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Volume 90 Issue 13 • Feb. 25, 2013
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Student charges civil rights violation
Heads up Students vote no guns on campus Pizza with the President will be noon-1:30 p.m. March 6 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center, Student Government Association announced Feb. 14 during Pepsi with the President. The monthly meeting allows SGA members to bring student concerns to President Robert Zeigler. Pizza with the President is an opportunity to ask questions about the college and grab a slice of pizza. The event is open to faculty, students and staff. At Pepsi with the President, SGA presented results of a survey that shows students of this college do not want a law passed allowing guns on campus, Vice President Mike Martinez said. On Feb. 13, 162 students completed surveys for student government during a Sweet Treats event. See more survey results at The Ranger Online. For more information, call SGA 210-486-0133.
Carlos Ferrand
SAIYM provides help for local immigrants The group formerly known as SUDA, Students United for the DREAM Act, have regrouped as one of two local chapters of the San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement. Group leaders felt SUDA was too focused on the DREAM Act and wanted to address other needs in the community. The new organization focuses on helping change the direction of immigrant youths through empowerment, education and networking. Kimberly Rendon, president of the chapter at this college, said, “We try to incorporate families and face issues for the parents and not just the students. It’s not easy what they go through.” She said the toughest roadblock is trying to get students involved. Raphael De La Garza, vice president of this chapter, said, “Our purpose is to inform people. Part of our struggle is trying to explain to people how anti-immigrant legislation affects everybody in the working class, not just immigrants.” SAIYM works with the Texas DREAM Alliance to oppose antiimmigrant legislation moving through the Texas Legislature. Weekly meetings are at 2:30 p.m. every Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. For more information, go to saiym210.org, email SAIYM210@ gmail.com or call 210-593-8202.
Benjamin Enriquez
/readtheranger
Female couple’s amorous behavior prompts police intervention. By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
Hill Harper, who portrays Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on “CSI:NY,” illustrates a common scene in which his character offers his opinion on cause of death. He said Tuesday at McAllister auditorium that he still gets frightened when the actors portraying dead victims get up and walk away. Stephanie Dix
Rackspace partners with ACCD for a $2.5 million job-training grant Grant will train 1,000 new workers and current employees. By Ingrid Wilgen
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Alamo Colleges and Rackspace formed a partnership to train 1,000 new Texas workers and current Rackspace employees through a $2.5 million job-training grant from the Skills Development Fund administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. Rackspace is an information technology hosting company based in San Antonio and located in a portion of the former Windsor Park Mall. Among other services, it provides cloud hosting, in which customers purchase computer services that have been delegated over the Internet. Christina Weaver, Rackspace public relations specialist, said a stipulation in the grant required the hiring of 1,000 new Texas employees within 24 months. Kay Hendricks, coordinator of communication, said workers trained by the program include software developers, Linux administrators and technicians. She said the grant provides training for technologies that support the Rackspace open cloud platform. Weaver said only Rackspace workers can take advantage of the training. She said job openings range from the lowest to the highest skill level.
Potential “Rackers” should visit rackertalent.com to get a feel for how it is to work at Rackspace, Weaver said. She said the training is scheduled for Alamo Colleges and Rackspace. Training Grant partnerships are formed when a business sees a training need and partners with a technical or community college to help meet the need. The partners work together to create a viable training program and then submit their proposal to the Texas Workforce Commission, the administrators of the state’s Skills Development Fund. The fund, started in 1996, is a part of the state’s economic development strategy to create new jobs and meet the industry demand for skilled workers. In the 2011 legislative session, the state funded the fund with $48.5 million in the 2012-2013 biennium budget. To see what jobs are available, visit rackertalent.com and click on careers. Because new jobs filled through the grant funding requires that new hires are Texas residents, Lisa Givens, director of communications of the TWC communications department, recommends that those applying for positions should make sure they are registered on workintexas.com, the TWC job search website. She said residency will be based on unemployment insurance taxes.
A student complained to the Alamo Colleges police department that an officer discriminated against a same-sex couple Feb. 18 in Loftin Student Center. Music business sophomore James “Tank” Lowe Sr. wrote in his complaint that about 5 p.m., he observed a female student dressed in blue scrubs and dark pink jacket express her dislike at the sight of the two female students engaged in kissing, calling it “disgusting.” Lowe’s letter stated a “student spoke to a police officer who was also in the kitchen at the time and to the cashier in the cafeteria. While she was in the line, this student also characterized the women’s behavior as ‘just wrong.’” No one could identify the complainant who approached the police officer in the cafeteria, but cafeteria workers said she had called the police to Loftin. The officer approached the couple. One student sat on the other’s lap, facing her and wrapping her legs around her. Lowe’s complaint stated the police officer told them to stop their public display of affection because “other people were getting offended,” and the couple was being “inappropriate and disruptive.” He also wrote the officer said the couple was portraying “indecency” and directed the women to sit in separate chairs. According to district Policy F.4.2.1, disruptive behavior is defined as “any behavior that unreasonably interferes with or adversely affects the learning environment.” Inappropriate behavior is defined as, “offensive, abusive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behavior or communication in any form, makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or
See CIVIL, Page 8
Adjunct Faculty Council chair receives stipend chancellor revoked Adjunct professor pushes for local budget control. By Rebecca Salinas
rsalinas191@student.alamo.edu
In exchange for a three-hour class that paid $4,100, journalism Adjunct Jerry Townsend, who serves as chair of Adjunct Faculty Council, agreed to accept a stipend of $2,500 to support his council organizing activities. Last spring, Townsend said President Robert Zeigler and Dr. Jessica Howard, former vice president of academic affairs, agreed to the arrangement. Townsend said he wanted to do more with Adjunct
Faculty Council, but he could not while teaching five classes in the fall. Thirty-five program coordinators were also promised stipends, but only Townsend and a few did not receive one, Zeigler said. Chancellor Bruce Leslie rejected Townsend’s stipend, but Zeigler said a “glitch” prevented the program coordinators from receiving checks. Zeigler notified Townsend that Leslie denied his stipend in December. In an email from Leslie to Townsend two weeks ago, Leslie said the multimillion dollar budget reduction for the district is making the district evaluate stipends.
