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Volume 89 Issue 4 • Oct. 6, 2014
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Chancellor blames Texas Legislature for degree change Only new students will receive generic diplomas. By Bleah B. Patterson
bpatterson13@student.alamo.edu
Strutting auditions
Pre-med biology sophomore Maryssa Ramon walks the runway at model auditions Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. More than 15 students showed up for open auditions to participate
According to the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, during the 83rd legislative session in 2013, House Bill 489 guaranteed the right to be accompanied by a trained service animal in all public places. The person may also take a service animal on public transportation without paying a second fare. If a person’s disability is not visible, an authority figure can only ask if the animal is required because the person has a disability and what task or work the animal is trained to perform. Delia De Luna, student success senior generalist, who works in disABILITY support services at this campus, said according to Alamo Colleges policy, students may, but are not required to, show documentation to the college. De Luna said, “We prefer and strongly suggest the individual come through our
Students, faculty and administrators are trying to understand the move to generic degrees as the situation evolves, and it is the Texas Legislature that is to blame, Chancellor Bruce Leslie said. To resolve districtwide confusion, students enrolled at any of the Alamo Colleges before this semester will not be affected by the degree change and their concentrations will be printed onto their diplomas, Leslie said Tuesday. Students who choose to graduate using the degree plan with the catalog year they started will have their concentrations on their diplomas and transcripts, he said. Students If we take anything who began fall from our offices 2014, or begin and make it any semester public before after, will not we’ve finished the have a concenprocess, some tration specipeople assume it’s fied on their finalized, but often diploma unless it’s far from it. further changes Bruce Leslie are made. “We’re tryChancellor ing to figure out how to make this work, too,” Leslie said. “It’s constantly changing, and we’re working with the statewide system the best we can.” In April the president and vice chancellor’s committee, PVC, chose to remove concentrations, or major specifications, from Associate of Arts and Associate of Science diplomas after a recommendation by the accrediting agency liaisons here and at Northeast Lakeview, St. Philip’s and Northwest Vista colleges. Northeast Lakeview is in the process of accreditation. The other three Alamo Colleges are approaching reaffirmation. Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor of academic success, sent an email Sept. 19 to employees districtwide with an update about the degree change. “Students that enrolled prior to the fall 2014 term may choose whether or not to seek the A.A. or A.S. under a previous catalog with a field of study on the transcript,” Fabianke wrote. It was the word “transcript” and the omission of the word “diploma” in the email that led to President Mike Flores of Palo Alto College and Dr. Robert Vela, president of this college to contradict each other in interviews. Leslie said confusion happens when faculty and students do not understand the evolution of a process evolving from the conception of an idea to the final product. “If we take anything from our offices and make it public before we’ve finished the process, some people assume it’s finalized, but often it’s far from it,” Leslie said. In response to discussions among college accreditation liaisons, college Presidents and vice chancellors, Leslie sent a letter seeking clarification last week to a representative at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. He said he does not expect to hear back from the agency until next week because a lot of the administrators are in a conference. He said everyone has put more emphasis on what will be written “on a piece of paper,” instead
See SERVICE, Page 9
See LEGISLATURE, Page 9
as models, designers, hair stylists and makeup artists in a Nov. 19 fashion show. After auditions, practice will be once a week until the show. The event was sponsored by student life. Ayesa Hinojosa
Service dog helps PTSD, anxiety While not required, a student can register with disABILITY support services. By Nathalie Mora
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
English freshman Lacey Haugse’s dog Chance is more than just a pet. Chance helps Haugse deal with the anxiety and depression of post-traumatic stress disorder. Chance knows deep pressure therapy, which is similar to a hug. When Haugse is having an anxiety attack, Chance hops on her lap and adds pressure on her chest. “He helps me with mobility, helps me up stairs and helps me up when I’m on the floor,” Haugse said. Extreme bullying in high school triggered English freshman Lacey Haugse enjoys the day the beginnings of PTSD. with her service dog, Chance, Thursday west of “One time, a girl spilled milk on my Moody. Chance, a Labrador retriever mix, can head, then ‘Got Milk?’ was part of my name.” sense when Lacey’s heart rate increases and ease Haugse said. her anxiety. Milena Arias Her psychiatrist recommended she get a service dog. can help soothe a person’s anxiety. “I’ve had this feeling like something He said when there are triggers present wasn’t complete,” Haugse said. “I had been for her anxiety or panic attacks, the dog will looking for other ways sense it and try to comfort to cope with my anxiety, the individual. He is just there depression and PTSD.” Brandenburg said overand that’s what I She said she noticed coming PTSD is hard and like, the constant an immediate change in having a service dog does reminder of ‘it’s her anxiety levels after not guarantee the patient OK; it’s going to be adopting Chance and will overcome it, but having training with him. one certainly helps. OK.’ “I had a sense of Haugse and Chance are Lacey Haugse belonging,” Haugse said. living proof. English freshman “He is just there and “If my heart rate goes that’s what I like, the conabove 110, he starts lookstant reminder of ‘it’s OK; it’s going to be OK,” ing at me and I will know that my heart rate she said. has to go down,” Haugse said. Counselor James Brandenburg said ani“Even just being around him makes me mals are very calming and a dog’s presence feel so much better,” Haugse stressed.
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Service animal etiquette English freshman Lacey Haugse stressed the importance of service dog etiquette and respect for the dog’s job. “There’s a certain etiquette that you have to maintain. You don’t look at the dog, you don’t speak to the dog and, especially, you don’t pet the dog.” Most service dogs will have, even though not required, a vest “working dog, do not pet” or simply “service dog.” Haugse said it does not bother her, but it makes her uncomfortable to be stopped every five minutes. That alone could trigger an anxiety attack. “He has a job to do and his job is to focus on me and my well being,” Haugse said.
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