Construction Inc., said he was proud of the team because he knew gathering the resources was the most difficult part.

“We wanted to support students’ efforts of having a team, and we realized that students will learn more by focusing on design rather than raising money. So we found a natural partner in Luby’s, which allows students to focus on the design problem,” said Torrey Stanley Carleton, executive director of AIA San Antonio, after the students received their award.

Chang said, “We had to go to H-E-B, measure all the cans, take pictures of the cans to see which ones are suitable. We took them home and got all the measurements to make the sketches.”

After three rejected designs, Chang and Rocha decided to go with a design called “Face of Change,” a city landscape that looks like a face when seen from the right angle.

“This city will face the people and reflect its image with the cans that have created it,” Chang said, describing the piece.

Structures could not exceed 10-by10-by-8 feet and had to be made primarily with cans.

The display can be seen from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday trough Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave.

Alexis Rocha sets up the base for the first building of the design while architecture sophomore Tiffany Smith resupplies her.

Shoppers in North Star Mall watch the students’ progress.

The San Antonio College team was the last one to finish construction.

Participants had to complete construction between 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday.