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Volume 89 Issue 8 • Nov. 17, 2014
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GALA president joins board of Pride San Antonio as youngest director Advocate teaches self-acceptance. By Cynthia M. Herrera sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Anthony Cantu, 23, president of the Gay Ally Lesbian Alliance at this college, has
been elected as the youngest director on Pride San Antonio’s board and the first person to serve on the board while still in college. The liberal arts sophomore came out to family and friends last year. He said he doesn’t
know why he waited so long to tell them, but it was the best decision he could have made. “I wouldn’t change for the world,” he said. “Even if there was a magic button to take me back, I wouldn’t press it.” On Labor Day 2013, hours
before his older brother boarded a plane for deployment to Afghanistan, Cantu decided it was time to tell him. His brother was accepting, and so was his mom. He had carried his secret since middle school.
He said being elected a director of Pride is a humbling experience; he never expected recognition for his work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. “I’m just helping whichever way is most useful,” he
said. “I’m uncomfortable in the spotlight.” Pride President Phillip Barcena said Cantu, who joined the board in October, is an ideal spokesperson for the LGBT community.
See CANTU, Page 10
Goal of petition trustee resignation Signers object to age bias expressed in email. By Bleah B. Patterson bpatterson13@alamo.edu
Business administration sophomore Jose Acevedo flips over architecture freshman Josue Baez-Gallardo as engineering freshman Edwin Velazquez looks on Tuesday in the mall.
Acevedo, Baez-Gallardo and Velazquez are members of the Parkour Club that performs various stunts around campus. Rey Ruiz
A petition urging the resignation of District 7 trustee Yvonne Katz is intended to call attention to her unacceptable bias against older, tenured faculty, Lang Coleman of the St. Philip’s College chapter of the American Association of University Professors, or AAUP, said Tuesday. “A resignation petition can be signed by anyone in any place within Bexar County and prove a point,” he said in a phone interview. Faculty have been circulating the petition through the five Alamo Colleges for about three weeks and will collect them to count the signatures the week of Nov. 24, Coleman said. The petition at this point is not to force a recall. Coleman said he does not know how many signatures there are yet, nor does he know where the petition originated. This college’s Faculty Senate is not yet supporting the petition, according to an email from Faculty Senate President Dawn Elmore. “We were aware and have not taken an official position on it. Dr. Coleman from SPC will be coming to SAC’s Faculty Senate special meeting on Monday, Nov. 24, to make a presentation on the matter,” she wrote. Librarian Celita DeArmond, president of this college’s chapter
of AAUP, said she has not seen the petition. The petition was circulated after an email from Katz to Leslie was leaked in which she expressed a preference for hiring younger employees to replace older ones. Inside Higher Ed, a national education publication, quoted an excerpt from her email in a Sept. 25 article: “We truly need the early retirement plan to pass so we can get some of the old farts out and let the younger, excited, enthused ones take the new teaching and leadership positions.” The publication cited the email written in fall 2013 after the first retirement incentive began Aug. 31, 2013. The board approved a second retirement incentive, which began Jan. 9. Coleman said the goal is to get enough signatures to make a point to the board, to Katz and local politicians. “I’m not kidding myself, thinking that the politicians have any power. The idea is to get someone on a higher level (than the trustees) and put some pressure on them,” he said. Coleman said he believes the bias against tenured faculty is a reflection of both Katz and Leslie or she would not have felt comfortable sending the email to him. “We don’t know if (Leslie) responded to the emails,” Coleman said.
See PETITION, Page 9
SGA first stop for student concerns PAC coalition upset with student trustee’s performance. By Bleah B. Patterson bpatterson13@alamo.edu
Students should take concerns about college or district issues to their college’s student government associations, Karen Elliot, SGA president of this college, said. “Things go more smoothly when you go through the process, instead of bypassing it,” Elliot said. She was referring to a backlash against Jacob Wong, student trustee of the Alamo Colleges, who has been criticized for not representing all students in the district. PAC’s Student Leadership Coalition is call-
ing for a recall. Wong said he cannot represent the concerns of a student organization at one college unless that college’s SGA brings it to his attention. His charge as student trustee is to deal with the bigger picture, issues affecting all five Alamo Colleges. Kristie Tarin, a member of the coalition, emailed Wong on Wednesday, “… You are supposed to be acting as the direct voice for the students as you are one of us. You are not doing your job as the student representative.” Wong was selected by the district board of trustees as a non-voting student representative in the spring. His term ends May 8.
Each college nominated a student for the position. During an interview with The Ranger Oct. 19, Wong said, “Students don’t pay for all of their tuition. Bexar County residents pay a portion of that. Students should be responsible with that money and not waste time taking courses that aren’t transferrable.” Wong said community colleges are affordable because taxpayers pay for most of it. Tuition and fees make up 35 percent of the Alamo Colleges budget with local property taxes, state reimbursements, state and federal grants and other sources contributing 60 percent. Tarin responded to Wong’s quote in the email, on behalf of PAC students, writing
“Where do you get the satisfaction in saying the state pays for our education so we need to get in and get out? Do you realize there are students paying out of pocket for everything? I work hard and I still get financial aid … not everyone gets paid minimum wage nor work full time and even still financial aid may not be enough. “I feel you need to be reminded that you were selected and not elected,” Tarin wrote. “In fact, how would you do if you had to run against your peers? We … feel that having one representative is not enough and will be pushing for more, and in some cases some of your fellow students at SAC, feel that you are not even a good voice.” Wong said to the best of his knowledge the coalition has not spoken with PAC’s SGA.
See SGA, Page 9
SAConnected
2 • Nov. 17, 2014
www.theranger.org/calendar
Food needed
John Cage, American Sign Language instructor, explains types of donations the department is accepting for a turkey drive for deaf and hard-of-hearing families Wednesday in the storage room in the ASL lab in Nail. Donations for the drive will be accepted through Nov. 19 in Rooms 108, 110 and 109E of Nail. Items needed include stuffing, pasta, rice, gravy, cranberry sauce and frozen turkeys. E. David Guel
Served proud
The Burbank High School ROTC color guard leads veterans, faculty and students in the Veterans Day procession Tuesday in the mall. The Veterans Affairs office ceremony honored and recognized those who have served in the military. Rey Ruiz
TODAY TUES WED THUR SAC Event: Last fall 2014 print issue of The Ranger. Visit www. theranger.org for daily news updates. SAC Event: GED practice test for the first 10 people to sign up 8 a.m. at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Continues Mondays. Call 210-486-0455. SAC Event: Health session 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at empowerment center. Call 210-486-0455. SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University-San Antonio 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Chance and 1-4 p.m. on third floor of Oppenheimer. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-0342. SAC Deadline: Ron Lucke and Barbara Strain scholarship applications. Continues through Dec. 3. Visit www.alamo.edu/main. aspx?id=4977 or call 210-486-0255. Concert: Swing Nite with the Texas Pianoman 7 p.m. at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson. Admission $10. Call 210-223-2830.
SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Continues Wednesday; Texas A&M University 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in transfer center; Schreiner University 9 a.m.-noon on first floor of Chance; University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.noon in transfer center. Call 210-486-0342. NLC Event: Study Abroad 101 session 10 a.m.-noon in opportunity mall. Call 210485-0085. SAC Event: Student Publication Board for Ranger editor interviews 11 a.m. in Room 208 of Loftin. Call 210486-1776. SAC Lecture: Hot Potato Tuesday “The Future of SAC” with President Robert Vela 12:15 p.m. at United Methodist Campus Ministr y Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441. SAC Concert: Early music ensemble 1:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-4860255.
SAC Event: The Ranger Source Awards 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Room 212 of Loftin. Call 210-486-1776. SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Moody. Call 210-486-0342. NLC Event: Pingpong tournament 1 p.m. in cafeteria of student commons with sign up in Room 131 of student commons by Nov. 17. Winner to challenge President Craig Follins. Call 210-4865404. SAC Event: Fashion Show noon-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Workshop: Intro to computers 1-4 p.m. at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Call 210-486-0455. SAC Basketball: Women’s vs. Palo Alto 6 p.m. and men’s vs. University of Incarnate Word 8 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 210-4860126.
Volunteer: Feed the Need Packing Event 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at New Life Christian Academy, 6622 W. US-90. Call 210-679-2001. SAC Workshop: Intro to Microsoft Word 1-4 p.m. at empowerment center. Call 210-4860455. SAC Event: Coed three-on-three volleyball 2-4 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler with sign-up in office of student life by Nov. 19. Call 210486-0125. NLC Volleyball: Lady Nighthawks vs. Northwest Vista 7-9 p.m. in wellness gym. Call 210-486-5404. UIW Concert: Jazz ensemble 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Seddon Recital Hall. Call 210-8293855. Concert: Rob Baird 8 p.m. at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson. Admission $10-$40. Call 210-2232830.
FRI NVC Event: Drumming circle 10:30 a.m.-noon and 2-3:30 p.m. in Room 113 of Huisache with sign-up by Nov. 18. Call 210486-4466 or email nvc-access@alamo.edu.
Finger strength
Fine arts sophomore Michelle Gonzales works on final touches of her sculpture, an octopus, Wednesday during her pottery class in the Koehler Carriage House. Ayesa Hinojosa
SAT MON UPCOMING NVC Dance: Repertory Dance Ensemble 8-10 p.m. in Palmetto. General admission $10, discount $5 and with Alamo Colleges ID $3. Call 210-486-4374.
SAC Event: Turkey give-away raffle 1:302:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Must be present to win. Call 210-486-0125.
UIW Event: Light the Way “A Cardinal’s Christmas” 7:30 p.m. at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium, 4301 Broadway. Call 210829-6001.
NLC Deadline: Holiday raffle drawing 3 p.m. with tickets $1 for four holiday gift basket prizes. Email lplevek@ alamo.edu.
UTSA Concer t: Mexican cellist Carlos Prieto 7 p.m. in Buena Vista Theater at downtown campus. Call 210-458-2923.
NVC Deadline: Application for Little Angels Gift Tree 5 p.m. in Room 109 of Huisache. Call 210-486-4005.
Event: SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque Show 8 p.m. at White Rabbit, 2410 N. St. Mary’s. Admission $25. Call 210-737-2221.
SAC Event: Planetarium shows 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Scobee Education Center. Admission $2 with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210-486-0163. SAC Film: “The Giver” 7:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Free to SAC students and $1 general admission. Call 210-486-0126.
Illustrations by Alexandra Nelipa
SUN PAC Event: Thanksgiving Children’s Story Time and Crafts 3-5 p.m. in Room 201 of Ozuna. Call 210-4863555.
SAC Event: Blood drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in mall. Call 210-7315555. SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University-San Antonio 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on third floor of Oppenheimer and 1-4 p.m. on first floor of Chance; University of Incarnate Word 9 a.m.1 p.m. on first floor of Chance; Texas Tech University 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-4860342. SAC Event: Holiday Card/Outreach Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210486-0158. SAC Concert: Choir 1:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210486-0255. SAC Event: San Antonio Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry in Lot 1 2-5 p.m. with vouchers available at welcome desk of Fletcher, religious centers and empowerment center. Call 210486-0437.
Thursday, Nov. 27 ACCD Holiday: Thanksgiving Day. Colleges closed through Nov. 30. Friday, Nov. 28 Event: Ford Holiday Parade and Lighting Ceremony 7-9 p.m. at River Walk. Tickets $5. Call 210-227-4262. Monday, Dec. 1 SAC Concert: Orchestra 7:30-8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255. Wednesday, Dec. 3 SAC Event: Snow Day 1-3 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0126. Thursday, Dec. 4 SAC Concert: Jazz ensemble 7:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255. Monday, Dec. 22 ACCD Winter Break: Colleges closed through Jan. 2 and re-opening Jan. 5. Classes resume Jan. 22.
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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
Nov. 17, 2014 • 3
Methodist Student Center versus ‘smokers’ corner’ Multiple incidents and complaints shorten the organization’s patience. By Kyle R. Cotton
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Methodist Student Center has been troubled by smokers since the Alamo Colleges implemented its “non-smoking campus” policy across the district in fall 2005. Smokers congregate at the corner of West Dewey and Belknap in front of the Methodist Student Center causing the sidewalk to be blocked. Alex Ruiz, anthropology sophomore and United Methodist Student Organization president, said the center’s staff is at a breaking point, especially after what he views as an explosion in the smoker population in the last year and a half. “We’ve had several incidents of disrespectful behavior from the smokers, the most notable of which was an elderly woman in a wheelchair where the smokers refused to get out of the way,” Ruiz said. Cameo Salazar, business administration freshman and vice president of the student organization, suggested building a fence or wall around the property. “We obviously don’t want to do that since the policy here is ‘open hearts, open minds,’ but the attitude some of them have is driving people away from the Methodist Student Center and our organization,” Salazar said. The center hosts multiple weekly events such as lectures, Hot Potato discussions, retreats, Bible study, morning coffee and hospitality. Ruiz said, “Students have told me that they avoid our center because of the smokers.” Ruiz, who was a student at this college before the implementation of the no-smoking policy, said people used to smoke at the intersection on the west side of Belknap by Bennett Music Hall. “The walkway over there has hardly any traffic, so it would be an ideal place for a designated smoking area since it would be out of the way,” Ruiz said. “I’ve talked to anyone who would listen: Student Government Association, student life and President Robert Vela, but they either can’t or won’t do anything about the situation,” he said. Ruiz and Salazar said some of the center’s staff members and even campus police smoke with the students on the corner. They added some college district police tell the students the San Antonio Police could not prohibit smoking there, despite a sign posted in front of the building stating the text of San Antonio City Ordinance No. #97895: “Indoor and outdoor smoking, loitering, soliciting are prohibited.” Ruiz said, “We’ve talked with SAPD on multiple occasions, and they told us that they could ticket the smokers for violating city ordinance by blocking the sidewalk.” He added, “We feel disrespected by some of the smokers, and they have taken advantage of our hospitality by leaving messes inside and outside our center.”
Courtesy
Liberal arts freshman Arthur Chibisov smokes a cigarette and checks his phone Oct. 15 at Dewey and Belknap. Chibisov, an international student, said “In Latvia, you can smoke everywhere, but here it’s unusual.” E. David Guel
Students socialize during a smoke break between classes Oct. 15 at Dewey and Belknap. E. David Guel For example, an individual walked into the center, passed two “no smoking” signs, and lit a cigarette in the middle of the center. When the individual was confronted, he said, “I thought this was the designated smoking area.” Ruiz said, “I know that not all smokers have this attitude problem; in fact, many of them try to police themselves, but they can only do so much.” Salazar said they have asked district police and the college for help. “It’s two feet off campus; it’s not that difficult to walk across the street and tell them to disperse,” she said. Some of the regular visitors to the “smokers’ corner” said they feel as if a designated smoking area would alleviate some of the problems. One smoker, who asked to be identified as
Sparks, said, “The green house that they don’t use can be converted into a smokers’ area that the smoking students would have to take care of.” Sparks elaborated on the history of “smokers’ corner.” “The messed up part about this is we tried to get a group together to try and do this, and were in contact with student council, and they wanted to put a pot (for cigarette butts) out here, and I think there was one, but somebody stole it.” He said, “I understand why they wouldn’t want smokers on their property,” relating the incident in which a smoker’s cigarette butt caught one of the Methodist Student Center’s trees on fire. He continued: “The smokers here are a closeknit group, as much as people hate to admit it. Being a smoker, you tend to be sociable.” Jessica Foster, marine biology freshman agreed. “I can’t even begin to tell you how many people we’ve met out here that we’ve become friends with,” she said. When asked about SAPD responding to complaints about blocking the sidewalk, the smokers said the police come out usually once a week, but get upset at the Methodist Student Center because, as Foster said, “There is nothing they can do about it.” Rev. Johnny Silva, director of the Methodist Student Center, said, “We call the police, but usually by the time they get here, the violating students have already dispersed.” Criminal justice sophomore Brandi Towey said, “Usually, when they come by, we are following the rules, doing what we are supposed to do.” Towey added, “There are a few stragglers who don’t know what to do, and we try to tell them, but we can’t catch every single one of them.” Some smokers said while they would appreciate a designated area for smokers, those who break the rules would likely persist and refuse to pick up their trash, leaving butts and cigarette packaging in their wake. For more on the center, call Silva at 210-7331441 or visit it at 102 Belknap Place.
Concert benefits children’s home KSYM hosts its 17th annual live music fundraiser Nov. 21. By R.T. Gonzalez and Amanda K. Tetens sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college’s radio station, KSYM 90.1, will host the 17th annual Alt to Hunger concert this month to raise money for a local children’s home. The event is from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nov. 21 at Fitzgerald’s Bar and Live Music, 437 McCarty Road. Admission is $5 or five cans of food per person; one frozen turkey admits five people. All proceeds go to the St. PeterSt. Joseph Children’s Home, which has helped sick, homeless and orphaned children since the 1870s. “People donate more because we have great listeners,” said Dallas Williams, KSYM assistant program director. Williams said the event renews her faith in humanity. “Seeing our listeners come together and support a worthy organization is the best part,” she said. Five bands will perform genres from funk and electronic to rock and blues. The headliner, Femina-X, is an electronic indie band. KSYM program director James “Hot Mustard” Velten said last year’s fundraiser was canceled because of bad weather, so this year’s event will be indoors. Guests must be 21 or older. Visit www.alamo.edu/sac/ksym/.
Student opens doors to Freemasonry The Davy Crockett Lodge No. 1225 gives back to community. By Ian Coleman
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
They have been credited with the Boston Tea Party, having designs on the nation’s capital by literally creating designs in the street layout of Washington, D.C., and accused of ties to the Illuminati, an 18th-century Bavarian secret society. The Freemasons say all these ideas are false. Archaeology sophomore Alex Ruiz is a third degree master Mason with the Davy Crockett Lodge No. 1225. The Davy Crockett Lodge is a “Blue Lodge,” which is for men who complete up to three degrees in Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.
Various lodges are for men at advanced levels of Freemasonry; they can work their way up to 33 degrees. According to The Grand Lodge of Texas website, a degree “is a drama in which the candidate or newcomer to Masonry is made to play a key part. The degrees “have several characteristics and are progressive in nature … a unique characteristic of each Masonic degree is an obligation taken by the candidate.” “The obligation is an oath taken for the purpose of instructing the candidate in his Masonic duty.” Freemasonry is defined by The Grand Lodge of Texas website as “the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world; the exact date of its founding is uncertain.” According to the website, “It exists to take good men and help them to become better men.” However it
cautions that Freemasonry is not a reform society. Ruiz said people often have misconceptions of freemasonry. “We are not a secret society,” Ruiz said. “Just a society with secrets.” Ruiz said he became a Freemason in February 2013. According to the Sugar Land Masonic Lodge No. 1141 website, the Mirabeau B. Lamar Scholarship and Award for Excellence in Education “is awarded to students and educators in recognition of outstanding personal achievements in academics, citizenship, community service or sports. Relationship to a current or deceased Mason is not required for consideration.” Lamar, a president of Texas and a Mason, is renowned as the “Father of Texas Education” for his support of a public school system in Texas. On Aug. 19, the Davy Crockett
Anthropology sophomore Alex Ruiz holds a senior warden officer’s apron Oct. 21 at the Scottish Rite Temple. The plumb line reminds members they are all on the same level, he said. Neven Jones Lodge donated $400 of backpacks full of school supplies to Will Rogers Elementary School. Ruiz said he relates to the children who receive school supplies because when he was growing up, his family did not have money to buy the school supplies he needed.
“I got picked on,” Ruiz said. “I went to school with a plastic bag from Handy Andy that all my stuff was in.” Ruiz said the Davy Crockett Lodge also participates in community service projects such as blood drives. Visit www.davycrockettlodge.com or www.grandlodgeoftexas.org.
News
4 • Nov. 17, 2014
www.theranger.org/news
Patrolling the campus and giving back Request police escort Campus police departments donate if feeling unsafe time to give back to those in need. By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz168@student.alamo.edu
Coming from a family with loved ones who have died from cancer, campus Police Officer Michael Castillo and other members of the Alamo Colleges Police Department will volunteer this month for the second year at Ronald McDonald House near this college. Last November, members celebrated Alamo Colleges Police Day and cleaned, cooked and decorated at the house,
227 Lewis St. One of more than 300 Ronald McDonald houses worldwide, it provides low-cost lodging for families whose children are receiving medical treatment. Castillo said he and other members of the police department visited the shelter last year and felt they needed to do what they could to help. “We went down and saw the kids with chemo and leukemia,” Castillo said. “They (the shelter) rely heavily on volunteers. … I explained (to
the police department) we need to be a part of it.” Juanita Bivin, house manager at the Ronald McDonald House, said the police department commonly goes the extra mile to help out. “They just kind of stopped by and asked if we take donations, and we went from there and it just snowballed into other things,” she said. The police department has donated food and clothes on various occasions as well as volunteering time to help with whatever is needed. “They basically just come in and tell us,
‘whatever you want me to do,’” Bivin said. Castillo said the police department will volunteer at the shelter Nov. 22. He said they will clean, cook and make spaghetti dinners for all families with food donated by Paul Urrabazo, director of senior feeding at Selrico, the food service contractor for the cafeteria at this campus. To volunteer, get an application at the shelter, visit the website at ronaldmcdonaldhouse-sa. org or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook. com/rmhcsanantonio. Read the full story online.
Use any of the 49 emergency phones on campus for police assistance. By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz168@student.alamo.edu
Feeling unsafe after a night class? Call a police escort to accompany you on the walk to your car. Deputy Chief Joe Pabon said the Alamo Colleges Police Department encourages anyone who feels unsafe walking to their car or to school to call the non-emergency campus line at 210485-0099 for an escort. He said students, faculty and staff can also
request a police escort by using any of the 49 emergency call posts throughout campus and outside parking garages. According to this college’s crime statistics report, in 2013 there were 10 cases of simple assault, two off campus and two cases at Tobin Lofts. The other six cases were reported off campus. “If they feel something is going on or they do not feel comfortable or have a long walk, providing that
we have an officer available, then call us,” he said. Pabon said although the police department is always open, it may take a few minutes for an officer to show up. “We are here 24-7,” he said. “If a student is here, call us. We will escort you.” Examples of when to call the non-emergency number are losing a personal item, finding a wallet, locking keys in a car or a small car accident with no injuries, Pabon said. For emergencies like a major car accident, theft or fire, call 210-485-0911.
Former Ranger photographer wins state Emmy for documentary Photography student’s skills land her an award and a job. By Amanda Tetens sac-ranger@alamo.edu
A documentary video by former photography student Robbin Cresswell received a 2014 student award from Lone Star Emmy, a Texas chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She originally submitted the video, “Professional Farrier,” as a final project for her class, COMM 1317,
News Photography 2, with Professor Edmund Lo. The video earned an award in the chapter’s Lone Star College/ University Regional Student Production category for News: General Assignment – Light News. Cresswell said the award came as a surprise because she had no experience in video editing prior to the class. Cresswell said to challenge herself, she
decided to do a video for the final project instead of a photo. “I thought video journalism was my weakest point,” Cresswell said. She said the video, which showed the process of making horseshoes, took a full day to shoot and about 18 hours of editing. She said after submitting the video she thought that was the end of it. After the video was
posted to The Ranger online, it drew the attention for a nomination. “She was a very mature student,” Lo said. “That really helped her effectively learn the skills from the course.” Cresswell said her experience on this campus not only helped her win this award, but it also helped her land her current job as an administrative assistant for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in the communication department,
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where she uses her photography and video skills for the department’s social media accounts. Cresswell said she attended this campus off and on for the past 10 years, taking classes here and there. She said after losing her job and being out of work for a year and a half, she took the news photography class to sharpen her skills, “(I learned) to deal with a lot of different people and adhere to deadlines.”
Robbin Cresswell, former student and Lone Star Emmy winner, shoots digital video at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 8. Edmund Lo
www.theranger.org/news
Nov. 17, 2014 • 5
nt. . e t conldren t l u s ad or chi n i a t n o This show c opriate f May be inappr
the 25th annual Putnam County
SPELLING BEE Music and Lyrics by William Finn. Book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman. Additional Material by Jay Reiss. Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine. Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre. Presented by the San Antonio College Department of Fine Arts and directed by Paula Rodriguez
NOVEMBER 22 & 23 AT 2:30 PM NOVEMBER 18,19,20,21,22 AT 7:30 PM
TICKETS (CASH OR CHECK ONLY): $5 ALAMO COLLEGE ID $10 OTHER COLLEGES, SENIORS/MILITARY $15 GENERAL ADMISSION
McAllister Auditorium @ San Antonio College 1300 San Pedro Ave. / for more info call 210 486 0255
Prem
6 • www.theranger.org/premiere
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK Today SAC Demonstration: Italian Bruschetta by Stephania Malacrida 9-10:15 a.m. in Loftin near the cafeteria. SPC Event: Trip Around the World 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Heritage Pavilion. NLC Discussion: Peace Corps discussion 10:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Room 201 of student commons. PAC Lecture: Spain at a Glance “A Personal Perspective” with Professor Vincente Guillote 11 a.m.-noon in Room 201 of Ozuna.
SAC Concert: Early Music Ensemble 12th and 14th centuries 1:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Wednesday SAC Event: Flamenco dancing 11-11:30 a.m. in Oppenheimer lobby. NLC Lecture: London Study Abroad program presentation 11 a.m.-noon in Room 201 of student commons. A group of women look through the glass separating the men’s
SAC Event: Open mic karaoke 11:15-11:45 a.m. in Room 220C of Oppenheimer. Read the story online. SPC Luncheon: International Student Thanksgiving luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Sutton Learning Center.
SAC Event: Lucky Lunes Lotería 11:15-11:45 a.m. in Room 220C of Oppenheimer. Read the story online.
SAC Demonstration: Cooking paella with Robert Kniseley 1-2 p.m. in Loftin near cafeteria. Read the story online.
Catholic studen Martinez prays to rakat before the Friday group prayer Nov. 7 at the Islamic Center of San Antonio. Muslims pray five times a day; fajr 6:19 a.m., zuhr, 1 p.m., asr 3:45 p.m., maghrib 5:52 p.m. and isha 8 p.m. Prayer times vary daily. Wudu, or washing, must be performed before each prayer. A Muslim woman enters through the women’s entrance. Once children reach puberty, they are separated by sex.
NVC Event: Passport Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Lago Vista of Cypress.
SAC Event: Japanese Calligraphy with Instructor Yuko Kawabe 1-2 p.m. in Oppenheimer lobby.
Thursday
NVC Event: Walk of Nations noon at the patio of Cypress Center.
NLC Lecture: Entre Flamenco lecture demonstration 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Room 201 of performing arts center.
Tuesday NLC Discussion: International Presentation on Cultures around the World 10-11 a.m. in the mall of student commons. NLC Event: Professional development in Spain and Study Abroad 101 Sessions 10-11 a.m in mall of student commons. NLC Discussion: World language conversation tables: Mini Language Lessons 10:15-11 a.m. in the mall of student commons. SPC Event: Hunger Banquet 10:30 a.m.-noon in the breezeway of center for learning resources. SAC Event: Origami with Yuko Kawabe 11-11:30 a.m. in Oppenheimer lobby. NLC Lecture: Study Abroad: Reaping the Benefits by Chancellor Bruce Leslie 11 a.m.–noon in mall of student commons.
SAC Event: Thanksgiving 11:1511:45 a.m. in Room 220C of Oppenheimer. NLC Event: “Show Us Your World” photo contest winner announcement noon12:15 p.m. in mall of student commons. SAC Lecture: World religions: Facts and Questions with Richard Schoenig 12:15-1:15 p.m. in Room 201 of Oppenheimer. SAC Event: Speaking and Listening Stations with Elaine Hayden 12:30-2 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. NVC Event: Hunger Banquet 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Lago Vista Room of Cypress. Friday SAC Event: Philosophy of Japan with Ryan Lozano 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Room 106 of Oppenheimer.
PAC Event: “Celebrating China” with UTSA’s Confucius Institute 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in lobby of performing arts. SAC Event: World in Motion 11:15-11:45 a.m. in Room 220C of Oppenheimer. SAC Lecture: Study Abroad Japan 2015 with Yuko Kawabe 1:30-2 p.m. in Room 106 of Oppenheimer.
All Illustrations by Ansley Lewis
Martinez demonstrates wudu, or washing before prayer. Muslims recite “bismillahi al r-rahmani al r-rahim,” then wash their hands, mouth, nose and face three times. Wash the right arm to the elbow first then left, put water on the head front to back, clean behind the ears with thumb. Finally the feet are washed between the toes starting with the right foot.
Story and
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Islam is about trying to pray and trying to be a better person, student says. When Marilyn Martinez came back to San Antonio, she did not speak English. She was born in the U.S. but raised in Mexico as a Catholic. When her parents divorced, she moved to Texas to be with her mother. She attended this college and earned an associate degree in dental assisting. She had been in the U.S. for six months when the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, happened. As Martinez watched the events unfold on television, she wondered why the media portrayed Arabs as terrorists and made Islam seem like a bad religion, she said. Several months later, in February 2002, she met her future husband, a Muslim from Saudi Arabia, through a classmate at a barbecue and began to learn about Islam. A few months later they began dating, and seven months into the relationship, she accidently walked into his room while he was praying. That was the first time she ever saw a Muslim pray.
After a to learn m brought h in Spanish In 2005 head cove Martin laration of of a sheik Mosque an years, she Shahad that there Muhamm Martin her religio converted husband. him, she s She a because o not religio Now th says the r the media She sa helped he It help happened who she is Martin
International student from V Student continues adapting to the language, culture and food. By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz168@student.alamo.edu
With a love for travel and adventure, manga and K-pop, marketing freshman Nhu Nguyen, 21, packed her bags and left her life in Vietnam to study in the U.S. as an international student. Starting over can be a difficult task for anyone, but imagine starting a new life in a new country with little knowledge of the language, Nguyen said. She said every day is a learning experience, but she enjoys being on campus. “My first time here I didn’t know English,” Nguyen said. “I mean, I did know English but not really much — just enough.” She said when she arrived in Texas, her first taste of the weather was colder than she imagined. “I came in the wintertime, and it was really cold to compare to my country,” Nguyen said.
“It was a little bit hard.” Nguyen has lived in the U.S. for the past eight months with her uncle and four family members. This is her second semester at this college, and she said she enjoys the cultural differences. Her first class on campus was, ENGA 0305, Composition and Grammar. “I didn’t know anyone here except my uncle’s family,” Nguyen said. “It was a little bit scary when I went to my first class.” She said students here are very different compared to students at her prior school, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology in Vietnam. “The way students study is different,” Nguyen said. “Here, I think (students) need to study by themselves, like go to library or read a book, and the professors are so helpful.” Nguyen said she spent two years in college in Ho Chi Mihn City but had to start her educational career over when she came to the U.S.
When she is not busy with scho Nguyen said she likes to read manga an to her favorite music groups. “I really like K-pop. My favorite Bang Shin Ki,” she said. “It’s a boy grou She said she was devastated when in Vietnam called to say DBSK was per a concert in her hometown. Nguyen said living in San Antonio h a major culture shock. She said she loves the River Walk b fan of the food. “No, I don’t like Mexican food; I d American food either,” Nguyen said. “ Asian food, like Chinese, Korean food Vietnamese. Vietnamese, of course.” Nguyen said her biggest challenge away from her friends and family. She talks about hanging out with fr Vietnam every day, eating at her favo restaurants, drinking bubble tea an shopping. “Over there in my country is a lo mostly because (in) my country, I
miere
Nov. 17, 2014 • 7
Students integrate cultures By Nathalie Mora
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
side of the mosque from the women’s as the imam speaks before Friday group prayer.
nt converts to Islam
Martinez listens to the imam who spoke from the men’s side of the mosque. He spoke about the importance of counting blessings and saying “Alhamdulillah,” praise to Allah. Women can see the men’s side but the men’s side is mirrored and they cannot see the women’s side.
photos by Neven Jones
jones4@student.alamo.edu
a year of dating she wanted more about the religion so he her books about Islam written h. 5, she began wearing a hijab, a ering, periodically. nez recited her Shahada, a decf faith, in 2013 in the presence and several women from the nd has been a Muslim for eight said. da is when a Muslim recites e is only one god, Allah, and mad is the Messenger of Allah. nez did not have to change on to get married. In fact, she d after she separated from her She did it for herself, not for said. and her husband divorced of their cultural differences, on, she said. hat Martinez is Muslim, she religion is different from how a portrays it. aid her conversion to Islam er to be a calmer person. ped her to accept things that d in her life but did not change s. nez says she is Mexican by
heart and her religion is separate. Her family respects her holidays. When she fasts during Ramadan, her whole family waits to break fast with her at sundown, she said. She accepts Jesus was a prophet, like Muhammad. Martinez always questioned the crucifixion of Jesus, and worshipping saints did not resonate with her. Muslims do not worship statues; when she was Catholic she always questioned why she had to pray to saints. At Christmas, she celebrates with her family but does not participate in the Catholic rituals. When she prays at home, she wears abaya, a prayer dress that covers her body. Praying five times a day is calming, she said. Sometimes, she prays when she is sad. Muslim women must cover their hair, neck and arms to their wrists and their legs to their ankles or the prayer won’t count, she said. She separates Arab culture from the religion. She shakes men’s hands even though some Muslim women do not. Covering the body in public is a personal choice and not something that is forced upon Muslims.
Women pray shoulder-to-shoulder, which leaves no space for evil or shaitan, to pass by. Martinez likes to cover up and wear hijab because she wants people to know anyone can be Muslim; it is not exclusive to Arabs. She is a modest person anyway. Wearing hijab does not stop her from being active. To keep track of prayer times, Martinez uses an app called “Athan” that can be set to go off before the five prayer times to alert the user it’s time to pray. Martinez said her friends said even though she changed her religious belief, she is the same person. She is at peace with herself.
Marilyn Martinez prays facing northeast because that is where the Qibla in Mecca is relative to the U.S. The forehead and nose must touch the floor.
