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Volume 89 Issue 2 • Sept. 22, 2014
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
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Generic degrees awarded in lieu of specified major Students will only receive one A.A. or A.S. despite number of credit hours.
Conditioning Kinesiology sophomore Johnny Muñoz works out on parallel bars while other students scale a new climbing wall during a physical conditioning session in
Weight Training I Tuesday in the Dean’s Backyard south of Lot 20. Muñoz said he wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve his conditioning. E. David Guel
Board hears report on rising completion rates, falling engagement scores District scores show students want more faculty support. By Bleah B. Patterson
bpatterson13@student.alamo.edu
The district board of trustees is pleased with improvements in completion, retention and productive grade rates across the five colleges; however, they are now looking to improve falling Community College Survey of Student Engagement scores. Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor of planning, performance and information systems, presented comparisons of the scores and CCSSE results during Tuesday’s regular board meeting. All but two of the monitored scores have improved since last year, but a comparison of the CCSSE results from the 2013-2014 academic year reveals a steady decline since 2009. There has also been an increase in district-dubbed “high-risk” courses since last year. “A course is considered high risk when there are 100 or more students enrolled in it across the district and it has a pass rate of 70 percent or less,” Cleary said. Student trustee Jacob Wong said: “I see at least a dozen classes on this list where students didn’t realize the skill-set needed to get through these classes. “For instance, a lot of students I talk to don’t realize how much math they should be comfortable
Fall Headcount Enrollment 60,265
Full-time and part-time returning students
59,835
Student Engagement Domain 62.6
58.6
49.5
47.3 51.4
Course completion rates
86.8
89.3 90.9
Productive grade rates
71.0
74.5
Number of “High Risk” courses 2009
59,457
40
62.8
77.9
36
Active and collaborative learning 53.6 Student Effort
51.0
50.3
49.9
50.1 48.7
Academic Challenge
50.9 49.8
47.7
Support for learners
52.6 51.9
51.2
Student/ 2011 2013 Faculty interaction Infographic by Mandy Derfler 50.6 49.0 49.0 Source: Community College Survey of Student Engagement
doing in astronomy,” he said. Astronomy is one of 36 highrisk courses; a third of which are math courses. Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor for academic success, said not knowing is no excuse: “The course catalog and syllabi are available for students to look into before the class begins.” Wong interjected, saying the syllabuses and catalog resources are vague and students don’t know what to expect of classes. “That’s why we need to talk to students,” trustee Gene Sprague said. “If we just talked to them and identified the problems, we could then make a point of solving them.” Chancellor Bruce Leslie said
the new, more intrusive, advising model would prevent those problems. Students are asked to participate in CCSSE, a national student engagement survey, at the end of every semester. Students receive a link to the survey in ACES email. The survey revealed only 49 percent of students are benefiting from faculty interaction and support, and only 47.7 percent of students feel challenged in the classroom. Both sections, according to the presentation, began declining in 2012. Some faculty blame recent initiatives, geared toward student success, for distracting them from students, as quoted in The Ranger’s Sept. 15 story “Student success initiative derived from
See CCSSE, Page 7
“An A.A., if it’s articulated with another two-plus-two program out of a university, (an agreement district colleges have made with four-year instiBy M.J. Callahan tutions to ensure work at this college mcallahan7@student.alamo.edu fits into a degree plan for a bachelor’s Beginning in December, students at degree), then it’s great because you this college will graduate with a generic know exactly what you need to take,” Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Vela continued. degree rather than a degree that speciThe generic A.A. or A.S. degree fies a major or academic area of conallows an adviser and student to select centration, President Robert Vela said courses that are aligned with the degree Sept. 15 in an interview. plans of senior institutions “as opposed The decision was made in the to a set plan that may or may not apply spring in a meeting of the chancellor, to that particular institution,” he said. vice chancellors and “There is a lot of college presidents, he pressure right now This does not lend said. from the state and itself to get two Additionally, stueven from the nationAssociates of Arts. dents will no longer be al level to complete able to receive more faster. They want Robert Vela, President than one Associate of students to get their Arts or Associate of degree and move on Science degrees. into the workforce. If “We have gone from majors to conyour intention is to come in and transcentrations to now basically the push fer, then our goal is to get you in and for Associates of Arts, Associates of out,” Vela said. Science degrees. The advising guides Members of College Council were give a pathway that you can specialize cautioned to avoid using the term in,” Vela said. “concentrations” when He referred to the referring to courses See “Generic 2014-15 college catalog, in an academic area degree expected which lists degree plans because it could affect to happen” in various disciplines as this college’s reaccredi“advising guides.” The tation in which a fiveon Page 7. 2012-13 and 2013-14 year report is due in fall catalogs listed them as 2016. “concentrations.” Vela said the term “advising guide” The issue came up in the Sept. is more appropriate “because it was 9 College Council meeting in which simply a set of courses that could help chairs raised a concern that students you when you transfer to a transfer would transfer without graduating institution.” if they are not required to complete He said the college has never treated courses in a degree plan. the recommended courses in a particuThe center for student informalar academic area as a program. tion, which compiles statistics, is in “We have treated it as a area that the process of compiling a breakdown you could focus on to be able to help of degrees and certificates awarded for you when you transfer,” he said. 2013-14. For a program to prove they are The number of students who were programs for reaffirmation, they need awarded multiple degrees is also being to show they have been assessing their compiled. programs, coming up with learning Associate of Arts and Associate of outcomes and improving the outcomes Science degrees in major concentrafor two years prior to reaccreditation in tions have required students to com2016, he said. plete a college core of 42 to 44 hours Every time a college is up for reacand the remaining hours in the acacreditation, it is a new process and this demic concentration. college has learned from experiences of Students have been allowed to other colleges, he said. receive more than one associate degree “We have to ask ourselves, do we by meeting the core requirement once truly have programs or do we truly have and then requirements for more than advising guides or whatever,” he said. one academic concentration. “It was determined based on everyFine arts Chair Jeff Hunt said at thing we saw, they were never really College Council that students often intended to be programs … (as) defined receive an A.A. in speech and an A.A. by SACSCOC (Southern Association of in theater. colleges and Schools Commission of “This (advising guides) does not Colleges).” lend itself to get two Associates of Arts,” “We are simply making adjustments Vela said. to ensure we are in full compliance “You can get only one Associate with what our accrediting body expects of Arts unless you are going to purfrom us and what we are providing for sue an Associate of Science or Applied students, Vela said. Science,” Vela said. “We will have to get some kind of “We want students to know once level of communication before they see they obtain a degree, they need to begin their transcripts or their diplomas in their journey to transfer,” Vela said. December,” Vela said.
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SAConnected
2 • Sept. 22, 2014
www.theranger.org/calendar
STEMulate Seventh-grader Emilio Vidales, 12, stands on a platform he is rotating, causing him to feel a gyroscopic effect from a spinning tire at the Society of Physics Students information table Wednesday during the STEMulate science showcase in the mall. Vidales said he “wants to be a data scientist” when he grows up. Kena Madrid, vice president of SPS (right), assisted and supervised students on a field trip from the San Antonio School of Inquiry and Creativity with the demonstration. E. David Guel
Writing 101 Student success specialist Charles Crowley familiarizes students in Professor Laurie Coleman’s Freshman Composition 1 class with the writing center Sept. 9 in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall. The writing center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Neven Jones
Roll it out Radio-TV-film sophomore Meagan Halbardier follows instructions while her grandmother Chris Garcia teaches her how to make flour tortillas for the first time Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. “Cooking with Mama” is a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at this college. Read the story online. Ayesa Hinojosa
TODAY TUES WED THUR Season Change: First day of fall. SAC Event: Healthy aging outreach day 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210485-0158.
SPC Film: “Cesar Chavez” 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Turbon Student Center at MLK campus. Also 11 a.m-1 p.m. at Tiger Bistro at SWC. Call 210-486-2100.
SAC Event: Salsa dancing lessons 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128.
SAC Lecture: “Latinos in Film” by Beverly Prado 9:25-10:40 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-486-0134.
SAC Meeting: Society of Women Engineers noon in the MESA Center Room 204 of Chance. Open to all students. Continues Mondays. Call 210-486-0085.
SAC Meeting: Chemistry Club 3:30 p.m. in Room 119 of chemistry and geology. Open to all majors, continues Tuesdays. Email bgonzales179@ student.alamo.edu.
SAC Raffle: Chemistry Club raffle noon-1:30 p.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. in mall. Raffle tickets start at $2. Grand prize dinner and movie gift card. Email bgonzales179@ student.alamo.edu. SAC Workshop: “ATeam Technique” 2 p.m. in the MESA Center Room 204 of Chance. Continues through Thursday. Call 210-486-0085. SPC Event: Author Marcus Guillory’s book tour “Red Now and Laters” 5:30-7 p.m. in Heritage Room of Campus Center. Call 210-486-2135.
SAC Lecture: Hot potato Tuesday “The Lottery: Gambling with our state’s education,” by Rev. Todd Salmi 12:15 p.m. at United Methodist Campus Ministry, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441. SAC Event: Intro to computers 1:30-4:30 p.m. at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Call 210-486-0455. Event: Chess Tuesdays 6-7 p.m. at San Pedro Branch Library, 1315 San Pedro. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210207-9050.
SAC Event: Antojitos Festival featuring “Hecho a Mano” arts and crafts 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin by campus activities board. Call 210-486-0128. PAC Event: Corn toss challenge 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in student center. Call 210-486-3803. Event: Conversation with U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 1.124 of Durango Building at UTSA Downtown Campus, 501 Cesar Chavez Blvd. Free but RSVP required. Visit www.texastribune.org/ events/ or call 512716-8652. SAC Event: Bible study 1:15 p.m. at United Methodist Campus Ministry. Lunch to follow. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210733-1441. SAC Event: Voices de Luna poetry reading 5:30-7:30 p.m. on fourth floor of Moody. Call 210-486-0134.
SAC Event: 30-minute health sessions 8 a.m.noon at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Continues Thursdays. Call 210-486-0455. SAC Event: “Girl Talk” 2 p.m. at United Methodist Campus Ministry. Females-only social group. Continues Thursdays. Call 210733-1441. NLC Event: Opening reception for “Conjunto Photographs” by John Dyer 6:30-8 p.m. in the Gallery, Room 132 of performing arts building. Exhibit open through Oct. 30 by appointment. Call 210486-5646. McNay Film: “Sancho the Bailiff” 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Chiego Lecture Hall, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Wine reception precedes film. Call 210-824-5368.
FRI National Observance: Native American Day. SAC Transfer: Texas A&M San Antonio 9 a.m.4 p.m. in transfer center. Call 210-486-0342. Event: Alamo City Comicon 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Gonzalez Convention Center. Admission $30, 3-day pass $75. Continues Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 210-207-8500. SAC Event: Introduction to Microsoft Word 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Empowerment Center. Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0455. SAMA Film: “Global Lens: Women’s Prison” with discussion by Steven Kellman 7-9 p.m. in auditorium, 200 West Jones. Free with Alamo College ID. Call 210-978-8100 or visit www.samuseum.org.
SAT MON UPCOMING Event: Grown up art day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Inspire Fine Art Center, 200 Queen Anne. Art activities for ages 16 and up. Continues every fourth Saturday. Call 210-829-5592.
SAC Event: GED practice test 8 a.m. at Empowerment Center, 703 Howard. Offered to the first 10 people to sign in. Continues Mondays. Call 210486-0455.
SAMA Event: Meditation in the Japanese Gallery 10:15-11 a.m. Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Continues Saturdays. Call 210-978-8100 or visit www.samuseum. org.
SAC Event: “Barrio Gangs of San Antonio” by Dr. Michael Tapia 9:25-10:40 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-4860134.
SUN SAMA Event: Gallery Talks on museum and special exhibition highlights 11 a.m.-noon, 200 W. Jones. Call 210-978-8100 or visit www.samuseum.org. McNay Event: “Family Art Day: Butterflies and Bugs” 1-5 p.m. in Valero Learning Centers, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Call 210-8245368. SAC Concert: Heart of Texas Band 3 p.m. in McAllister. Call. 210863-7308.
Sept. 30 Event: “Earth Talks: The Poetic Species” with local poet Mobi Warren 6:30-8 p.m. in Swartz Resource Center on second floor at Central Library, 600 Soledad. Call 210-207-2500. Oct. 9 SAC Performance: “Bach at Liepzig,” a comedy directed by Ronnie Watson 7:30 p.m. in theater of McCreless. Admission $5 with Alamo ID. Continues through Oct. 19. Call 210-486-0492. Oct. 17 SAC Event: SACtacular 5-10 p.m. in mall. Open to the public. Call 210-486-0880. Oct. 20 SAC Event: SAC’s Got Talent tryouts 2-4 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin by office of student life. Continues through Tuesday. Call 210-486-0125.
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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Sept. 22, 2014 • 3
Alamo Advise helps students find path The new initiative will have a 350-1 student/adviser ratio. By Pam Paz
ppaz2@student.alamo.edu
Alamo Advise is a new academic and career-advising model the Alamo Colleges will transition to this fall. The vision is to “provide every student with an exemplary, effective and personalized pathway to success through academic and career advising.” Dr. Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for student success, said in an interview this program has been in the works for two years. She said this is what the district is doing to ensure students succeed and progress. “It’s academic and career advising and it builds momentum to completion,” Silva said. “Nothing’s taken by chance and nothing’s optional, everybody’s going through this so that students have the fine opportunity to succeed,” Silva said. Silva, along with Dr. Mike Flores, Palo Alto College president, and Dr. Federico Zaragoza, vice chancellor of economic and workforce development, are leading Alamo Advise, a model within MyMAP. MyMAP’s purpose is to ‘monitor academic progress’ as a roadmap guiding students beginning with connection to the Alamo Colleges and ending with completion of an associate degree or a terminal certificate. Alamo Advise shares the same concepts as MyMAP: connection, entry, progress and completion. “Through collaborative teaching and learning, the advising process empowers our diverse student populations to explore and navigate
their academic and career pathways,” states the Alamo Advise model drafted by the Alamo Community College District. Alamo Advise began as a result of conversations with faculty from this college. More than 350 people across the district were involved in its development, Silva said. Dr. Charlie Nutt, executive director of the National Academic Advising Association and assistant professor in the college of education at Kansas State University, also assisted in developing this model. According to the KSU website, Nutt consults higher education institutions in the areas of academic advising, adviser development and student retention. “He helped us formulate the idea that advising is teaching and advising has learning outcomes and advising, in fact, has a syllabus, because it’s a teaching tool,” Silva said. “It teaches you how to choose and plan your career.” Silva said this is a districtwide effort, though the work is done at the colleges. With the new model, 45 new advisers will be hired to accommodate a 350-1 adviser/student ratio. Currently, the ratio is more than 7001, Silva said. She said the hiring process has already started but didn’t indicate what stage it was in. The 45 new hires include advisers in the advising center, not faculty advisers. Silva said faculty will serve as mentors to students, can assist with the students’ academic program and offer advice for possible employment.