Townsend said the American Association of University Professors sent an email to trustees Feb. 17, informing them of the situation. Program coordinators and Townsend were notified Tuesday that they still will be paid a stipend. Townsend, who had planned to address a complaint about the decision to the Alamo Colleges board of trustees at Tuesday’s regular board meeting, said Zeigler called him Tuesday morning to tell him Leslie changed his mind Monday night. Townsend decided not to address the board after he received word that he would receive the stipend.
After Tuesday’s board meeting, Leslie said he rejected the stipend because the district is trying to exercise better management of the college’s finances. Leslie said although he eventually approved the stipend for the fall semester, no new deals will be made. Townsend said all decision-making goes to Leslie, but he wants college presidents to decide what to do with their respective college budgets. “It should be someone involved … It should be someone who has good morale, makes timely decisions and is close to the facts and information,” he said. “That is the president’s job.”
SAConnected
2 • Feb. 25, 2013
www.theranger.org/calendar
Dance freshman Martin Esquivel and Jorge Aparicio, nursing and dance sophomore, lift Brittani McBee, dance and sociology sophomore, and dance freshman Iza Deleon during a Dance Club demonstration Tuesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Daniel Arguelles
Criminal justice sophomore Kevin Orozco practices a back stroke in a Swimming 2 class Tuesday in Candler. Pool recreational hours are from 1 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Monica Correa
Buffalo Soldier Vice President Turner McGarity shows science freshman Jeremiah Reeh and his brother Aaron, biology and dental science freshman, the use of some of the artifacts displayed during an encampment demonstration Monday in the mall. Monica Correa
Environmental science sophomore Mason Englemeier and physics freshman Spencer Sasser browse minerals Wednesday in the mall. Vincent Reyna
Today
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
SAC Event: HIV testing by the Center for Health Care Services 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Room 150 of Loftin.
SAC Event: Active shooter training and viewing of “Shots Fired” 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 218 A/B of nursing complex. Call 210-4861114.
SAC Event: Wild West Rodeo Roundup Fundraiser 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-486-0128.
PAC Event: Horticulture Club plant sale 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the greenhouse on the southwest side of Palo Alto, 1400 W. Villaret.
SAC Workshop: Student Performance Workshop noon in the auditorium. Continues every other Friday. Free. Call 210-486-0255.
SAC Event: Free lunch and Bible study at the United Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Spanish session 11 a.m. followed by English session 12:15 pm. Sponsored by the United Methodist Student Movement. Continues Thursdays. Call 210-733-1441.
SAC Event: Mass and Meal with the Rev. Jonathan Felux 12:15 p.m. in Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland. Call 210-736-3752.
Volunteer Oppor tunity: Volunteers needed to help students with financial aid forms 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Café College, 131 El Paso. Volunteers will be trained by Café College team. Contact Eyra Perez at eperez@saedpartnership.org.
SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128. SAC Event: “Attitude is Everything” leadership forum 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-4860126.
SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 2 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210-486-0668.
SAC Meeting: Glee Club meeting 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the employee lounge of Loftin. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-0126.
Event: Afford UIW session 6 p.m.-8 p.m in the auditorium of Mabee Library of the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway. RSVP at 210-805-1248.
SAC Performance: Faculty Recital sponsored by the department of fine arts at 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-0255.
March 4 SAC Event: Leadership forum 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-4860126. SAC Event: Brass Ensemble Concert 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.
SAC Event: Rosary with Reflection on the Mysteries and free lunch 12:15 p.m. in Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland. Call 210-736-3752. SAC Workshop: Speech workshop sponsored by the speech communication program 2 p.m.-3 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 203 of McAllister. Free.
SAC Event: Eating disorder seminar, presented by the Eating Disorder Center at San Antonio, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin at San Antonio. Call 210-486-0157.
Upcoming
SAC Event: Free scholarship workshop 10:30 a.m.-noon in Room 302 of nursing complex. Call 210-4860458.
SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy Program Peers 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Gonzales and 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday. Call 210486-0658.
SAC Event: Reservation-free gaming from 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Cyber Café of Loftin. Bring game, console and student ID. Continues Fridays through May. Call 210-4860129.
SAC Event: P r e s i d e n t ’s Roundtable 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin.
March 5
March 6
March 7
March 8
SAC Performance: Jazz Ensemble Concert 7:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.
SAC Event: Money Matters: Credit seminar 11 a.m.-noon in Room 150 of Loftin. Snacks will be served. Call 210-486-0126.
SAC Event: Recruiting event for annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Race for the Cure is April 6 in the Alamodome. Online registration is $35. Call 210-486-0157 or email Nereida Vega at nvega19@ alamo.edu. Register online at http:// komensanantonio.org.
SAC Performance: Choir concert sponsored by the department of fine arts at 1 p.m. in McAllister auditorium Call 210-486-1030.
SAC Performance: Percussion Ensemble Concert 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.
Black History Month
p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Author of “The Black Officer Corps.” Book signing follows. Feb. 27
Feb. 26 Dr. Isaac Hampton, military historian and history instructor, reading 10:50 a.m.-12:05
Comedian Ranier Pollard 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin for students age 18 and up. Call 210-486-0126.
For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Lounge, group study rooms, coffee shop added to library Fourth floor of Moody is scheduled for completion in July.
Feb. 25, 2013 • 3
SLAC lab renovations to be complete in March By Emily Rodriguez
By Emily Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
In addition to other renovations in Moody Learning Center, the second and fourth floors of the building are under construction. New renovations have given the library more space and have added new places for students to study both individually and in groups. Renovations of the reference desk on the second floor of Moody were complete at the start of the spring semester. New additions include a new reference area, six group study rooms, a large lounge area with new furniture where students can sit and read and individual study carrels. “The whole area is brand new. We moved the reference from one end of the building to the other. It’s brand new from carpeting, to the lighting, to the furniture,” library Director Eileen Oliver said. “The only things that are the same are the librarians and the books,” she said. A coffee shop also will be added to the second floor and will be located on the east side, separate from the library. Third floor construction is complete. Six group study rooms, study carrels,
tables and molding for art were added. “We made it a point to put molding on the walls so that we can hang artwork. We have an artist display their artwork every semester and hold a reception for them,” Oliver said. The fourth floor is under construction. Upon completion of the fourth floor, the floor will have six group study rooms, study tables and chairs, new seating and molding to display artwork. The fourth floor also will house the library’s special collections. A small stage also will be added to the floor. Oliver said librarians are not sure how they will go about booking events, but they will most likely allow departments to hold events there, such as poetry readings. Oliver said half of the fourth floor and half of the second floor will be completed in April. Fourth floor renovations are expected to be complete by July. “We’re very happy with the renovations. I think students will be pleased. Especially around exam time when they are trying to find a place to study,” Oliver said.