International Education Week is an initiative between the Department of State and the Department of Education, said LaTanya Woods, coordinator of International relations for Alamo Colleges. “The purpose of the week is to promote Americans obtaining global perspective and to make aware and encourage participation across institutions of higher education,” Woods said. International Education Week is celebrating its 15th a n n i v e r s a r y, said Martha Saenz Buchanan, coordinator of international students at San Antonio College. The week will be celebrated today-Nov. 21, Buchanan said. Last year’s activities included “Lotería” and a demonstration of international food, said Fernando Cervantes, president of the International Students Association. “It was quite fun,” Cervantes said. This year’s activities include Lucky Lunes Lotería, origami and flamenco dancing, Buchanan said. Buchanan said taking part in these activities is a great way to help international students to feel welcomed. International students are very shy in a new country and have to learn a new language, said Cervantes “SAC has the biggest concentration of international students in all the Alamo Colleges and it’s also the largest campus,” Woods said. “And it is especially important for SAC students to recognize that leadership position.” Woods encourages students to not only participate during this week but to stay actively involved in the community and college. “We want students to be prepared to go out into a workforce that is becoming more and more internationalized,” Woods said. For more information about international week, call 210-486-1720. To join the International Students Association, call Cervantes at 210-427-5684
Vietnam enjoys life in the U.S.
oolwork, nd listen
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people, my friends, all my friends, and in my country there are a lot of places to go and, like, entertain,” she said. “It’s not really parties, but just hang out, like, three or four group of friends hang out together … every day or every week and go eat or go drink a lot of places.” Nguyen said she has made new friends here, and she has met many international students. “Being an international student is really hard — I mean, at first to adapt to a totally different environment and to see a lot of people who don’t speak my language,” she said. “I see a lot of international students also — it’s really cool — but we all have the same problem.” Martha Buchanan, coordinator of international students, said she really admires international students and their ability to pack up their bags and move to a foreign country where many times they don’t even know where they are going to live. “These students are willing to pick up and move away from friends, family and home
environments and go into a totally alien situation,” Buchanan said. She said besides the language barriers and cultural obstacles, international students run into problems with living spaces, transportation and healthcare. Buchanan said although students are excited to come as an international student, after a while students miss their families and become homesick. “There is this honeymoon period,” she said. “They are so excited to get here and then homesickness sets in, loneliness sets, in and that’s why we try to get them involved with each other as well as with domestic students.” Nguyen said she has always dreamed of coming to the U.S. to study English. “America is really good — I mean, the best country,” she said. “I really wanted to go to America to study and learn a lot of things and to study English also.” Nguyen said she plans on transferring to the University of Texas at San Antonio to finish her degree in marketing.
She said once she graduates she would like to gain some work experience before heading back home. “I really want to go back to my country and do something related to the marketing field,” she said. “I really want to find a job here — just one or two years — just to, you know, to gain experience.” Nguyen said she did a lot of research when trying to choose what school to attend. She said she is very happy with this college, and she believes she made a good decision coming here. She said becoming an international student was complicated and is about a fourmonth process. She said she went online and looked at many schools until she finally landed on this college, and she filled out an application. “SAC is really good,” she said. “I think this is my good choice to study here. … The students are all really friendly, a lot of activities and professors — they (are) really nice. It’s a good place for international students.”
Marketing freshman Nhu Nguyen has been an international student here for two semesters. R.T. Gonzalez
Being an international student is really hard — I mean, at first, to adapt to a totally different environment and to see a lot of people who don’t speak my language. Nhu Nguyen, international student
8 • Nov. 17, 2014
www.theranger.org/opinion
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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, Kyle Cotton, R. Eguia, S.T. Fegins, Marina Garcia, Tim Hernandez, Cynthia M. Herrera, M. A. Horta, R.T. Gonzalez, Shawntell Johnson, Deven Malone, 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 Ian Coleman, E. David Guel, Neven Jones Photo Team Milena Arias, Manuel Bautista, Anthony Carrizales, Christopher Hernandez, Javier Hernandez, Ayesa Hinojosa, Reynaldo Ruiz, Taylor Tribbey Illustrators Ansley Lewis, Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Mandy Derfler Promotions Manager Katherine Garcia Alexandra Nelipa
©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 Citizens to be heard, but not to listen Viewpoint by Ian Coleman
ONLINE NOW
Study-abroad program is accepting summer 2015 applications
Former student inspires new generation of photojournalists
LETTERS ONLINE Editor: I’ve been trying for months to understand the advantage of this new degree plan, but every supposed advantage dissolves under scrutiny. Since the plan became public this September, I’ve been told (1) it was necessary for reaffirmation for SACACOC accreditation, but we found SACSCOC wasn’t driving the change. Then (2), the designation “major” is problematic: either it’s not an accurate name — “transfer advising plan” is more accurate — or 18 hours are not enough hours for a major — university majors require 30 or more hours — or major implies a terminal degree.
Just listen to us The decisions district officials make have a huge impact on the lives of students. The input of faculty members — the ones who actually spend the most time around students — is not even taken into account when these decisions are made. Faculty do not have the opportunity to have their voices heard, so how does district have any clue of the student perspective? Considering faculty members have the best idea of what students need and want, why does district not take the time to hear them out? Take that another step further, why does district not take the time to hear students? After all, don’t they work for us? It seems they have forgotten this. Maybe they think using more forms of self-
help jargon, removing degree concentrations and treating us like children with new advising models and faculty “WIGs,” wildly important goals, will better prepare us for the real world. The reality is giving us the chance to learn from our mistakes, find our niches and allow our voices to be heard will make us ready for post-Alamo Colleges life. Do not continue to tell us what you think is best for us; just listen to us. Giving credit where credit is due is the right thing to do. Discussion of transfer degrees in the Oct. 28 board meeting proved the trustees’ ability to listen to students and faculty. Let’s hope this trend continues with district administrators.
Students want options “Student’s don’t do optional” has become something of a motto for the Alamo Colleges. In other words, when students are given options, they don’t do anything at all. At least that’s what administrators and the district board of trustees think. College isn’t the kiddie pool that high school may have been. In college, you sink or swim, you learn and adapt or you just don’t make it. Call it harsh, call it survival of the fittest; it’s just the way it works. No one should be holding your hand. The brilliance of the college experience is the ability to make decisions and sometimes make mistakes. We’re going to learn either way. In college, you’re supposed to figure out who you are so when you enter your career you have a foundation to build on. Coddling someone through the process just for the sake of retention and graduation rates does not help anyone to mature or grow.
Many students don’t do optional, but it’s not because they are disinterested; most students work at least one job, many are married, even more have children. Budgeting of time and finances is their priority. Then classes. There is not much left over after that. What students need is resources — advisers, comprehensive degree plans, uncomplicated websites, labs and tutors — after that we can figure it out. We can take the options available and choose what works best for us. To say that we’re incapable of doing so is insulting. So stop saying we don’t do optional. Give us back our resources. Let us make our mistakes and learn our lessons. Let us choose our own options. The people who really want to be here will find success, but not being allowed to make our own decisions creates a dependency we don’t need in the future.
Exploration necessary to education
But the term “major” with an A.A. or A.S. degree has been commonly understood for a half century as indicating transfer into a bachelor’s major (especially for SAC since we were created in 1925 by UT as a Junior College that would feed UT Austin). And why does it suggest a terminal degree for employment? Does a bachelor’s degree with a major indicate a terminal degree? (Say a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy; who can get a job with that?) Why this new nitpicking with traditional understanding? I’ve also heard the budgetary reason (3): we want to make sure to get
the Success Points since our funding will continue to be dependent on students’ graduating. Traditional degrees would equally satisfy this need. The current justification (4), one that I heard Dr. Jo Carol Fabianke state a half dozen times at the last board committee meeting is the new degrees will guarantee that all the 18 hours past the core will count in the major when the student transfers. First of all, what is the problem with some of the courses transferring in as electives? How can the new generic degrees guarantee more courses transferring into the major?