All new and existing advisers will undergo training to become “certified advisers.” The advisers will need to complete three levels of certification. The three levels include one day of introductory training with information on special populations and diversity, two and a half days of information and competency training and the actual certification involves 40 hours of online training and a demonstration, Silva said. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning will provide the training. Silva said they didn’t have it all lined out yet, but each student will be assigned to an adviser and the adviser will track the progress of the student throughout their Alamo College career. Each adviser will do this for 350 students, she said. “It’s individualized, but it’s very deliberate. It should be understood that there’s a shared responsibility between students and advisers,” Silva said. In addition, each of the five Alamo Colleges will hire a student data analyst whose job will be to monitor student progress. Silva said they had advertised the position and are still looking to fill the position. The student data analyst will also keep track of the information needed to measure the success of the new initiative. “We’re not leaving anything to chance,” Silva said. “This is going to put so much full, intentional attention to the students’ success that it can’t do anything but be helpful and move the needle on student completion and graduation.”
Nursing freshman Michaela Cowin prints an essay for her English class Wednesday in the mega lab in Room 502 of Moody. Printing works on a value system. Students must create a GoPrint account first. Neven Jones
Mega Lab provides computers Stations are available to charge phones or tablets. By Ansley Lewis
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students are encouraged to use this college’s Student Mega Lab as a tool for success. Information systems specialist Melinda Lopez, who manages the Mega Lab, is eager to assist. “I am passionate about the lab,” she said. “Students are very lucky to have these resources available to them.” Lopez said the lab serves 300-400 students a day Monday-Thursday and a limited number Fridays. Once students sign in with a Banner ID using the Labtrac system, they have access to three types of computer systems: virtual desktop infrastructures, Dell desktops and Apple iMacs. The virtual desktop infrastructure, or VDI, is connected to a virtual desktop hosted on a remote server where the operating system and preferences are stored.
If students need to save files, Lopez recommends using Google Drive or an Outlook account. The Dell desktops, similar to those in other labs around campus, are available for students who need quick access to a computer and 20 Apple iMacs are available providing access to Adobe’s Creative Cloud. An Adaptive Technology Zone is available to students with disabilities, including five computers with Kurzwiel, to help students improve reading and writing; JAWS to help the visually-impaired and blind with tasks on the computer; Dragon NaturallySpeaking for typing documents using voice recognition; and ZoomText, magnification software. Students can use a GoPrint card and the lab offers computer-integrated technology workshops. Call the Student Mega Lab at 210486-0160, or Lopez at 210-486-0811. For schedules, visit www.alamo.edu/ sac/megacomputerlab/ and click Training Workshops in the sidebar.
Premi
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Local internships provide valuable skills and experience for area students The Ambassador Program Internship matches students with the right job.
gram tries to match interns with the right job. Students have the opportunity to intern with different companies that partner with the city, such as La By Pam Paz Prensa, The San Antonio Scorpions soccer team and ppaz2@student.alamo.edu Univisión. Internships give students the opportunity to receive “We want students to see how attractive it is to live hands-on training in their preferred and work in San Antonio,” Hayes said. field of study. Launched in 2004 by then-councilWe want students In addition, internships give stuman Julián Castro, the program began dents a chance to network with indiwith 60 interns and received the Texas to see how viduals in their respective field. Workforce Innovation Award in 2005. attractive it is to Though some internships are This summer, the program grew to live and work in unpaid, the experience and training 121 interns. San Antonio. students receive is worth more than Hayes said it’s still a competitive Nicte Hayes, monetary value because they gain a process to get accepted into the public information competitive edge over their peers when internship. officer for the City of applying for a job. For information about the San Antonio However, students can find paid Ambassador Internship Program, local internships that won’t require visit www.sanantonio.gov/ them to travel far but will meet their needs. humanservices/educationservices/ambassadorThe Ambassador Internship Program is a paid internprogram.aspx. ship sponsored by the City of San Antonio that “exposes United States Automobile Association also students to professional opportunities and innovative provides paid internship opportunities to stucareer paths,” according to the City of San Antonio webdents. site. USAA offers internships in different areas such as Nicte Hayes, public information officer for the City of banking, auditing, legal and information technology. San Antonio, said in a phone interview Sept. 12 the proIts internships are 10 weeks long and assign on-the-
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job training, according to the USAA website. Though most of USAA’s internships are in San Antonio, they are also offered in Phoenix, Tampa, Fl., and Chesapeake, Va. Visit https://www.usaajobs.com/campus/internships.html for information about internships at USAA. Internships can be found for almost any area of study. For more information on internships in the area, visit www.internmatch.com/c/san-antonio-tx.
