The Ranger Oct. 23, 2009 by The Ranger

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

Single copies free

Vol. 84 Issue 6

Oct. 23, 2009

Help Wanted Success or a Mess?

SAC HITS TOP 10 LIST 5 HAWAIIAN HIP-HOP 9 GOLFERS HEAD TO NATIONALS 14

People

2 • Oct. 23, 2009

The Ranger Leda Garcia

Outdoor movie: About 700 people watched “Up,” sponsored by student life Oct. 16 in the mall west of Moody. About 250 nonstudents paid $1 admission. Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Zachary Sutherland

Swimming: Sociology sophomore Walter Soliz stays in shape for the Air Force by freestyle swimming during Brad Dudney’s aquatic conditioning class Tuesday in Candler. The pool hours are 1 p.m-4 p.m Monday and Friday and 3 p.m-5 p.m Tuesday and Thursday. Henriette Mutegwaraba

Dancing fun: Counselor Sara V. Samano and Leo Sanchez from San Jose, Calif., dance to the music of Los Texas Wranglers Oct. 16 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Sanchez’s nephew, Julian Fernandez, is the drummer and leader of the band. The event was part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Writing day:

Nursing sophomore Star Ladashe and music sophomore Carlos Lopez color words on a “writing wall” on National Day on Writing sponsored by the writing center Tuesday in the mall. The event also involved Gemini Ink, Student Government Association and the student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The Ranger • Vol. 84 • Issue 6

Oct. 23, 2009 • 3

The Ranger

A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

2 People 4 News

4 Valdez speaks on Hispanic artwork By Lorraine Gomez Photo by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

5 SAC makes top 10 list for online education By Vanessa M. Sanchez

5 Leaky window update By Vanessa M. Sanchez

6 Beauty in workforce

By Sharon Hensley Cover illustration by Tyler K. Cleveland

7 Child care topic at board meeting By Jason B. Hogan Photo by Destiny Mata

8 Premiere

Cheshyre Cheese Club reviews ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ 8 NVC band records despite deployed member By Henry A. Chavarria Photo by Destiny Mata

9 Hawaiian hip-hop artist performs in Loftin today By Laura Garcia Photo by Destiny Mata

9 Frightful events By Mario Anguiano

10 Calendar 11 Blotter 12 Editorials

Cartoon We can’t drink to that Human vs. student resources Letters Put administrators in classroom Finish the job already 14 Pulse Volleyball takes second win of the season

Only online @ theranger.org Slideshows Army ROTC Jesse Borrega People Volunteers provide humanitarian aid to migrants ABC anchor Quiñones speaks to community, shares experiences with students Transfer fair offers opportunity to check out senior colleges

By Emilio Davila Photos by Destiny Mata Contents photo by Daniel Leal

Banners changing to reflect new logo

Golf team qualifies for Las Vegas

Phased retirement plan explained

By Emilio Davila Photo by Leda Garcia

15 Team dances into history By Laura Garcia

16 Backpage Tomorrow’s shoes today

San Antonio actor stresses overcoming obstacles Editorial What else is likely to go wrong?

By Henry A. Chavarria Photos by Zachary Sutherland

www.theranger.org

The Ranger

4 • Oct. 23, 2009 Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Artist Vincent Valdez lectures Oct. 16 in McAllister as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The native San Antonian is based in Los Angeles.

Valdez describes influences behind artwork Artist explores different styles and mediums to express meaning behind his work. By Lorraine Gomez Los Angeles artist Vincent Valdez said some of the conflicts depicted in his art are reflections of the constant struggles in life faced by all people regardless of background. Valdez, formerly of San Antonio, spoke Oct. 16 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. His presentation was part of Hispanic Heritage Month. He discussed the drawing, “Get Your Guard Up, Son; Now Get Out There and Fight” from his collection “Stations” and described how he chooses his artistic style for certain pieces. Valdez said he paints a lot of his work from a worm’s-eye perspective to help viewers feel as if they are looking up to the individuals in the paintings and drawings. In the “Stations” collection, Valdez said, he created portraits of his family members, while connecting his life and feelings with his work. Another piece he described was “El Chavez Ravine,” based on the history of a residential

“A lot of people are probably going to think, ‘Oh, he’s going to stop.’ No, that’s not going to happen at all. I will never abandon my drawings or paintings.” Vincent Valdez Los Angeles artist

area in Los Angeles that was demolished to create space for Dodger Stadium. Valdez said he was contacted by musician Ry Cooder and asked to create a painting about the event, which almost no one knew about outside Los Angeles, so Valdez accepted the challenge. The artist used a 1953 Chevy ice cream truck to reflect his feelings about the past as well as recent problems. In the truck painting, people are running from a bulldozer, which Valdez said were the people running from the 9/11 attacks. Dodger Stadium is shown as a place where people enjoy a baseball game yet have no idea how neighborhood residents lost their homes for the stadium to be built.