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
As part of the renovations of Moody Learning Center, the Student Learning Assistance Center lab is in its final stages of construction. Construction began in September and will continue until March. The SLAC lab, which is on the fifth floor of Moody, will move back to its original location on the seventh floor for its reopening March 18, which is the day students return from spring break. The move to the fifth floor was to accommodate renovation of the seventh floor. New furniture and computers will be installed in the lab. “Almost everything is new. New paint job, new carpet. We still had 1970s furniture,” SLAC Coordinator Jerry Guerra said. “Think about lime green chairs and bright yellow chairs.” Students can also expect to see one-onone tutoring rooms, a test proctoring room and an area for students who use laptops. The lab is equipped to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities act. Guerra said the new room would improve how the SLAC lab works and how it assists students. “We can provide better tutoring services,
better proctoring services, and just an allaround better service to the students. It will allow them to have a better experience at SAC with the newer stuff than some of the older things we have,” Guerra said. The fifth floor will become a mega lab for academic purposes. Basic programming such as the Microsoft Office software programs will be available. With the added space and equipment, the SLAC lab can introduce new services that will help students learn time management and study skills. The services are scheduled to begin this fall. “I hope students enjoy the new furniture and the better usage of space in SLAC,” Guerra said. “This will give us better opportunity to strengthen our tutoring services and provide study skills sessions and time management sessions, all these different things we have been trying to do but we were lacking some of the space that we will have. We’re very anxious to move up there.” The SLAC lab is open on the fifth floor until March 9. Hours will remain 7:30 a.m.8:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Guerra said a grand opening event is planned, but the time and date are still undecided.
Trustees approve exterior lighting upgrade The Alamo Colleges board of trustees tabled a gun resolution until it can be rewritten. See story online. By Rebecca Salinas
rsalinas191@student.alamo.edu
The Alamo Colleges board of trustees unanimously approved a contract in the amount of $623,268 for the purchase of equipment and services for an exterior lighting upgrade during its regular board meeting Tuesday in Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan. The contract was awarded to Grainger Service Holding Company to replace the old high-intensity-discharge fixtures with new more energy efficient fixtures around the district. The new equipment will be eligible for a rebate through the CPS Energy Commercial Lighting Rebate Program. The project is expected to be complete no later than Sept. 30. The board of trustees first passed Phase 1 of the project during the Jan. 24 regular board meeting. A $5 million loan from the State
Energy Conservation Office was approved to take energy cost reduction measures districtwide. In other news, trustees unanimously voted to table a resolution opposing the state legislation to allow weapons on campus, but a new resolution will be presented to the Legal Affairs Committee March 19. The resolution is in response to the proposed HB706 and SB182 of the 83rd Legislature. Also, the board unanimously approved travel expenses for trustees to attend the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development conference in Austin May 26-29. District 5 trustee Robert Zarate, Chancellor Bruce Leslie and Dr. Debra Morgan, director of strategic initiative and performance excellence, will attend and present at the
District 8 trustee Gary Beitzel says if guns are not allowed on campus, it will put employees and students in danger because they will not have the means to defend themselves Tuesday during the regular board meeting in Killen. Rebecca Salinas NISOD conference on “Alignment and Excellence, the Alamo Way.” As of Thursday, Zarate is the only trustee attending the conference.
According to the minute order, registration is $495 each, lodging is $194 a night at the Hilton Austin Hotel and meals are covered by an
$80 per diem for each. Board and committee agendas and minutes can be found at Alamo. edu/agenda.
Historic collections available By Emily Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The library in Moody Learning Center retains three collections that faculty and students have access to. The McAllister collection holds works written by Texans or about Texas. Since the library received the collection, other works have been added. The collection was donated to the school by Walter Williams McAllister Sr., mayor of San Antonio from 1961-1971 who helped found the Alamo Community College District. The Daughters of the American Revolution collection holds works that cover genealogy and American history primarily focused on New England. Reference Librarian Karen Balcom said the books from the collection are on deposit from the Alamo chapter of the organization. Another collection in the library is the Bookcase collection, and covers various top-
ics the library has developed over the years. “The books tend to be items that are expensive. There are books with colored plates in them and things of that nature,” Director Eileen Oliver said. “Over the years, we’ve discovered some books have routinely gone missing on certain topics. They are placed in that collection because they can’t be checked out.” The collections are on the fourth floor of Moody Learning Center. The exact number of books in each collection is unknown, but Oliver called them small collections. Students or staff can show a college ID to get access to the DAR collection. Nonstudents must receive special permission from the Alamo chapter of the organization. Students are not able to check out any books from the collections. For more information, call 210-486-0554.
A bus stop shelter across from Candler at San Pedro and Myrtle was removed Feb. 18 by VIA facilities crew, leaving users with no place to sit. Andy Scheidt, public information coordinator for VIA, said the shelter was taken down to be replaced by a new prototyped shelter to better suit the needs of users and should be completed by the end of the week. In the meantime, a temporary bus stop is posted. TressMarie Landa
News
4 • Feb. 25, 2013
www.theranger.org/news
Black history is world history, local history Alliance honors alumni of original Union. By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Rev. Hector Grant, from East St. Paul United Methodist Church, speaks about freedom and equality Monday in the craft room of Loftin. Monica Correa
Freedom and equality different, speaker says By Michael Peters
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
At Lincoln’s first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, the audience was eight people, his cabinet. “There were no microphones, nobody to text or email, but the impact was powerful,” the Rev. Hector Grant said Monday to the small group assembled for a Black History Month reading in Loftin. “I used to be a college professor, so I’m used to students signing up but not showing up; but whoever is here, we do what we are required to do,” the four-time author said. The audience punctuated his remarks with “amens” and laughs throughout. Grant opened by asking if anyone knew this year’s theme for Black History Month. This year’s theme is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.” Grant spoke about the slaves in 1863 who, after emancipation, “became the most ferocious soldiers” to ensure their freedom and livelihood.