Former ed
Six internships provid By Katherine Garcia kgarcia203@alamo.edu
Whether an internship is p it your all, former Ranger edi Garcia said in an interview Se “Always be prepared to w and really be an employee of t pany,” she said. Garcia, who currently wo reporte
Landing that internship Research R Search for potential places to apply R Narrow down options R Become familiar with the places you are applying to Write down requirements, deadlines and qualifications
R
Résumé R Proofread for grammatical errors R Get creative and stand out from the stack of applicants Keep it short, sweet and straight to the point Highlight skills Attend résumé workshops at the Career Services Center Color can work, but too much may back-fire
R R R R
Repeat R Do not give up if you don’t get an offer R Be persistent and continue searching
By Adriana Ruiz Sources: Counselor James Brandenburg and interns Stephanie Gowen and Siham Ahmed
Interview R Dress your age and professionally R Arrive at least 15 minutes early R Sell yourself; present your best qualities and leave a lasting impression Ask a lot of questions and be informed Give yourself enough time; don’t schedule five interviews in one day Ask someone to conduct a mock interview
R R R
Want more internship tips? Read “Professional organizations mentor, network” and “Internships vital regardless of pay, city says” at theranger.org.
Cozy up with a banned book today Library will play matchmaker between readers and controversial tomes. By Juan Anthony Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The librarians might just have your perfect match. Let them fix you up on a date with a past, one with a fair share of run-ins with the naysayers for violations of good taste and decency. Hook-ups with the bad boys and girls of literature are on the third floor of Moody Learning Center Sept. 22-25, coinciding with National Banned Book Week. Celebrate free speech and freedom of choice with literature that was once prohibited, challenged or has been the subject of social debate content deemed graphic. So take advantage of your rights and go on a date with a banned book. Librarian Celita DeArmond first presented Banned Book Blind Date in 2013 for Banned Books Week. Librarians will display books chosen from
the American Library Association’s list of frequently challenged books of the 21st century. Books can be challenged on the basis of material considered “sexually explicit” or containing “offensive language” or deemed “unsuited to any age group.” The list includes “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller. File The American Library Association catalogs reasons books are challenged, including subject matter or content perceived as being anti-ethnic or including offensive language, racism, cultural sensitivity, sexism, occult/Satanism, abortion, nudity or homosexuality. As advertised by the name, the banned books are under wraps, disguising the cover, title and author until check-out. Then, read-
ers will learn their date’s identity. Each morning, librarians will put out 10 books that have been banned or challenged. “We will put out a few each day to kind of give more people a chance to participate in the event,” library assistant Leticia Alvarado said. All the books, at one time or another, have been on the banned book list. Participants in Banned Book Blind Date must be current students or employees with a valid college ID. “Students will also be given a gift bag filled with goodies for a date with the book,” Alvarado said. For more information about Banned Book Blind Date, visit Moody Learning Center or call 210-486-0554. For more information on Banned Book Week, visit www.ala.org. Who knows? Maybe you will find true love.
Top 10 Challenged Books of 2013
Out of 307 challenges as reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence 2. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence 3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group 4. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group 5. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
6. A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl, by Tanya Lee Stone Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit 7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking sexually explicit, unsuited to age group 8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit unsuited to age group 9. Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya Reasons: Occult/Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit 10. Bone (series), by Jeff Smith Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism violence
miere
Sept. 22, 2014 • 5
editor finds internships help ease college debt
provide experience and enhance résumé.
hip is paid, give ger editor Laura view Sept. 11. d to work hard yee of that com-
ntly works as a eporter for the
Victoria Advocate, said internships helped her get a job because the work produced showed she had experience and was willing to work hard. Throughout college, she worked as a sales representative intern at Taylor Publishing Company in 2005; a reporting intern at the Longview News-Journal May to August 2010; a reporting intern
at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times June to August 2011; a design intern at the Working Press newspaper produced at the September 2011 Society of Professional Journalists annual convention in New Orleans; a news intern at the May 2013 Region 8 SPJ conference; and a reporting intern at The Roanoke Times May to December 2013. Garcia was editor of The Ranger in spring and fall 2010 and received
an associate of arts in journalism in 2011 from this college and a bachelor of arts in journalism in 2013 from Texas State University. Garcia worked full time at this college’s newspaper during the week and was a waitress at Chili’s Grill and Bar on weekends to save money during the school year so she could afford to spend summers in internships. She worked at Chili’s from October 2006 to August 2014. She said never had to take out loans until she transferred to Texas State, but her debt was manageable and she took out just what she needed. Garcia said all her internships were paid, some more than others. While at the Corpus
Former editor Laura Garcia stops for a picture while on assignment at South Mountain Lake in Virginia. Courtesy
According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, at least 46 of the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century have been the target of ban attempts.