One suggested answer is that the administration will apply more pressure on the local universities to have courses accepted. Wonderful, but why can’t we put the same pressure for our traditional majors? One of the major problems with the proposed plan is that it would limit choice for students’ transferring. At that board meeting last week, District 2 trustee Denver McClenden brought up this limitation. He asked, “What if a student applies to several universities for admission?” But with the current degrees, especially if we can get the universities to play nice and accept our
majors, students would be able to have choices and all the courses would count. The final criticism of the new plan is it treats the choice as a zero sum game: either the new or the old. But that thinking ignores the fact that we have been offering the new plan for decades. We call it the “associate in transfer degree.” Why not simply ensure that the transfer degree has higher visibility as we advise students? I can see no reason why the two kinds of degrees can’t continue to co-exist.
Mike Burton English, Reading and Education Chair
News
www.theranger.org/news SGA from Page 1 No one from the coalition or PAC’s student government has returned The Ranger’s phone calls. Wong said students at PAC may not understand the bottom-up process the Student Government Associations districtwide have established. “If the SGAs aren’t telling me this is an issue, I can’t do anything about it. There are processes for a reason,” Wong said. He said students need to approach their SGA presidents, and twice a month SGA officials at each of the five colleges meet with Wong
STUDY
at Student District Council, or SDC. “From there I can make sure the board and administrators know how students feel,” Wong said. Andrew Hubbard, former SGA president of this college, said he created SDC when Wong was elected because during his term Chancellor Bruce Leslie said it would be necessary if students wanted a trustee. In Wong’s email response to Tarin he wrote, “To ensure a student trustee could not ‘go rogue’ we the leadership (district council, student trustees, and SGAs) abide
by a bottom-up structure that I am sure most students at PAC were not aware of. Please direct your Student Government to represent your concerns to the Student District Council to ensure your specific concerns are addressed.” Hubbard said SGA, the board of trustees, the Presidents and Vice Chancellor Committee known as PVC, the student trustee position, the college presidents and the SDC work together for shared governance. “Faculty Senate, Staff Council, College Council and SGA all work together within a college to make
Closer desk, higher grade
Sitting front-and-center helps students stay alert.
Black is a former professor in the student development department, where she coached new students on effective learning By Shawntell Johnson habits. Black said students who sit up front sac-ranger@alamo.edu show more interest, pay close attention and With finals quickly approaching, students can hear and see better. She did an exercise may want to take it as an opportunity to form with her freshman students, asking them to new study and learning habits to earn a higher stand up and sit where they were most comgrade. Deciding where to sit in the classroom fortable. The majority merged to the back may seem minor, but students and to the side. who sit front-andPre-nursing sophomore Sasha Rios center make higher said she prefers to sit in the grades, according to front of the classroom a survey of 100 stubecause “it feels more dents at Dixie State personal when the College in St. George, professor is lecturUtah. Conducted in 2012, ing. When I am in the survey revealed students the back, I lose focus Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa who sit up close had the easier because I get dishighest GPA, and students who preferred the tracted by other things going on in the classback had the lowest. room,” Rios said. “Proximity is key,” counselor Lisa Black said. Black emphasized the importance of seatBlack said the best classroom seats are ing for a favorable outcome. “Sitting close to front and center, referring to this as the triangle the instructor takes courage, and students effect. “There’s less distraction, and students gain a rapport with the instructor,” she said. are less likely to take out their phone,” she said. “This is vital for success.”
Nov. 17, 2014 • 9 sure the president is aware of collegewide concerns,” he said. Hubbard also said it is the responsibility of the president to deal with any problems students are having within their particular college. Only if an issue is raised at all five colleges does it come to the agenda during the SDC meetings, and only during the SDC meeting are issues brought to Wong’s attention, he said. “We have to speak as one unified voice,” Hubbard said. Otherwise the voices drown each other out.”
LIVING
PETITION from Page 1 According to the district board of trustees policy, the only way to recall a trustee is to have a judge make a ruling based on petitions from the constituents of that district. State law dictates there would have to be signatures equivalent to 10 percent of the voter turnout for that district’s election. He said if Katz does not “get with the program,” it would be “easy to get enough signatures from her district. We might pursue that.” Katz was elected May 2012, and her term expires May 2018. The Ranger is still waiting for district to release the emails, which are public information. Also, neither Katz nor Leslie has returned phone calls requesting an interview.
The good, the bad, the technology
Technology broadens horizons but can dull creative thinking, campus IT director says.
“(Students) spend a lot of time on technology that they are not able to research without it.” She said students depend so much on search engines like Google that they are not By Solomon A. Wilson able to do work without them. sac-ranger@alamo.edu “They don’t really challenge their brains Using technology on a daily basis has … to explore something on their own,” she become second nature to just about everyone said. “They quickly turn to search engines in today’s society. for answers.” Step onto a college camVenkat said technolpus and you will see stuogy isn’t always negative; dents with their headstudents have access to phones, staring down just about anything they at a screen, or chatting desire through the Internet. away on the phone. People’s “The world is on their finIllustration by Alexandra Nelipa minds are so vulnerable to gertips,” she said. “Sitting in technology that they don’t realize how easily one place, they have access to everything it affects their brain actions. that is going on around them. Accessibility to Director of information technology Usha information has improved.” Venkat said technology can have positive and She said as a result, students become negative effects on people. more globalized. That experience impacts Venkat said students may miss out on their learning tremendously. skills when it comes to research or socializing. “As an IT director, I do feel that technology “If you look at the impact of technology is a valuable tool that can contribute to learnon the brain, I feel that somehow the creing,” Venkat said. ative side is not well exercised,” Venkat said. Adriana Ruiz contributed to this story.
News
10 • Nov. 17, 2014
www.theranger.org/news
City bans phones while driving Violations can cost up to $200. By Adriana Ruiz aruiz@alamo.edu
It will be illegal to drive while using any hand-held devices starting Jan. 1, according to an ordinance approved by the San Antonio City Council Nov. 6. According to the handsfree ordinance, “A person commits an offense if the person uses a hand-held mobile communication device to engage in a call, send, read or write a text message, view pictures or written text whether transmitted by internet or other electronic means, engage in gaming, or engage in any other use of the device while operating a moving motor vehicle.” Public Information Officer Douglas Greene said over the
past few years the city has experienced many minor and major accidents resulting from a distraction by the use of a cellphone. He said a 2010 ordinance prohibited texting and driving but the city wanted to take it a step further. “We wanted people to take their hands off their phone and focus more on the road,” Greene said. “Hence, this new ordinance which is not prohibiting people from talking on the phone at all; it’s just that they can’t talk on the phone by having one hand on the device.” He said people need a hands-free device or have their phone on speaker. That way people can focus a little bit more on the road. Greene said at the start of 2015, officers will issue warn-
ings and possibly information pamphlets on safe driving and the new ordinance. “It’s all in an effort to make the roads and freeways here in San Antonio a little bit more safer from distracted drivers,” he said. Greene said passing the new ordinance would make it easier for officers to enforce the law because talking on the phone is not as discrete as texting and driving. “It’s tough to enforce that when it is texting, but it’s pretty obvious now with this new ordinance when you’re driving by and you see someone with a phone up to their ear. So automatically there is no kind of excuse on the violation,” he said. “Obviously, it makes it easier for police to see someone on the phone.” Greene said if an officer
sees someone driving while talking on the phone, the officer could either give a warning citation or a ticket. A violation would cost a driver a maximum of $200. Texas prohibits the use of cellphones if the driver is under 18, in a school zone, operating a school a bus while
Jump shot
Photo Illustration by E. David Guel because the main focus is limiting the use of cellphones. “Overall, one of the main points of this ordinance is to get the point across that people need to be a little bit more focused whether they are on the phone or not. They need to pay attention when they are driving,” Greene said.