Grant elaborated on the difference between freedom and equality. “Freedom is quite tangible, but equality is something different,” he said. “When I think about freedom, I’m thinking of chains falling off.” Grant continued, “Equality is a function of social relationships based on some kind of law, convention, or some kind of understanding of who people are.” Returning to the small attendance, Grant said, “There are murmurings that there is no great concern to celebrate or observe Black History Month, and it is proven by the absence of African-Americans,” he said. “There was a time when AfricanAmericans understood themselves to be part of a great people moving beyond the slave ships,” Grant said. “How do we learn to accept the gifts that we’re given by God and celebrate who we are?” Grant garnered some laughs as he talked about how he has “a thing against halitosis” because “it can be corrected; it is part of social grace.” “That can be cured, but my skin color is a gift from God,” Grant said, “and God doesn’t make mistakes.”
Until 1972, this college disallowed black students from gathering at a podium and from announcing their meetings. Students had to meet without the benefit of college support, sponsor advisement or official recognition. Three students from that era of this college’s history gathered with faculty, students and community leaders for a panel discussion on the history of the college’s Black Student Union Feb. 19 in the craft room of Loftin Student Center. Former City Councilmen Mario Marcel Salas and John Sanders along with Beverly Watts Davis, director of the United States Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, opened doors for students of color for future generations to follow them. The honored alumni created opportunity for students of color at this college and throughout the city. They all attended this college in the late 1960s to early 1970s. “It really was a war,” Salas said. He said leadership first came from their efforts inside the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, beginning in 1969. He said he had a key role in the organization, and the Black Student Union was finally recognized in 1972 as a result of the efforts of SNCC. The committee went on to help form black student groups on every campus in San Antonio except St. Mary’s University, which had its own leadership at the time. “Black history is not just for blacks,” Salas said. “Black history is world history.” He said people often do not know real history because it has been sanitized. He said African and Arabic names are often believed to be European or Mexican.
“Every ethnic group has played an important role,” he said. “We cannot erase anyone’s history.” Sanders said he was on a black basketball team coached by the Methodist Center coach C. W. Cunningham. They won the intramural championship and a trip to a citywide tournament. “School administration asked us to invite two members of each team we defeated to go with us to the citywide intramural tournament,” he said. “We asked, ‘why?’” Sanders said they knew why. If their black team had lost the tournament, then none of their team members would have been asked to attend the next tournament with any of the white teams. He said they boycotted classes because the college refused to let them go and represent the college in the tournament. Sanders said, “That was the beginning of not being underestimated, undervalued and marginalized.” He said the current day Black Student Alliance is carrying on tremendous work. The first sponsor of the Black Student Union of 1972 was Dr. Earl Wright, who is still a psychology professor at this college today. Sanders said, “All you need is to be committed, right and together.” Davis attended this college as a dual student from Trinity University and was the first black student to attend and live on campus there. Davis said, “My story is common with everyone here.” She was a student at this college along with Salas and Sanders, but chose to speak about her experiences at Trinity University. She said after she received an outstanding student award at Trinity, interesting things started
Upgrade for law enforcement space a priority By Solomon White
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
With sights set on constructing a new law enforcement training facility, the college administration has taken the first steps of drawing up a space-programming document, which identifies the space needed in a new building. Every other Wednesday, John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, meets with President Robert Zeigler and the college executive team for a “construction meeting” to talk about major construction projects. The next meeting will be Wednesday to continue discussing the construction of a new law enforcement building. “A lot of the projects take a long time. It may be three or four years by the time the project may be complete,” Strybos said. The prospect of constructing a new law enforcement building has been on the table for several weeks. Two main factors holding construction of a new building have been funding and location. “The challenge is, should we put a lot of money into an upgrade of the existing law enforcement training center, or would it be better use of our limited budgets to build a new building at the site where they have the firing range?” Strybos said. The First Responders Academy is at 15775 IH 35 in Von Ormy, about 18 miles south of this college. There is no estimated time of completion for this project.
First, construction documents from an architect must be submitted along with a building permit before any plans can be made for a new building, Strybos said. The college has a variety of possible funding sources. A general obligation bond requires an election by voters and possibly an increase in property tax to pay the debt service, he said. Revenue bonds were recently used to finance a parking garage at Northwest Vista College. “We just issued those revenue bonds about a year ago, so I don’t think we’ll be issuing anymore anytime soon,” Strybos said. Revenue bonds to fund a new building do not require approval by the voters. Another avenue of funding is a maintenance task note. These only require the approval of the Alamo Colleges board of trustees. “Maintenance task notes are only used for renovation; they cannot be used for new construction,” Strybos said. “If funding becomes a big enough challenge, one way to fund it would be to renovate it rather than build a new building.” The establishment of a new law enforcement building will remain on the administration’s agenda until a specific funding source can be decided. When this college built its parking garage with funds from the 2005 $450 million bond issue, ideas for including space for law enforcement and the police station were considered.
happening. Her on-campus dorm room was trashed and her car was destroyed. Someone set a fire just outside of her dorm room. Another incident involved a break-in. “They broke into my room and hung up a doll kind of thing with a noose around its neck and sign that said ‘go home nigger, don’t walk across the stage,’” she said. “The dean wanted to send me my graduation certificate.” She said, “‘No’ is only for a moment. Do whatever you have to do to get to ‘yes.’” One faculty member asked to say a few words. History Chair Paul Wilson came to the podium and said democracy is about removing barriers. He said he was mayor of a town years ago when he bumped into a woman he knew was “opinionated” against black people. He said he liked her African jewelry. She was irate and insisted she got it from a Navajo reservation. He said, “I’m a little man because damn I enjoyed that!” Laughter was heard throughout the audience. They enjoyed it, too. Wilson said words lose their meaning if they are used too much or too broadly. He said the word “hero” is one of those. “Think about the exceptional quality that label should grant,” he said. “People you honor today are true heroes in the very meaning of that word.” The panel of activists welcomed questions from the audience. An audience member asked how to get more educated about black activism, find and join groups. “I really do believe we have got to figure out how to use social media,” Davis said. “You are all very electronic.” Davis said, “Help us get the message to your generation about our history.”
Building maintained despite age, wear Maintenance work orders are up to date. By Solomon White
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
When visiting the law enforcement building, it is clear to see that the building is one of the oldest buildings on campus. According to facilities superintendent David Ortega, all maintenance work orders for the law enforcement training center, are up to date and completed. Ortega said he and his facilities team do not have a quality control inspector to observe and report maintenance problems regarding the law enforcement building. He said housekeeping or the employees who work in the building quickly reported all
safety and sanitary concerns. “The folks that work in their areas know how they want things. They let us know,” Ortega said. There have been 154 work orders for the law enforcement building in the last five years, but only five in the last year. Ortega said any recent complaints of maintenance issues in or around the building are either untrue or have not been formally reported. “We know the building is beyond its useful life. We are actually taking the steps necessary to replace it,” he said. Students can help keep the college in working order by notifying a staff member or professor in the building who will promptly file a work order with the facilities department.