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1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald 2. The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger 3. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck 4. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee 5. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker 6. Ulysses, by James Joyce 7. Beloved, by Toni Morrison 8. The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding 9. 1984, by George Orwell 11. Lolita, by Vladmir Nabokov 12. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck 15. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller 16. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley 17. Animal Farm, by George Orwell 18. The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway 19. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner 20. A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway 23. Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora
Students should not be afraid to ask friends and family to help out, she said. After spending three to four months sleeping on an air mattress during her internship as a community news reporter and photographer at The Roanoke Times, she accepted an extra mattress and box spring from a neighbor. Garcia said it made no sense to buy a bed because her internship at the paper was only from May to December 2013. “You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help you,” she said. She said students must know basic computer and social media skills. “It’s not acceptable anymore to not know how to use different browsers, or not know how to use a cell phone, or not even be remotely aware of how to use social media,” she said. “That’s an expectation now.” She said students also should be experienced with using Microsoft Word and Excel, adding attachments to emails and using social media websites. “Take advantage of websites like LinkedIn and make sure social media accounts reflect the kind of employee you want to be,” she said. Garcia also said to be prepared to work hard, look the part and dress appropriately. “At every internship I’ve worked at, I’ve learned so much,” she said. “It’s amazing the kind of things you pick up that you can’t get from a class.”
Neale Hurston 24. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison 25. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison 26. Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell 27. Native Son, by Richard Wright 28. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey 29. SlaughterhouseFive, by Kurt Vonnegut 30. For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway 33. The Call of the Wild, by Jack London 36. Go Tell it on the Mountain, by James Baldwin 38. All the King’s Men, by Robert Penn Warren 40. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien 45. The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair 48. Lady Chatterley’s Lover, by D.H. Lawrence 49. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess 50. The Awakening, by Kate Chopin
53. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote 55. The Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie 57. Sophie’s Choice, by William Styron 64. Sons and Lovers, by D.H. Lawrence 66. Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut 67. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles 73. Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs 74. Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh 75. Women in Love, by D.H. Lawrence 80. The Naked and the Dead, by Norman Mailer 84. Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller 88. An American Tragedy, by Theodore Dreiser 97. Rabbit, Run, by John Updike The titles not included may have been banned or challenged, but the Office for Intellectual Freedom has not received any reports on them.
Fi le
Illustration by Ansley Lewis
Christi Caller-Times, she made $8 an hour and worked 40 hours a week at Chili’s Corpus Christi location. “You don’t get rich, but you have to make a little money,” she said about internship pay. Garcia said she missed out on a few social activities because of a lack of funds. She suggested considering both pay and lifestyle choices. “I’ve turned down jobs because I wouldn’t have been able to feed myself,” she said, adding that students should ask themselves this question about considering internship pay: “Would you be happy living that way?” She said although it was difficult at times making ends meet, “the experience was amazing, and you can’t put a dollar amount on that.”
6 • Sept. 22, 2014
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Editor Bleah B. Patterson News Editor M.J. Callahan Sections Editor Adriana Ruiz Calendar Editor Pam Paz Staff Writers Jose Arredondo, Anthony B. Botello, Dorothy P. Braziel, Ana Victoria Cano, Casey Levane Coggins, Ian Coleman, Kyle Cotton, R. Eguia, S.T. Fegins, Marina Garcia, Sarah Garrett, Tim Hernandez, Cynthia Herrera, M. Horta, R.T. Gonzalez, David M. Jimenez, Shawntell Johnson, R. Longoria, Nicole Lopez, Deven Malone, Nikki D. Monson, Richard Montemayor, Nathalie Mora, Landon Penn, Cassandra M. Rodriguez, Juan Anthony Rodriguez, Lily Teran, Amanda K. Tetens, Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photo Editor Daniel Carde Photographers David Guel, Neven Jones Photo Team Milena Arias, Manuel Bautista, Anthony Carrizales, Christopher Hernandez, Javier Hernandez, Ayesa Hinojosa, Charis Kempen, Chelsea Ann Owen, Reynaldo Ruiz, Amy Staggs, Taylor Tribbey Illustrators Ansley Lewis, Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Mandy Derfler Promotions Manager Katherine Garcia ©2014 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (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.
VIEWPOINTS ONLINE Practice good form not political correctness Viewpoint by Bleah B. Patterson
Five-year-old Bleah smiles with her grandmother, Jennifer Sylvester, in Galveston in 2000. Courtesy
Transcripts good tool for transferring Viewpoint by M.J. Callahan
Alexandra Nelipa
Degrees strip individuality Students declare a major so they can focus on a specific field and follow a degree plan that will guide them toward the career they desire. The proposed generic associate degree defeats that purpose. The new initiative means students will receive a generic Associate of Arts or Associate of Science without noting a specific major or concentration. Students spend hours in classes learning and growing into their careers. It would make sense for students to receive a degree that reflects the hard work they have completed, instead of a generic piece of paper. Students are individuals; their degrees should be also. Quotas should be dealt with backstage, not while crossing the stage. The chancellor often refers to back-end operations. Well, let them
stay in the background. If the idea of awarding the same diploma to all students is so important, then why did the district put so much emphasis on having students pick a major? What will be the motivation for students to pick a field of study if they are all to receive copies of the same piece of paper? What will set them apart? The given reasoning for the new initiative is so students can transition into a four-year university without having credits rejected. To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, “An associate is an associate is an associate.” Besides, with the requirements of the associate met, transfer of credit was already stateensured. Maybe instead of messing around with something that doesn’t need changing, district officials could concentrate on any one of a number of real student concerns.