“I have never in my life heard of this artist or seen his work until now, and his work is just amazing,” mortuary science sophomore Sammy Sanchez said. Valdez also showed “Burn,” his first film from a new work he is doing called “Love Today, Cry Mañana.” The film was shot from the balcony of his apartment, showing a pitch-black sky over the city of Los Angeles with various people appearing and disappearing through the glass while fireworks explode with life and then die out against the skyline. “To me, it seems like there’s this constant war in the distance, like we are always in battle over everything, and there’s nothing we can do about it, while the people coming and going show how life goes on,” local resident Juanita Vincent said Oct. 16 after the artist’s presentation. Although Valdez now is making short films, that doesn’t mean he will just throw away his pallet and leave his easel, he said. “A lot of people are probably going to think, ‘Oh, he’s going to stop.’ No, that’s not going to happen at all. I will never abandon my drawings or paintings.”

The Ranger

Oct. 23, 2009 • 5

Shrunken gaskets cause leaks By Vanessa M. Sanchez Rubber gaskets that shrank were the cause of the academic instruction center’s leaking windows Oct. 12, which led to minor flooding in the building. Rain Thursday also created puddles. These gaskets, which are used to make an object watertight, are normally made from metal or rubber. The rubber ones used for the center, apparently contracted, David Ortega, facilities superintendent, said Wednesday in a phone interview. “I don’t know if they (the construction company) stretched it when they put it in,” he said. That combined with the heat

may have led to the shrinkage that left a “1-inch to 2-inch opening.” Before it first opened, the center was inspected, including the windows and gaskets, “but for some reason it shrank,” Ortega said. When asked if the shrinking was normal, Ortega replied, “I’d say no, it’s not typical and that’s why the contractor was called back in and is making that repair under warranty.” However, a date has not been scheduled for a representative of Vaughn Construction, the company that built the academic instruction center and currently is renovating Nail Technical Center to fix the problem. Ortega said the maintenance

department will be periodically inspecting to make certain the problem does not recur. Ortega said he was e-mailing the construction company for about two weeks, and because they are on campus, it may make it easier for them to work on the repairs. Ortega said he “left a message with Vaughn Construction and the reply that they gave me via e-mail was that they were going to be testing the windows this weekend to isolate the problems.” He said the problem should be fixed by Oct. 30. Ortega said he would personally monitor the windows to see when the gaskets are replaced or repaired.

SAC Online ranks 9th in nation By Vanessa M. Sanchez Technical knowledge, server capacity and the variety of services available online led to this college’s high ranking in the Digital Community College Survey at the Conference on Information Technology, Helen Torres, distance education director, said at the Academic Council meeting Oct. 13. This college tied for ninth place in performance of distance education at the convention Oct. 11 in Detroit, Torres said. “I’m very, very happy about this,” she said. Judging is on what the college offers students online. Torres said this college placed in the top 10 because of the work of various departments, such as the library offering e-books, the admission and records office allowing students to pay online, and the bookstore allowing the purchase of textbooks online without shipping fees. This college competed against other community colleges nationwide in the category of “large colleges,” which consists of colleges with a student population of at

least 7,500. This college tied with Scottsdale Community College from Scottsdale, Ariz. First place went to Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pa. The survey is conducted by the Center for Digital Education and Coverage Magazine. “The purpose of the survey is to recognize and showcase community colleges that are providing a high level of service to their faculty, students and communities through information technology,” according to the magazine’s Web site at http://www. convergemag.com/awards/digital-community-colleges/Call-forEntries-2009-Digital-CommunityCollege-Survey.html. This college received a digital icon to place on the SAC Online Web page and a plaque. The college was featured in an ad in Newsweek Oct. 19.

She said this college began online course offerings in 1996 with the help of Dr. Robert Zeigler, the college’s president who was coordinator of the telecourse program at the time. “He was forward t h i n k i n g ,” Torres said. “San Antonio C o l l e g e online can truly be seen as a global provider for education.” Zeigler said in a phone interview Wednesday morning, “Back in ’96, two people came to me and Dean Ruben Flores, and they had this idea that we ought to offer classes online.” Those two people were political science Professor Jim Perkins and Lecturer Michael Berrier. “It has just taken off,” Zeigler said. “I think in ’96 we started with two courses and 19 or 20 students.” Now the college even offers blended classes that offer both online and classroom components.