CANTU from Page 1
Biology sophomore Rey Esquivel attempts a shot over liberal arts freshman Juan Hernandez in the second half of Wednesday’s game between Southwest Texas Junior College and San Antonio College in Gym 1 of Candler. The Cowboys defeated the Rangers 99-97 in overtime. Esquivel put up 36 points. Read the story online. E. David Guel
Alamo Colleges police want you to follow, like and ‘friend’ them Campus police reach out through social media. By Adriana Ruiz aruiz@alamo.edu
Students, faculty and staff can get the latest campus safety tips and news updates through social media by following the Alamo Colleges Police Department on Facebook and Twitter. Chief of Police Don Adams said the department frequently posts general information on topics such as fire safety and bike safety along with videos and photos of their members. Adams said social media outlets allow them to communicate with the community more quickly as well as become more interactive. He said anyone can post on the Facebook and Twitter pages as long as it is tasteful. He said they are not limiting anyone from sharing posts that involve or inform the community. “Anyone can use it,” Adams
children are present or has had a driving permit for less than six months. Greene said the city does not have any plans to ban other driver distractions — eating or drinking, grooming, talking to passengers, reading, watching a video, adjusting the radio or using navigation systems —
Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa said. “We don’t restrict or block unless they post ugly things.” Adams said the department made the decision to create Facebook and Twitter pages because they provide an easier way of communicating with the community and relaying information. “I believe it will enhance our
communication,” Adams said. He said although social media is interactive, he would not recommend anyone use it to contact the police for help. “It is not a way of reporting emergencies because we do not have someone constantly monitoring,” he said. “(People should) still contact the police through the emergency number.” The emergency number is 210485-0911, and the non-emergency number is 210-485-0099. Adams said he and district Crime Prevention Officer Charlie McLennan are the only two with access to the police Facebook and Twitter pages. Since joining social media outlets, the police department has 112 likes on Facebook and 29 followers on Twitter. To like the police on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/alamocollegespd. To follow them on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/ AlamoCollegesPD.
says he inadvertently saved his “He first came across as a repreclassmate from committing suicide. sentative for GALA and San Antonio One day, Cantu sent him a “silly College as a whole, and he really ‘what’s up?’” text that stopped his stepped up to make sure GALA and friend from cutting his wrist, and Pride are fully informed,” Barcena he thanked Cantu for being his only said. friend. Founded in 2004 and incorpoHowever, that act of kindness rated in 2011, Pride San Antonio later worked against him. His was created to help the LGBT comfriend’s parents found his diary in munity. Pride was originally known his room, discovered he was gay and as Gay Pride SA, but rebranded blamed Cantu as an older influence itself to associate with other organiwho had impacted their 18-year-old zations such as Austin Pride. son’s lifestyle. Cantu’s friend moved All seven board members — from San Antonio after the incident. president, vice president, secretary, Cantu started at this college in treasurer and three directors — are the fall of 2012 as an education volunteers. Cantu replaced Bill major but later opted to study social Untiedt, who resigned because he work. was busy with organizations such He said he would like more as Mujeres Unidas, which provides options for social life, such as education and supevents for families port to those with in the LGBT comI wouldn’t change HIV/AIDS and munity who have for the world. other health conchildren. Even if there was cerns, Barcena said. Cantu wants a magic button to Pride San to work more with Antonio’s board Project H.O.T., a take me back, I and beneficiaries nonprofit orgawouldn’t press it. elect new board Anthony Cantu nization created members. Each especially for men GALA president director’s term lasts sexually involved Pride SA director one year and ends with other men. in August. The San AntonioCantu’s work as a Pride director based organization uses education involves planning events such as to stop the spread of HIV and prothe Carn-Evil, a Halloween block vides free and fast testing. party, as well as volleyball and In his spare time, Cantu enjoys softball tournaments. He hopes to reading biographies and autofocus on creating a more diverse biographies of celebrities such community with book clubs and as basketball Hall of Famer Wilt sports. Chamberlain. He also enjoys playCantu has served as an advocate ing basketball, an activity from his in the LGBT community, even before high school days. he came out himself. And despite an Cantu said he has a “pretty big early stumbling block, he recommitsupport group” such as the office of ted to education in his 20s. student life and his friends outside Though he dropped out of campus. O’Connor High School at 18, he Cantu said his lifestyle is enrolled three years later at San “bouncing off the walls, happy, Antonio Technology Academy and busy,” and he has a genuine pasgraduated as valedictorian. sion for life for “the first time in a Cantu said he felt ashamed long time.” of attending high school at 21. To achieve that same happiHowever, if he had graduated with ness, young adults should always his class at O’Connor, he said he be themselves, he said. wouldn’t have gone to college then “Who they are is important, because he needed time for himself. regardless of what anyone says,” While at the academy, Cantu he said. “They shouldn’t change for befriended a classmate who exhibanything.” ited signs of depression because GALA meets 3-4 p.m. every he had not told anyone he was gay. Wednesday in the faculty lounge of Their friendship grew, and Cantu Loftin Student Center.
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Nov. 17, 2014 • 11
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Math power Math tutor Madjid Djamer and accounting sophomore Bilal Sajid fist bump Nov. 6 in Room 121 of McCreless. Sajid and accounting sophomore Asif Marediya came to the math lab to study for their calculus test. Hours for the math labs are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Rooms 121 and 119 in McCreless. The developmental math lab is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday (after 5 p.m. go to Room 121), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. Neven Jones
Composing on caffeine
Body structure
Biology sophomore Alexis Morales studies anatomy and physiology at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Bio Spot, a biology lab, on the third floor of Chance. The lab is available for students to study and take late exams 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. “But the best time for students to come and study is noon,” said Abel Flores, biology freshman and work study student for the Bio Spot. Taylor Tribbey
Infographic by Ansley Lewis
Criminal justice sophomore Fred Martinez works Nov. 6 in the writing center’s open computer lab, Room 203 of Gonzales. The lab is open to the public and allows food and drink at workstations. Visitors are responsible for clean-up if a spill occurs. Tutoring services are by appointment and must be scheduled six days in advance by calling 210-486-1433. If a visitor is more than 10 minutes late, the spot is open to walk-ins. Most walk-ins occur when the center opens and just before the center closes, and the busiest times are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free coffee will be served during finals week. Ian Coleman
No SLACers Nursing sophomore Destiny Ypma works on an English composition assignment Tuesday at the Student Learning Assistance Center lab in Room 707 of Loftin. Ypma studies at the SLAC lab twice a week, saying “it’s quiet, convenient because it’s on campus.” The SLAC lab is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. A Banner ID number is required to use a computer and to schedule a tutoring appointment. Daniel Carde