Premiere
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Choir concert presented in McAllister Semester’s end concert scheduled for April. By Jahna Lacey
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Music Professor Cynthia Sanchez will be directing a choir concert called “Feathers and Songs” at 1 p.m. March 8 in the auditorium of the McAllister Fine Arts Center. There will be two choirs: the Concert Choir is the larger group and the Chamber Singers consists of voice majors. Sanchez said students must audition and be invited to sing with the smaller, select group accompanied by music Professor Mary Lou Russell. “My job as an accompanist is to make the choir sound better,” Russell said. “It depends on the piece of music, how it is arranged. Generally, I provide the harmonies and rhythm foundation. Sometimes, I simply enhance the performance in the choral parts, but sometimes the choir only sings the melody, and the accompaniment provides the rest.” Sanchez said the choir concert program consists of songs about birds and will feature a flutist and violinist on two pieces of the jazzy music. The choir program includes songs such as The Beatles’ “Blackbird” and “Turtle Dove” by Linda Spevacek. “Music majors benefit greatly by being in our choirs,” Sanchez said. “They learn choral repertoire, performance practice in a variety of genres, vocal technique, sight reading, intonation and rhythmic accuracy, and rehearsal technique of an ensemble,” she continued. “Choir is the best part of our day. We work hard and have a blast.” She said there will be an end of semester concert for music students at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the auditorium of McAllister. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210486-0264
Feb. 25, 2013 • 5
Catholic Student Center hosts picnics Tuesday By Henry M. Martinez Jr. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
What can be better than food for the heart and mind? Students surrounded a bluecheckered tablecloth layered with cold cuts and blueberry pie Tuesday for “Picnic and Parables” at the Catholic Student Center. “Picnic and Parables” is a free weekly event that happens at 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the center. Meagan Halbardier, freshman criminal justice major and vice president, said the Catholic Student Association has a guest speaker, usually a nun, who discusses parables or religious stories that teach a moral. Students discuss how the message affects their lives, and share a picnic meal afterwards. Halbardier, has been involved in the association for two semesters. She said these types of events help students “bond more” and get “more connected to people.” Halbardier said the number of students that attend can range from 15 to 20, and the event is usually outside.
Tuesday’s high was 67°F at 2:05 p.m., so 10 students picnicked on the living room floor. Sister Pat Connolly, DC (Daughters of Charity) was Tuesday’s speaker. Connolly read Matthew 6:7-15 and Jeremiah 29:11-13 from the Bible. She stimulated conversation with a picture of the “Creation of Adam,” a statue of Jesus holding Adam in his lap in Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France. Connolly said the unfinished Adam points to the work God still has to do in each of us. This open forum and relaxed atmosphere allowed students to express their own thoughts as well as listen to the thoughts and comments that Connolly presented. While students spoke their minds, the conversations were not linear. Biology freshman Crystal White was among the students in attendance. White said when Connolly was explaining the parable, it opened her eyes about prayer and that even though God knows our prayers, he
Cast members of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” rehearse for April performances Monday in McAllister. Directed by theatre Instructor Ronald
Sister Patricia Conelly goes to the Catholic Student Center to share ideas from the Bible with participating students and then eats at the Picnic and Parables Wednesday. Monica Correa still wants to hear them. “Last night, I prayed a little bit longer. I really put some thought into it,” White said. Students who spoke often had other students branch off their ideas and kept conversations going, allowing for broad interpretations. When asked what she wanted students to know about the event, Halbardier said “free food.”
“Picnic and Parables” is at 12:15 p.m. every Tuesday at the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and offers students Mass and meal every Friday at 12:20 p.m. For more information, call 210736-3752.
Watson, this slapstick comedy tells the story of falling in love with the girl next door and a case of mistaken identity. Stephanie Dix
Music professors perform piano recital
Lunch with no pressure
By Jahna Lacey
By Benjamin Enriquez
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The music department is hosting a faculty Duo Piano recital 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. Music instructors Dr. Mark Alexander, Cynthia Ellis and Chair Mary Lou Russell will be playing a repertoire alongside guest pianist Julianne Vanden Wyngaard of Michigan on two 9-foot Steinway concert grand pianos. The four musicians will be playing on the two pianos. Russell said one piano, which she calls “Reba,” was made in the 1950s and has been rebuilt and the other piano, which she calls “Steinway and Sons,” was purchased a few years ago when she went on a trip to New York. “The music we are playing spans the ages from Bach to the present,” Russel said. “We are ending the program with an eight-hand arrangement of ‘The Ride of the Valkyries’ by Wagner.” Cynthia Ellis said she has been teaching piano classes, private piano lessons and keyboard sessions in the college’s music department for 13 years. Ellis also teaches young students at the International Academy of Music and at her home studio. She said she received a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas and performs as both a soloist and an accompanist.
She said other composers featured in the performance include Brahms, Poulenc, Benjamin, Rorem, Rimsky-Korsakov and Chevillard. Russell said she has been playing the piano since she was 6 years old. She said she received a bachelor’s degree in music from University of the Incarnate Word and later on received a master’s degree in piano from the University of Texas in San Antonio. “I started teaching music at San Antonio College at age 24,” Russell said. “I had a couple of years off, but I began in 1971.” Alexander is an adjunct pianist at San Antonio College and Our Lady of the Lake University. He attended the University of Michigan where he received a bachelor’s degree in music. He later received a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin. Wyngaard said she began her musical study at the age of 4 and continued to play the piano at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. She later attended the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Michigan State University. Wyngaard was a concert pianist at the Grand Valley State University in 1967 when she joined the music faculty. For 12 years, she served as the chair for the music department of Grand Valley State University. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-486-0244.