Beauty comes with advantages By Sharon Hensley Admit it; you’ve probably done it yourself. First impressions are often based on a person’s looks. There are federal laws to prohibit many forms of discrimination and workers have legal recourse when employers violate these laws. Possibly the subtlest, and therefore, the most widespread form of discrimination, is not governed. Appearance. In America, people who are thin and fit the standard of beauty are typically viewed positively while people who are overweight and less attractive are viewed more negatively. Even though this is reinforced daily by mass media, job hunters can use this knowledge to their advantage. A quality interview may compensate for any disadvantages in appearance, experts say. A study published in March 2009 in the International Journal of Selection and Assessment Volume 17(1), and obtained in a PsycINFO Database Record Abstract, found that although attractiveness impacts employment suitability ratings, general mental ability and conscientiousness are valued more. Hiring managers placed more emphasis on an individual’s attractiveness when evaluating a position with high customer contact. Business Chair Val Calvert said when appearance is considered, it is subjective. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Calvert said. “If you look at some of the CEOs

CONTINUED ON 6

The Ranger

6 • Oct. 23, 2009

Beauty: Quality of interview vital Continued from 5 executive officers) in some of the major corporations, they do not necessarily fit the standard of beauty.” Calvert said interviewers sum up whether they will hire an applicant within the first 10 seconds. “First impressions are lasting; however, if you can convince them that you’re the person they’re looking for, you will be highly considered for that job,” she said. Avoid clothing that is too short, tight or low cut, Calvert said. “You send off a different type of signal and you don’t want to do that.” She said women can wear pants once they have been hired but not before, and she added that applicants should have a good one-page résumé targeted to the job. Each of the Alamo Colleges has a career services office offering help

in résumé writing and interview preparation. Javier Barron, career services program specialist at this college, said looks may work to get a potential employers’ attention but won’t get an applicant hired. Résumé content is important, he said, because employers need to see an applicant is qualified and can do something for them. Barron said to have a positive attitude and a smile. “One rule of thumb is to look at how they dress in their workplace and take it up one notch from there,” he said. Psychology Chair Thomas E. Billimek said overall, personal attractiveness does matter to employers, especially where they will see customers in person. Billimek said employers con-

sider which applicant will increase revenue by being attractive to customers. He said applicants who dress provocatively lack credibility with employers, and employers don’t want to hire people who do not fit the company image. “Tattoos are very popular but can still be a problem for a more conservative company,” Bilimek said. Business management sophomore Joel Baumgartner, 26, said at 16, he was about 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighed about 450 pounds when he and a friend applied for a job at a local movie theater. He said five people applied at the same time, and they were given a group interview. “Three of the people were young, thin and attractive, and me and my friend were overweight.”

The three thin people were hired so he set out to prove discrimination. Baumgartner said he had 18 friends apply for a job at the theater over the next two weeks; all but four were overweight. “Four people out of the group were hired, and it was the four skinny people,” he said. “I asked one of them to try to get close to the manager and find out about his hiring preferences.” Baumgartner said the friend later quoted the manager as having said he was in no way interested in hiring any fat people. “We called the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and filed a complaint,” he said. Baumgartner said the investigation took about two months and the manager was fired as a result.

Oct. 23, 2009 • 7

The Ranger

Board approves child care center rate increase By Jason B. Hogan A general increase in rates at the three child care centers for the Alamo Community College District — at this college, Palo Alto and St. Philip’s colleges — was approved by the board of trustees Tuesday at the regular monthly meeting. But board members warned college presidents Dr. Robert Zeigler of this college, Dr. Adena Losten of St. Philip’s and Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzman of Palo Alto that the terms of agreement on rates and other fees should fall under their direction, along with each center’s director. Trustees said faculty and staff have complained about district interference in academic and college-specific programs, so child care center rates also should be left to their discretion: The board

should worry about other district- college presidents to operate. wide financial concerns. “We’re trying to get a methodJames Rindfuss, District 9, said ology before the trustees that will child care center rates remain a self-correct or self-adjust in future troubling issue for him. years,” McLaughlin said. “When these programs came to The idea is to retain students’ the board, it was presented in such rates at 85 percent of locally a manner we thought that they accredited child care centers and were going to take 100 percent for faccare of themselves,” ulty, staff and local Rindfuss said. residents. Ten years ago, the Overall, students programs were set and nonstudents in up to be competitive all three programs with the market, and will be charged $149 www.theranger.org it was not supposed per week beginGo online to read full board story to cost the district, ning Jan. 1. The plan but that has not hapis supposed to yield pened. $300,000 to $400,000 in additional James McLaughlin, vice chan- revenue for the district. cellor for finance and adminisMcLaughlin said the maximum tration, said raising rates sooner weekly increase will be $18, and will make the transition easier for the minimum is $9. No weekly families, child care directors and rate will increase beyond $167 in

January. There are 166 children enrolled in the three child care centers, McLaughlin said. Of the total, 141 are children of students and 25 are children of nonstudents: 13 children from faculty and staff, and 12 from the community. Each college must find additional external funding as another stipulation of board approval. McLaughlin and his staff expect a higher rate to qualify students for more state and local funding, including Pell and supplemental educational opportunity grants. Currently, 123 children of students receive financial aid, and 135 receive some form of subsidy. After rate changes are made, McLaughlin said some students will pay nothing because of financial aid or subsidies. No student will pay more than $90 per week.