Ignorance costs students Mumbling and district-dubbed “grumbling”-turned-whispers have now become shouts as the district siphons money from classrooms, faculty resources and campuses. It’s not like the money is going to any new features aimed at student success. Instead, students face new expenses such as a campus access fee that doesn’t actually provide any better access to the campus: only long lines in the cafeteria, locked floors in the library and labs lacking tutors even during shortened hours of operation. All these problems stem from a lack of staffing, a situation district officials have the power — and funding — to fix but refuse to resolve. And what are we to interpret from regularly increased tuition rates and the addition of a $10 charge for each copy of a transcript sent to a transfer university? Now, we have to pay $10 to simply submit meningitis records the district is required to maintain? It seems like a little money here and there, nothing that could force a student to leave college, but when we see our faculty also being reduced with retirement incentives, replaced by underpaid adjuncts without time to devote to students, the picture becomes a lot clearer. Trustees have nothing to lose; they don’t
make any money for serving. The chancellor, however, has the power to sway his vice chancellors, who rely on him for contract renewals and raises. These vice chancellors do his bidding in an attempt to sway the college presidents. As we’ve seen, his retribution for opposition is swift. The solution, then, is to make the system’s problems so blatantly obvious to trustees that they can no longer pretend the chancellor’s changes are improvements to this college district. Almost every initiative Leslie has put forth in the name of cost savings has dismantled a system that worked and replaced it with technological nightmares of inefficiency. Certainly nothing that better serves student interests. Only the trustees can hold Leslie accountable, and so far he’s convinced them that the complaints they have heard represent only a tiny fraction of disgruntled employees. That’s just willful ignorance on the part of trustees. As students and staff and faculty, we need to make our needs clear — loud and clear. We won’t simply be a revenue source for district officials. They piously pinch pennies and then collect raises in no way commensurate to those paid at the colleges.
Feature
www.theranger.org/pulse
Sept. 22, 2014 • 7
Student’s West Side coffeehouse pours more than coffee A neighborhood bar transformed into a community scene. By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz168@student.alamo.edu
Bringing a positively caffeinated vibe to his West Side neighborhood while balancing evening classes and working a full-time job is what communication sophomore Gilberto De Hoyos Jr. is serving up. De Hoyos has no prior experience in coffee or business, but that has not stopped him from helping his father start up a coffeehouse focusing on the simple things in life. Just six months ago, the De Hoyos family opened Barrio Barista and Bargains at 3735 Culebra Road, transforming a former bar into a quaint, cozy and eclectic coffeehouse serving everything from barbacoa tacos to vegetarian tamales to smoothies. De Hoyos said he and his father opened the coffeehouse to offer residents a positive place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee without the strains of a standard coffee shop.
De Hoyos said they call themselves a coffeehouse instead of a coffee shop because patrons will be treated like family instead of just another customer. “You won’t be treated like just any person,” De Hoyos said. “We offer students an environment outside of the library. It’s keeping it local in an organic environment.” He said the coffeehouse is small, quiet and personal unlike large coffee shops. “Starbucks is like the McDonald’s of the coffee industry,” De Hoyos said. Valerie Saenz, English junior at St. Mary’s University, said it was her first time at the coffeehouse with her mother, Angie Trinidad. Saenz said she enjoyed the atmosphere because she and her mother could have a quiet and private moment. “(I’m) glad there is a coffeehouse in the neighborhood because you don’t always find them in this area,” Saenz said. De Hoyos said the business will become a permanent fixture in the community. Frequent customer Alvino Medellin said he used to
spend a lot of time at the location back when it was a bar. “I used to be a bartender, and I used to work here,” Medellin said. “I used to spend a lot of time drinking here.” Medellin said he still spends a lot of time at the coffeehouse, volunteering his time while drinking lots of fresh coffee. Balancing school, work and the coffeehouse is not an easy task, De Hoyos said, but focusing and using his time wisely has kept him on track. De Hoyos spends his weekends helping his father in the coffeehouse and said he takes advantage of the slow times to catch up on schoolwork. “It’s my getaway as well,” De Hoyos said. “I bring my schoolwork with me and read for a bit.” De Hoyos said he hopes to transfer to Texas A&M University-San Antonio to work on a degree in communications. Barrio Barista and Bargains is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. MondayWednesday and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The coffeehouse is closed Thursdays.