This semester’s Hot Potato series begins this week. The Methodist Student Center is All are welcome to attend and stay an on-campus organization open to for a free, fully loaded baked potato at everyone, but it is not simply a religious the end of the program. center. Speakers talk for 20-30 minutes fol“We are concerned with lowed by 20 minutes of disawareness and social justice cussion. issues,” Isha Ramirez, student Tuesday’s speaker is ecointern and political science nomics Professor Susan sophomore, said. “Church isn’t Spencer, who will be discussjust about Jesus. It’s also about ing the current economy. the people.” On March 5, Khaligh will Nearly 30 years ago, the be speaking on the conflict retired Rev. Dr. David L. Semrad in Syria, including potential and current political science Khaligh. insight into its causes. Professor Asslan Khaligh came Khaligh said, “I will be up with the idea of having speakers talking about its history, why it’s called come to the Methodist Student Center the Arab Spring, and how things like to discuss hot topics in the nation and this have happened out there before.” abroad. A full list of speakers and topics is on They called it the Hot Potato Lunch The Ranger Online. series. Hot Potato sessions are from 12:15 But years before that, guest speakp.m.-1:15 p.m. every Tuesday at the ers had been visiting the Methodist Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap Student Center to lead discussions on Place. controversial issues. The series evolved For more information, call 210-733from the Faith and Life Forums series. 1441. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Student Code
6 • www.theranger.org/news
BRIBERY Influencing or attempting to influence an employee in a specific exercise of official duties by offering any benefit.
INSUBORDINATION OF COLLEGE OFFICIAL
OBSTRUCTIONS OF DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES
FLAT AFFECT OR EXTREME LACK OF RESPONSE
CRIMINAL STREET GANG ACTIVITY Three or more with an identifying sign or leadership associating with criminal activities.
HARASSMENT
Failure to comply with instructions of conduct officer.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
CHEATING
Visual material that depicts a child younger than 18 years of age who is engaging in sexual conduct.
Act of deceit by which a student attempts to misrepresent academic skills or unauthorized copying.
ARSON
INTERFERING
Starting any fire, regardless of whether the fire continues after ignition or causes an explosion.
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF RESOURCES Inappropriate use of information technology resources.
WITH AC OFFICIALS
Failing to comply with directions of employees acting in performance of their duties.
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR Offensive or insulting behavior making the recipient feel upset or threatened.
STALKING
ASSAULT
Engaging in activity reasonably regarded as threatening, including following someone.
Causing bodily injury to another or threatening another with imminent bodily injury.
Disciplinary actions
UNAUTHORIZED PHOTOGRAPHY
VERBAL THREATS
Photographing or recording another without consent.
DISCRIMINATION
INCOHERENT SPEECH
Engaging in inappropriate behavior or communication, or harassment other than sexual harassment.
PUBLIC INDECENCY
WRITINGS THAT CONVEY INTENTIONS TO DO HARM
Sexual contact, sexual conduct or prostitution.
BOMB THREAT
RIOT
Possessing or deploying any container that may reasonably be perceived to contain an explosive.
The assembly of sev or more persons resul in conduct which creat immediate danger of d age to property or inj to persons.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
THREAT OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR
Damaging or destroyin gible property of anoth tampering with the tan property of anothe
EJECTING OBJECTS From buildings or vehicles on college district property or at a college district sponsored activity.
AGGRESS BEHAVI
COLLUSION DEPRESSION
FABRICATION Intentional misrepresentation of any information.
DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR
REFUSAL TO VACATE
FORGERY
Failing to leave a classroom, office or building when requested to do so by an employee.
Engaging in or registering the transfer or publishing of a writing that is a result of forgery.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF KEYS Possession, duplication, distribution, or use of keys to district property.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE Prohibited on district property or at sponsored activities.
After a complaint is filed, the chief student affairs officer conducts an investigation. Once completed, the officer either dismisses the allegation or determines appropriate disciplinary action. An appeals process is in place. Administrative hold: Registration, transcript or degree may be withheld Admonishment: An oral or written reprimand to the student Bar against readmission: Placed on academic dismissal or expelled and continues to be a threat Community or college service: Complete a predetermined number of service hours Disciplinary probation: Further violations
BULLYING
ISSUING A BAD CHECK Issuance of a check for payment when there are not sufficient funds in the bank.
EXTREME WITHDRAWAL
Assisting committing act of academic dishon such as paying someo acquire a test or takin test for someone els
ERRATIC BEHAVIOR
FRAUDULEN SUBMISSION ACADEMIC WO
Preparing or selling a demic work for anyth of value.
HAZING UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY into district property, or allowing entry to others.
Soliciting or attempting to aid another in hazing or failing to report known hazing incidents to the administration.
will result in more severe disciplinary action Educational enrichment: Self-help workshops, seminars, counseling, etc. Expulsion: Permanent severance from all of the district colleges. A permanent notation of expulsion placed on the student’s transcript. Restitution: Reimbursement for damage to or misappropriation of funds or property. Reimbursement may take the form of appropriate service to repair or compensation for damages. Suspension of privileges: May include use of computer labs, library or participation in co-curricular events. Suspension: Prohibited from attending any college related activities.
EXTREME RUDENESS
A faculty mem complete an Integrity Report evidence to the r Once the faculty informs the student about th an appointment is schedule student, who will then have tunity to explain the inciden After hearing the student tion, the faculty member wi option to dismiss the allega a warning to the student, r grade on an assignment or student’s overall grade for th If a faculty member doe
e of Conduct TAMPERING WITH SAFETY EQUIPMENT
ven lting tes an damjury
fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes or smoke or heat detectors anywhere on district property.
SIVE IOR
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR Any behavior interfering with the learning environment.
FRAUD Using a credit or debit card not issued to that person and is not used with the consent of the cardholder.
g an nesty, one to ng a se.
HOSTILE BEHAVIOR
POSSESSION OF A WEAPON Prohibited as defined by the penal code, except as provided in Policy G.1.4 regarding concealed handguns in certain areas.
NT OF ORK
SUICIDAL IDEATION
acahing
S
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Attempting to negotiate a stolen check.
toward any member of the college district community.
Officers advocate for students, student conduct officer says fduarte3@student.alamo.edu
N
R
NEGOTIATING BAD CHECK
By Faith Duarte
L F
ng tanher or ngible er.
Feb. 25, 2013 • 7
THEFT Appropriating property of another without the owner’s consent.
FALSE IDENTIFICATION Obtaining identifying information of another without the consent, to harm or defraud another.
PLAGIARISM The unauthorized or undocumented use of another author represented as original work.
ALARMING INFATUATION WITH FIRE OR FIREARMS
FALSE ALARM OR REPORT Reporting of a crime or wrongdoing or present, past, or future bombing, fire, offense, or other emergency that is false.