Premie

8 • The Ranger

Local indie band adds ‘Daytes’ to schedule

Photo Illustration by Destiny M

By Henry Chavarria

S Book Review In what has been called her most adored work, Jane Austen shared with us a love story that defied both class and circumstance; first published in 1813, “Pride And Prejudice” tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet coming of age and coming to terms with the fact that perhaps she does not know herself quite as well as she imagined. For all her befuddled, stumbling over her own feelings in regard to her somewhat socially inept relatives, the gravity of her rejection of the pompous Mr. Collins, or the much rebuffed realization of her true feelings for the aloof Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth has managed to become a cultural icon. The story resonates with readers today in much the same way it must have in the early 1800s. Now, take this same culturally rich storyline and add to it a macabre splash of fun. Enter Seth Grahame-Smith, a fan of the classics with an eye for horror, this producerturned-author is breathing new life into this classic feminist novel with a bizarre, yet captivating twist of screams and laughter. “Pride And Prejudice And Zombies,” rife with “unmentionables” — or “the sorry stricken” but very infrequently “zombies” — shambling about the countryside, it’s up to Elizabeth and her equally well-trained sisters to thin the horde. So while navigating the minefield of her family life, dispatching the undead left, right and center, and besting any Ninjas who happen to come her way, Elizabeth somehow found the time and energy to fall madly and deeply in love despite seemingly insurmountable odds. In my opinion, this novel has all the charm and personality that made the original an instant success, plus quite a bit of the flair that is sure to keep readers laughing and shrieking for years to come. Kristina Babbitt Cheshyre Cheese Club Vice President

an Antonio progressivemath-rock group, Daytes, is adding finishing touches to a Nov. 21 release, “Sarah and Octopus.” The trio is music sophomore Mark Anthony Esquivel of Northwest Vista College on lead vocals and guitar, music marketing junior Mason Griffin Macias of Northwest Vista and University of Texas at San Antonio on drums and Senior Airman Ian “Mac” McIntosh of the U.S. Air Force on bass guitar. Despite McIntosh leaving near their one-year anniversary last May to serve abroad, Macias and Esquivel continued to play shows and started recording the new album at the UTSA-Downtown studio three months ago. When McIntosh returned in September, he began laying down his tracks for the full-length album. “I just jumped right in,” McIntosh said. “The drums and guitar tracks were already recorded.” He said the most difficult part of the recording was a lack of familiarity with some of the songs. The group’s focus on progressive-math rock, a mathematically inspired form that deviates from standard rock 4/4 time to 7/5 or 5/4 time, made his job more complex. “Mason and Anthony grew significantly on their instruments during the time I was gone and added some parts, but I have worked really hard and am up to speed now,” McIntosh said. “Sarah and Octopus,” which was the band’s previous name, is going to have four new songs and six rerecorded versions of their previous songs. “It feels like they all are new songs; the old ones are different and have evolved into new ones,”

Daytes, a local indie rock and experimental band, includes Senior Airman Ian “M McIntosh, Northwest Vista sophomore Mark Anthony Esquivel and UTSA student Mas Griffin Macias. They will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 on KSYM.

McIntosh said. The trio said their last recordings sounded great, but they did not like its commercial sound heard in most modern-rock recordings. Macias said, “We felt that our earlier recordings didn’t capture our live sound. They lacked a lot of elements you could only capture at a live show.” “So we tried our best to capture that unique sound and feeling by doing the recording ourselves,” Esquivel said. The band made sure to treat the recording like every song was being played at a live show. “There was no holding back,”

McIntosh said. The band said the new albu will be tighter, more technical a have better song structures than EP the group released in March. “We are much in tune with ea other,” McIntosh said, “ We emph sized on recording the details o fans hear when we play live.” Daytes is scheduled to perfo live at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 on KSYM 9 FM and will premiere the new albu at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 on KUIW.org. McIntosh’s comeback and C release show will be at 9 p.m. N 21 at the 1011 Club, 1011 Ave. B. For information, visit myspa com/daytes.

emiere

estiny Mata

Ian “Mac” ent Mason

w album nical and s than an March. with each e emphaetails our e.” perform SYM 90.1 ew album org. and CD p.m. Nov. Ave. B. myspace.