STUDY By Richard Montemayor
Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, explains the Community College Survey of Student Engagement results at the board meeting Sept. 16 at the Killen Center. The national benchmark for community colleges is 50.0 in the five areas surveyed. Alamo Colleges has declined in the last two biennials. Ian Coleman
Starting a Study Group 101
that will help manage the group better.” Moody Learning Center has study rooms on the second, third and fourth floor, with a To start a study group and get it going on kiosk where students can sign up to reserve the right track, students should run it like a a study room. business, said Dehlia Wallis, coordinator for Librarian Eileen Oliver said student development at this college. the study rooms were part of Wallis said students must set a remodel that took place up ground rules for the over several years and was group. For example, completed in 2012. Rules each group member for using the library study should be responsible rooms are: for an equal amount of • Students need work outside the group at least two people in for a class assignment. order to reserve a room. Each member also • Study rooms are should adopt a role, such Alexandra Nelipa offered on a first-come first as communicator, group served basis and cannot be leader and timekeeper. reserved in advance. “Figuring out the group members’ roles • At least one person from the group must and maintaining a serious state of mind will have an ID card from this college. help students stay on task,” Wallis said. “It’s a • No food or drinks are allowed in the good way to stay on track if you review what study rooms, unless drinks have a lid. you went over the previous time. Hold a study Rooms are available for three hours and group like a business meeting – just without can be renewed if available. the formalities, just with some organization sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Right: Alvino Medellin clears the table as Valerie Saenz, St. Mary’s education junior, and her mother Angie Trinidad enjoy their coffee. Medellin volunteers at the coffee shop everyday. He said it has made a good impact on the West Side community by providing a place for students and church groups to meet. Neven Jones For more information, visit barriobarista.wix.com/barriobarrista.
Generic degree expected to happen
CCSSE from Page 1 self-help book.” The most recent FranklinCoveyrelated initiative adopted by faculty and staff districtwide is the Four Disciplines of Execution, or 4DX. In November 2011, district officials, including the presidents and vice chancellors committee, or PVC, began initiating a relationship with FranklinCovey, its curriculum and trainers, including The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and 4DX. According to the presentation, 7,310 graduations are confirmed for the 2013-2014 academic year, surpassing the district’s wildly important goal, or WIG, associated with the 4DX faculty target of 7,000. Leslie said a new WIG will be configured for the 2015 school year because the colleges achieved this goal one year early.
Gilbert De Hoyos discusses plans for a new exterior shade structure designed by UTSA architecture graduate Fernando Morales Sept. 16 at his West Side coffeehouse, Barrio Barista and Bargains. De Hoyos opened the coffeehouse with his son, communications sophomore Gilberto De Hoyos Jr. Neven Jones
Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor of academic success, is waiting for presidents from the five colleges to decide whether to remove concentrations from associate of arts or associate of science degrees Oct. 3. However, Dr. Robert Vela, president of this college, said he does not expect the PVC to change its decision with two colleges facing reaffirmation and Northeast Lakeview College pursuing accreditation. During an interview Sept. 16, Vela said this college has never officially had the power to provide concentrations. “The SACSCOC (Southern
LIVING
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) has specific rules set in place in order to offer programs,” he said. “We have never had those procedures in place. Our last reaffirmation was 10 years ago and back then, it wasn’t a focus of SACSCOC.” Vela said it wouldn’t be possible to write rules in time for reaffirmation, expected in March 2016. The degree change would eliminate concentrations, or majors, printed on degrees. While faculty spoke against a generic degree at College Council here Sept. 9, Vela said he doesn’t under-
stand why anyone would have a problem with it. “The purpose of an associate degree is not to get a job,” he said. “Most jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. It’s simply a stepping stone to something else.” Vela said this change would prevent students from getting more than one associate degree. “Why would anyone want one, though? What you’re doing is watering down your degree taking just a few extra classes and getting another degree,” he said. “Employers will look at your qualifications not your associate degree.”
Bleah B. Patterson
Light traffic in five-floor garage
Parking in garage easier and safer, student says. By Lily Teran
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
With winter’s wet weather on its way soon, it’s likely the new garage at Tobin Lofts will see more traffic from faculty and students. The garage on North Main Avenue at Evergreen Street opened in March but didn’t attract much business until this fall, parking attendant Rudy Torres said Sept. 10. “The first few weeks were really dead compared to now,” Torres said. “There is definitely more activity now.” The five-floor, 936-space garage opened March 17. The first floor is for store employees while the fourth and fifth floors are designated for Tobin residents. Faculty and student parking is on the second and third floors. The parking garage includes elevators and security cameras. Communications sophomore Vanessa
Neven Jones Pina said she just found out about the parking garage this semester. She used to park on the street so the garage allows her to park quickly and safely. “I use it Mondays and Wednesdays and have no problems,” Pina said. While most are aware of the public-private Tobin Lofts project, nursing freshman Amanda Everding said she had not heard of the new parking garage. Everding parks in designated areas but said she would prefer to park in an actual garage to avoid rushing to find a parking spot. “I have to make sure to arrive at least 20 minutes before my class just to park,” Everding said.
8 • Sept. 22, 2014
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