OBSCENE MATERIALS Material the average person would find appeals to the interest in sex, depicts or describes sexual acts or is offensive.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT Use of abusive, vulgar language that by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace.
SEXUAL ASSAULT Assault that involves sexual contact of another person.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH DISTRICT POLICY Procedures including traffic, parking and the use of district facilities.
SELFDESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR Cutting, burning, etc.
Three student conduct officers serve to protect students’ right of due process, student conduct officer Manuel Flores said. Flores, Amy Chaye Peña and Tracy Floyd serve as student conduct officers in the office of student affairs in Room 309 of Fletcher Administration Center, which is overseen by Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academics and student engagement. “We are primarily a student advocate, but then we also hold students responsible for their conduct,” Flores said. “Conduct as in obeying the law, obeying board policy, obeying the student code of conduct.” Flores said the student conduct umbrella has multiple components, including student complaints, petitions, nonacademic misconduct and concerns pertaining to Strategies of Behavioral Intervention. SOBI addresses “concerning or threatening behavior” of a student. “Behavior is observed that might require the attention of a counselor or an adviser,” Flores said. Student conduct officers oversee nonacademic misconduct while academic departments oversee academic misconduct, he said. Flores said he oversees nonacademic complaints, Floyd handles SOBI com-
plaints, and Peña handles petitions. “They (students) have the right to complain about it and bring resolution to that complaint,” he said. Flores said any police reports made as a result of completing an incident report ultimately go to Dr. Emma Mendiola, dean of student affairs. “Depending on the severity of the concern, they always have the option to, if they feel it’s a police issue, they can do it at any time,” he said. During the investigatory process of a complaint, Flores said student conduct officers examine possible police reports that may have been filed, interview witnesses and review testimony from the complainant and the defendant. “I am glad that we work at an institution that has their ear to the ground in terms of appropriate behavior, and our role is to try to generate awareness of how important behavior is … as part of the academic process,” Flores said. “We advocate proper behavior. Teachers do it; administrators do it, so I feel fortunate that we work at a place where that’s on the (front) burner.” “We want this to be an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning,” Flores said. “And conduct, on the part of all of us, is an important factor in that.” For more information, call the student affairs office at 210-486-0930.
The student affairs office is in Room 309 of Fletcher Administration Center. For more information, call the office at 210-486-0930. The infographic is an abridged version of the student code of conduct. For a full list of definitions and a link to the incident report form, visit http://www.alamo.edu/main.aspx?id=17226
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Intentional violation of college policies, such as tampering with grades, misrepresenting identity, or obtaining and distributing tests.
NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Any violation not associated with academic performance.
GAMBLING Playing and betting for money or other thing of value at any game played with a gambling device.
mber must Academic t and attach report. y member he process, ed with the e an oppornt. t’s explanaill have the ation, issue reduce the reduce the he class. es not dis-
ALARMING REFERENCES TO BOMBS/ AMMUNITION
miss the charge, the faculty member will submit the form to the chief student affairs officer. Should the student choose to contest the decision, the allegation goes to the department chair, or the respective dean if the faculty member is also the department chair. The chair or dean will have five days to make a decision. If the student disagrees with the chair’s decision, an academic integrity panel, composed of two full-time faculty members, one staff member, one student support staff member and one student from the Academic Integrity
FRAUDULENT STATEMENTS Making a materially false or misleading written statement to obtain property or credit.
Committee, will hear the student’s case. The decision of the panel is final. Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academics and student engagement, said Thursday President Robert Zeigler appoints members to the panel. When selecting students to participate, Zeigler appoints students in leadership roles, Vela said. “We’ll try to use all leadership organizations,” he said. “We try to focus on folks that have been through some type of leadership. “Normally, we go to Student Government Association or we go to PTK,” Vela said.
STRATEGIES OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION Concerning or threatening behavior.
Vela said students, faculty and staff can anonymously file a SOBI complaint with the office of student affairs if they observe suspicious behavior on campus. “If they see something that’s not right and they want to report it (because) it’s suspicious or inappropriate, that’s the avenue to report it,” he said. Once the complaint is filed, Vela said the officers convene to determine a strategy for conducting an investigation of the complaint.
During the investigation process, the conduct officers may interview other students and staff. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Vela said counselors may intervene to assist the student or refer the student to a community resource for health services. “At that point, they (student conduct officers) become almost like social workers to try to help the situation,” he said. “It could go from discipline to social work to mental health to medical services.”
News
including text, a lab manual, exams, study guides, chapter questions and more. “This book was designed and created with the national standards for foreign language eduBy Benjamin Enriquez cation by the American Council on the Teaching sac-ranger@alamo.edu of Foreign Languages,” Montemayor said. If one were to check their textbook they The council’s guidelines are composed might recognize the authors’ names. They of the five C’s: Communication, Culture, might even be in one of their classes. Comparison, Communities and Connections. Some classes offer required texts written In the textbook, the authors fully integratby course instructors while others do not. ed art, music, literature, and architecture into However, there is one book in parthe subject and vocabulary context of ticular that has expanded beyond this every chapter. college: “Para Siempre: Introducción Montemayor said, “We were trying al Español, Second Edition.” to represent a good balance of the 21 Spanish Professors Marino De Spanish-speaking countries.” León and Marta G. Montemayor The text is written so that students wrote the content. will acquire the skill and oral producMontemayor has 33 years of tion of the Spanish language, added teaching experience with 12 at this Montemayor Montemayor. “Teaching language is college, and De Leon has 48 cumulalike building a wall. If the basics are tive years with 44 being at this colnot solid, there will be holes,” she said. lege. “Para Siempre” has more than The textbook is used at almost all 1,000 pages for two semesters of Alamo Colleges, and has branched out Spanish classes, Spanish 1300 and onto the national level at Miami Dade Spanish 1310. College and Houston Community De León and Montemayor took College District, providing recognition time out of their holidays, weekends for the college and its professors. De León and after class hours, while continuPublisher Cengage Learning ing to teach full-time. picked up the text for production because of De León, an avid marathon runner, said its mix of basic grammar and vocabulary with he stopped running so he could focus on the useful dialogue, and beefed it up with high- textbook. He said, “All sales of the book at the grade online technology offered in the e-book SAC bookstore are going to a scholarship fund package. that will benefit students from the foreign The methodology in the book is different language department.” than others and stands out. De León said, “We The title “Para Siempre” means “Forever.” wanted to make the objective of the class the De León and Montemayor chose this name real communication and real culture of it.” because they did not want students to simply Writing a book to get picked up for nationlearn the language just to pass their classes. al publication is not a simple process. Instead, they wanted them to learn Montemayor and De León spent four Spanish “forever” so they could take it with years ofAChoiceForWomen_Ad:Layout collaboration to compile the content, them for the rest of lives.1 27166 1 1/25/13 3:11 PMtheir Page
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ing said the officer was trying to be as professional as possible but appeared to not know how to address them. “Officers are being used as a tool of discrimination,” Orozco said. In an interview Thursday, Lowe said, “There was no nudity, no inappropriate touching, and other people do it all the time, but when it’s two girls doing it, people want to grab a hold of that.” Deputy Chief Joe Curiel, administrative division, and Deputy Chief Joe Pabon, patrol division, were unavailable for comment. District ethics compliance officer Eduardo Cruz said he did not want to comment because it was a police issue. College President Robert Zeigler said Chief Don Adams gave him a verbal report of the incident and it was “something he would look into.” Zeigler said his experience with the police department has always been good. They “take appropriate action.” He said when someone has a complaint about behavior, it is a concern because employees and students are expected to behave responsibly. “The officer did what he felt was right,” Zeigler said.