Oct. 23, 2009 • 9

Sean City gives up island for hip-hop dreams By Laura Garcia

Destiny Mata

DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He also was inspired when he was younger by watching Busta Rhymes on usic business freshman MTV. Chaun Laa-oili tattooed “Music was one thing that was always there for me,” “strive for the best” in he said. Polynesian across his Laa-oili recalls rapping his own songs along with a chest. ukulele, a small Hawaiian guitar, when he was 12 years The Honolulu native hopes to achieve his old. He said most of the mainstream music on the island best through hip-hop music. was Hawaiian or reggae and he had little opportunity. His stage name is Sean City, and he is about He played shows with a couple of friends but grew to land his “first paid gig on the mainland.” tired of letdowns and indie labels making false promises. He was hired to perform in the Loftin Student After trying to work his way into the local music Center from 11 a.m. -11:45 a.m. today. scene, he eventually decided that to really break into He decided to attend this college after a the hip-hop music industry, he would have to leave his challenging life in Honolulu. hometown. He reconnected with his foster family, and Laa-oili went through the foster care system they offered to help him get his life back on track here in moving in and out of about 10 homes while livTexas. His foster father, stationed in San Antonio, helped ing on the island. Finally, he was adopted into him find this college’s music business program. an Army family as a teenager. They were transToday, the 23-year-old still writes all of his own songs, ferred to another city, and he went along until Music business freshman Chaun Laa-oili will produces beats and lays down tracks at home including he got homesick and decided to move back to be performing from 11 a.m to 11:45 a.m. a song he wrote while in Hawaii called “Let’s Get Away.” Hawaii with his sister. today in Loftin. Most of his songs are about relationships, but he tries He became involved with illegal substances to rap and sing about topics that are more realistic, calland experienced financial hardships, including his music style “rapping and smooth R&B.” For more information, go ing the deaths of both biological parents. His goal is to work hard and try to get discovered. He to www.myspace.com/ “I was just wasting away,” he said. “That was says he’s just waiting for his chance but isn’t ruling out seancity86. one time when music wasn’t that important.” working for a record label and moving his way up. For more than 11 years, Laa-oili has gravi“I had to work for everything I had,” he said. “You’ve tated toward music with early influences by his mother’s favorites Run got to try to do it yourself.”

Halloween festivities include concert, costumes Concert poster

By Mario Anguiano Three events are scheduled on campus to get people in the mood for Halloween. The music department will present a variety of classical and popular Halloween music during a performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. Faculty will be in costume, and audience members also are encouraged to attend in costume to add to the Halloween festivities. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to win a pumpkin piñata. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students with college ID. Tickets will be sold as doors open and also are available in advance from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the music department in Room 105 of McAllister. All proceeds will benefit music scholarships at this college.

For more information, contact the music department at 486-0255. The office of student life will present a costume contest at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. Prizes will be offered in three categories: scariest costume, most original for men and most original for women.

Students at this college are eligible for prizes, which include iPod Shuffles. Refreshments will be provided, and the Mike Canales Versatile Band will perform. The event is made possible through the student activity fee. For more information, contact the office of student life at 486-0125. “The Bloody Ball at Dewey Mansion,” a haunted house sponsored by Onstage Drama Club and the office of student life, runs from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. today through Sunday in Loftin. More than 27 actors perform during the seven-minute walk-through, set inside a variety of sets resembling rooms in a mansion, filled with scary creatures and scenes. The haunted house is open to the public; admission is $5 per person. Students at this college are admitted free with ID, and no one under 6 will be admitted. For more information, call 486-0125 or 486-0494.

10 • Oct. 23, 2009 For coverage in Calendar, call 486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

mccrary@alamo.edu by 5 p.m. Call 4860125.

Today

LULAC Event: 64th annual Feria de las Flores Royal Coronation 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m. at La Villita Assembly Building, 401 Villita. Call 402-9001.

SAC Event: Excellence in Writing award ceremony 11 a.m. in Koehler sponsored by the writing center. Call 486-1436. SAC Event: Video games 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Cyber Café of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Field Trip: Astronomy Club 2 p.m. tour at Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road. Call 486-0063. SAC Deadline: Student video applications for 8-in-8 “Boot Camp” and film festival, continues through 5 p.m. Monday, in Room 256 of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Deadline: Student Government Association essay contest continues through Nov. 6. E-mail to delmore-

The Ranger

Calendar Monday SAC Event: Blood drive 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. outside Candler through Thursday. Call 486-0125.

Saturday

SAC Event: United Methodist Student Movement worship services 11 a.m.-noon in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 733-1441.

SAC Workshop: “Study Skills for Overcoming Math Fear and Failure” 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 712 of Moody. $35. Call 486-0183. SAC Event: Women 4 Women relationship retreat 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in Room 105 of the empowerment center. Call 486-0455.

www.theranger.org Complete calendar online.

SAC Meeting: Mexican-American Engineers and Scientists 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Call 486-0125.

Loftin. Call 486-1233. Wednesday SAC Event: United Methodist Campus Ministry’s domestic violence awareness day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 486-0760. SAC Event: Fifth annual student life fashion show noon-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125. SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club noon-1 p.m. in Room 101 of nursing education. Call 486-0125.

Tuesday

Sunday

SAC Lecture: “Hot Potato” 12:15 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 733-1441.

McNay Event: “Brundibar” 2 p.m. in Chiego. Call 824-5368.

SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ noon-1 p.m. in the craft room of

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: South West Campus PAC: Palo Alto College

Blotter

The Ranger

Oct. 23, 2009 • 11 Photos by Leda Garcia

Army ready:

Above, Sgt. Monica Notzon, sophomore and lifeguard, supervises UTSA cadet Kerri Preston. Left, Warren Lewis, senior cadet and ROTC instructor at UTSA, prepares communications sophomore William Faucher for a drill that will prepare him for the combat water survival test Tuesday in Chisholm Hall at UTSA. This test is to improve soldiers’ confidence in the water.

CONTACT INFO Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189

SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE Oct. 10 - An individual reported four males removing a trash container from a residence. Males located. Oct. 11 - An individual reported a broken district key. Oct. 12 - An individual reported a disruptive student in Fletcher. An individual reported a female and male arguing in a parking lot. Oct. 13 - An individual reported theft of a district chair.

An individual reported receiving unwanted text messages on her cell phone. An individual reported a vehicle leaking fluids. An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle because of an accident. A criminal trespass warning was issued to a male in the parking garage. Oct. 14 - An individual reported a male speaking loudly in Chance. An individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized in a parking lot. An individual reported marijuana odor in the parking lot. An individual reported hearing loud noises while working in McCreless.

Biology sophomore Bianca Ramirez jumps in the water fully equipped as part of a drill that will prepare her for the combat water survival test Tuesday. Cadets must jump in the water with their rifles.

PALO ALTO COLLEGE Oct. 12 - An individual reported a female having a seizure. EMS treated her. Oct. 13 - An individual reported a lost district key in the student center. Oct. 14 - An individual reported a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot.

vehicle being burglarized in the parking lot. Oct. 13 - An individual reported a robbery in the bookstore of the campus center. Investigation ongoing. Oct. 14 - An individual reported being stung by a bee in a parking lot. NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE

ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE Oct. 10 - An individual reported found property in the science building. Item placed in property locker. Oct. 12 - An individual reported missing personal property in the health center. Property recovered by campus police.

Oct. 12 - An individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized. An individual reported a verbal disturbance over loud music in Cypress.

An individual reported graffiti in a men’s restroom in Norris. An individual reported a personal

www.theranger.org Complete blotter online.

12 • Oct. 23, 2009

Editorial

The Ranger Juan Carlos Campos

The Ranger

Editor Jason B. Hogan Managing Editor Vanessa M. Sanchez Calendar Editor Henry A. Chavarria Photo Editor Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Photographers Leda Garcia and Destiny Mata Photo Team Sarah Day, Daniel Leal, Henriette Mutegwaraba, Zachary Sutherland Production Manager Laura Garcia Newsroom Assistant Zahra Farah Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Staff Writers Mario Anguiano, Tyler K. Cleveland, Emilio Davila, Lorraine Gomez, Sharon Hensley, Steven L. Moya, Trey Randolph Web Editor/Circulation Regis L. Roberts

The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations. News contributions accepted by telephone (486-1773), by fax (486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request (486-1765). The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, the Texas Community College Journalism Association and the Associated Press. 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 doublespaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 486-1789. Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s printed name, classification, major, Social Security number and telephone number. For more information, call 486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Because of high production costs, members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue. 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.

The Ranger

Opinion

We can’t drink to that The district is inviting the public Nov. 6 to Pearl Stable to celebrate completion of bond projects and recognize Bond Oversight Committee members. Pearl Stable on the historic Pearl Brewery looks like it could be a venue for the Oscars. Let’s get this straight: We’re renting a beautiful new venue that we don’t own to show off the beautiful new buildings we just built? Why not invite the public to come see what their $450 million built? (Maybe the chancellor and trustees don’t want anyone to see the leaky windows.) We could better use the $10,000 party fund for student services, printer paper, classroom equipment or lab supplies. We could have used the money the trustees spent on San Francisco, too. With all the conferences they are allowed to attend each year, you

would think they might have learned a thing or two. That money could be better spent restoring travel funding for faculty and students to attend conventions, present at conferences or enter competitions. Ten thousand dollars here, $7,500 there; $45,000 for the chancellor’s bonus; $850,000 in employee services raises and expansion. It adds up quickly. And it all represents something the colleges have had to cut. Perhaps the next convention will offer a session on getting a clue about sensible budgeting in higher education. In the meantime, go ahead and enjoy yourselves at the celebration. And remember to tip well because the bartenders are most likely students who have to work extra hours instead of spending that time studying.

Human vs. student resources The employee services department, returning to being called human resources, has received $857,389.52 in raises over five years, and has since then added 19 employees. This averages to an increase of $171,477.90 per year. And here at the college level, we were told the Alamo Community College District was cutting back on personnel to cope with a budget shortfall. Silly us. Must be just for the colleges. The latest addition to the employee services’ lineup is a resources generalist to manage accounts and a district recruiter. Are you kidding? When people are lining up for unemployment benefits and face fierce competition for the few available jobs, who needs a recruiter? As reported by The Ranger Oct. 16, James McLaughlin, vice chancellor

for finance and administration, said the budget was expanded $200,000plus since last year in employee services alone. This is the money that should be put to use at the college level, you know, where our students are enrolled. The students pony up the major portion of the district’s revenue so it only seems smart for those deciding on hiring, to hire at the colleges to serve those students. Students have a higher chance of success with tutors and other support personnel, and, therefore, a higher graduation rate. After all, this is a college. That’s what we do here. Expanding and raising salaries in employee services does not directly impact students. We’re not sure that new titles even directly impact employees.

Oct. 23, 2009 • 13

Letters Put administrators in classroom Editor: When I was in business school, the “case study” method was widely used. One of my favorites came from the airline industry; in those days, the airlines were growing and profitable. The CEO of a major airline had a unique method for staffing airport counter jobs when regulars were on vacation: the positions were manned by senior managers, VPs and the like. Imagine, bonus and stock option guys hollering “next” and straining over big suitcases. The CEO’s thinking was razor sharp: I want my executives to know the customer from real, face-to-face contact, not from cold data delivered to some carpeted office, far from the flight line. Now I have a version of this case study for the Alamo Colleges: each senior administrator — let’s say deans and up — should be required to teach a freshman course every so many years. District administrators most of all! Those whose academic specialty doesn’t accommodate can teach MATH 0300: They can handle it. Our administrators can never have too much information about students; face-to-face in the classroom is a unique and indispensable source. Thomas C. Friday Business Professor

Finish the job already Editor: Crews came in last month to install electronic screens and a projector to turn Room 106 of McCreless Hall into a smart screen, then left without connecting the power or installing new locks to protect the hefty investment. I can only assume that the school has already purchased the kiosks that include writing tablets and computers. The lack of these tools is starting to hamper our learning. Professor Gerald Busald, in my intro to statistics class, has an old style transparency projector and a calculator screen that he projects above the board. Citizens have been taxed and the money collected, yet the only difference we see is Mr. Busald has to adjust the overhead so it isn’t cut off by the nonfunctioning electric screen. Why has it taken a month to get crews who seem to be everywhere here on campus remodeling other sites to finish a job half finished? Wood Johnson Liberal Arts Sophomore

Pulse

14 • Oct. 23, 2009

Destiny Mata

Women’s volleyball nets second win By Emilio Davila The Lady Rangers volleyball team was triumphant Oct. 15 when they defeated the Victoria College Pirates 3-1 in a match in Candler Physical Education Center before a crowd of nearly 70. It was the Lady Rangers’ second win in as many matches this season. After falling behind in the first game, the Lady Rangers rallied and went on a 9-1 scoring streak, ultimately defeating Victoria College 25-20 in the first game. The Lady Rangers won the second game handily, driving home a powerful kill to end it 25-17. The closest game of the night was the third, in which Victoria College made an impressive showing, begin-

ning with a 14-7 spree. The Lady Rangers came within one point of tying late in the game but could not prevent Victoria College from winning 25-22. Coach Marissa Martinez watched her team battle close to the net during the heated fourth contest. The game was tied 20-20 with the Pirates looking to stay alive and extend the match into a fifth game before the Lady Rangers finished the game 25-21. Throughout the match, the Lady Rangers showed consistent dominance with their blocking ability and a superior speed that allowed their 4-2 formations to be most effective, Martinez said. The next game is 7 p.m. Thursday at Northwest Vista.

The Ranger

Kinesiology sophomore Jasmine Faison bumps the ball during a game against Victoria College Oct. 15 in Candler. The match was the Lady Rangers’ second win of the season.

New college golf team makes strong initial showings Leda Garcia

By Emilio Davila All six members of the college golf team have qualified to compete in the eighth annual National Collegiate Golf Championship in November in Las Vegas. The team will compete in the National IntramuralRecreation Sports Association national championships Nov. 6-8 at the Silverstone Golf Course in Las Vegas. Angela Olivarri is coach of the golf team. This is the first year for a golf team at this college. The team includes one woman and five men. Engineering freshman Lauren

Douglas and liberal arts freshman John Starr were the first golf team members to qualify. Each earned a score of 71 and tied for first place in the team’s first tournament Sept. 25 at the University of Texas at Tyler. Four other golfers qualified to play in Las Vegas at the Kingwood Tour Oct. 10: fire science freshman Rogelio Camarillo, human services freshman David Cano, English sophomore Brad Jones and criminal justice sophomore Joel Zulaica. Olivarri and her team of golfers have been making frequent use of the public driving range north of Basse Road on

San Pedro Avenue as they prepare for their challengers. During a practice session Sept. 21, Olivarri oversaw her players as they finished off a bucket of balls. Teeing off is one of the specific skills on which her team is working. San Antonio can be seen as a supportive city for golf, she said. “Many people are excited about SAC having a golf team.” As a social tool, golf is widely used by many businesses because of its relatively peaceful setting and relaxed atmosphere. “You get to meet many people,” Douglas said.

English sophomore Brad Jones putts at a practice hole Oct. 15 at the San Pedro Golf Course and Driving Range.

Oct. 23, 2009 • 15

The Ranger

Dancers make history By Laura Garcia This college has seen cheerleaders, drill teams and beauty queens, and now a dance team. Eleven young women survived the first couple of months, practicing and performing for at least six hours a week rain or shine. Student life requires them to take a minimum of nine credit hours of classes, maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and study four hours a week. The Code Red dance team will be limited to 20 members each semester. All of the team members except one are freshmen and danced at their high schools. One hurdle they didn’t face in high school: practicing on uneven ground, their chosen workout area west of Candler Physical Education Center. “I feel like that makes us better,” criminal justice freshman Iris Solis said. Heather Arrambide, a nursing freshman enrolled in 12 hours of classes, said she is used to staying late practicing and being sore. She was a lieutenant colonel on Warren High School’s dance team and has experience in ballet, jazz, tap and folklorico. She’s been dancing since she was 8. Most have a similar story, dancing since they were in elementary school or earlier and are grateful

for the opportunity to continue dancing in college. Coach Ruben Torres said he was hired on the spot during his interview. He has cheer experience at University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and has taken teams to competitions of Universal Cheerleaders Association and National Cheerleaders Association. Torres credits his sister Ivania DeLeon, a Northwest Vista College sophomore, with helping design choreography. “We plan to go to all of the games and get them out there. These girls are making history,” Torres said. He and the team agreed that they are “all about the trophy” and can’t wait to compete at the Danceline Hill Country Classic Dance/Drill Team Championship March 6 in Fredericksburg. “We all want this really bad. It’s everyone’s passion,” education sophomore Darline Olivarez said. “We push each other and motivate each other.” Many people don’t know that this college has a dance team, Torres said during an interview Tuesday, and some still aren’t aware that the college has sports. Their next performance is Wednesday during the halftime of the men’s basketball game at 7:30 p.m. against Southwest Texas Junior College in Candler.

The Ranger

16 • Oct. 23, 2009

Tomorrow’s shoes today Philanthropist talks about the economic structure of his one-for-one business.

Photos by Zachary Sutherland

By Henry A. Chavarria

raveling in Argentina inspired a native Texan to launch a socially responsible shoe company. On Oct. 14, more than 500 students, faculty and members of the community gathered in the arena of the Bill Greeley Alumni Athletics and Convocation Center at St. Mary’s University to hear TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie talk about his “one-for-one” movement. “TOMS stands for a better tomorrow,” Mycoskie said. “Buy today and give a pair tomorrow.” He spoke about the economic model of his business based in Santa Monica, Calif., and what it teaches the world about social responsibility. TOMS’ one-for-one business model makes each customer a benefactor, which allowed the company to become sustainable, rather than depending on fundraising for support. The business model encouraged conscientious consumers to purchase and give more than 150,000 pairs to children in need in the company’s first three years. After taking second place and losing the $1 million prize in 2006 on the TV reality show, “The Amazing Race,” Mycoskie decided to spend more time traveling in Argentina after filming a challenge there for the show. While in Argentina, Mycoskie befriended children who did not go to school because they did not have shoes to protect their feet from the rough terrain. Wanting to help, Mycoskie used the design of the alpargata worn by Argentina farmers to start his business. Alpargata is an Argentinean word for sneakers made of canvas or leather on a rustic rope sole. TOMS are made with similar materials and are available with rubber soles at Whole Foods Market, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus retailers. “The first time my parents left the United States was when I returned to Argentina to hand place the shoes on kids’ feet. “My parents have worked hard all their life

Blake Mycoskie, philanthropist and founder of TOMS shoes, shares his story and adventures and answers questions Oct. 14 at St. Mary’s University. to provide a good life and education for me, my brother and sister. “Seeing them on their hands and knees to put the first pair on a child’s feet was one of the most eye-opening experiences for me,” Mycoskie said. A business that started with three college interns and a Web site in Mycoskie’s apartment in 2006 has evolved to 48 employees and is expected to donate more than 600,000 shoes by the end of the year. TOMS is the first company to collaborate with clothing designer Ralph Lauren in his 40 years as a professional designer. Collaborations with Lauren, a commercial with AT&T and higher-end retail stores like Nordstrom placing TOMS in their display windows, have spread the popularity of the company. “I think the movement is successful because the shoes make you feel good about shopping, especially during the holidays,” Mycoskie said. TOMS Shoes’ nonprofit subsidiary, Friends of TOMS, hosts “shoe drop tours” open to the

Blake Mycoskie takes the time to sign the shoes he designs after his speech at St. Mary’s University.

public year-round in the United States, Africa and South America. For information on how to get involved, visit www.friendsoftoms.org.