vulnerable, which undermines their self-control and which would cause a reasonable person to suffer stress.” Public indecency is defined as “sexual contact, sexual conduct or prostitution.” Sgt. Robert Tomlinson said one female student was “straddling the other’s lap,” her pants were sliding down, and they were heavily “making out.” Tomlinson said no police report was filed. The officer who responded to the call was not available for comment, but no one The Ranger spoke to said the woman’s pants were lowered to an indecent level. Fresh Taste manager Socorro Valdillez said she did not care about the sexual orientation of the students but found the behavior to be inappropriate on campus. Advertising and public relations sophomore Rene Orozco, who serves as president of Gay Allied Lesbian Association, said he spoke with the two women after the incident. He recommends diversity training for this college. He said the girls who were told to stop kiss-
clients are age 20 and older.
96
years providing women, men, of clients at or below 150% and young people of the federal poverty level. with the education, information, and services needed to make of all health services responsible choices about sex are contraceptive. and reproduction.
76%
34%
6 million+
activists, supporters, and donors.
900,000 clients served by
Planned Parenthood-supported partners in 10 developing countries.
of clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancies.
3%
of all services are abortion services
584,000
estimated number
Spanish professors followed national standards for foreign language education.
CIVIL from Page 1
8 in 10
Local textbook goes national
www.theranger.org/news
3/4
8 • Feb. 25, 2013
of unintended pregnancies averted by contraceptive services each year.
in male clients 105% increase from 2000 to 2010.
www.theranger.org/editorial
Feb. 25, 2013 • 9
.org
the
ranger
Editorial
Editor Rebecca Salinas Managing Editor Faith Duarte News Editor Jennifer Luna Sports and Entertainment Editor Carlos Ferrand Calendar Editor Katherine Garcia Staff Writers Benjamin Enriquez, Tiffani Harvey, Jahna Lacey, Megan Leonard, Henry Martinez, Michael Meinen, Kevin W. Pang, Michael Peters, Emily Rodriguez, Paula Christine Schuler, Carolina D. Vela, Solomon White, Ingrid Wilgen Photographers Monica Correa, Vincent Reyna Photo Team Daniel Arguelles, Stephanie Dix, Christina Flores, Juliana Day Huff, Tress-Marie Landa, Adriana Ruiz Illustrator Juan Carlos Campos Production Manager Mandy Derfler Multimedia Editor Riley Stephens Web Editor Alma Linda Manzanares ©2013 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published 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.
MetaMedia Journalism drives change After reading an article in the Feb. 11 issue of The Ranger about Peer Educators facing a condom shortage, members of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation helped distribute free condoms on National Condom Day Feb. 13. This is a prime example of the purpose of journalism — to inform the public and incite change within the community. Journalists give voices to the voiceless and share the stories of those who may not be able to tell them. The responsibility lies within the reporter to document the truth objectively, even if the reporter finds information that the subject may deem unflattering. It is a reporter’s duty to cover news objectively, and during the news gathering
process, the reporter might discover information that may ultimately change the expected angle of the story. The truth may be a difficult pill to swallow for some, but news coverage gives the public a chance to improve conditions within society. It is a responsibility of journalists to document the welfare of society, as it is a responsibility of the public to be informed and act on what is reported. Reporters aim to document the truth no matter what information comes out of the news gathering process. They serve as watchdogs. After all, if a journalist doesn’t report on today’s issues, who will?
Juan Carlos Campos
Use counseling services It is fortunate this college still offers free wellness and mental health counseling to students. Students should take advantage of the personal counseling, counseling groups, academic counseling, advising and career counseling this college has to offer. These sessions are free for students who are enrolled here and no appointment is needed. Sleep, diet, exercise, spirituality, relationships, stress, time management, drug and alcohol use are only some of the things that affect your wellness. Students encounter difficult everyday situations, so counseling from staff with doctorate and master’s level qualifications will teach students how to survive and conquer challenges. Other resources this college offers are the workout room on the first floor of Loftin Student Center, entertainment in Loftin, intramural sports, plays, music recitals and visual art exhibits. During a group counseling session Feb.
5, counseling services Coordinator Melissa Sutherland said a counseling session can cost as much as $100 in the city’s charging market. This college is also the only one in the district to offer a free personal counseling program. The counseling center is on the first floor of Moody Learning Center and is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but stays open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The center is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday of the month. For more information, visit the counseling and advising webpage under the Current Student tab at alamo.edu/sac. James Brandenburg, personal counselor and certified poetry therapist, offers group poetry therapy at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursday monthly at Barnes and Noble, 6065 N.W. Loop 410. For more information, email Brandenburg at jbrandenburg2@alamo.edu. Take advantage of these counseling options, not only are they free, but they will teach students to live a better quality of life.
Tram link to higher ed Viewpoint by Faith Duarte fduarte3@ student.alamo.edu
Ever since I joined The Ranger in fall 2011, I decided that Texas State University would be my first choice as an in-state school when I was ready to transfer. My plans were simple: I would graduate in May with an associate degree in journalism, transfer to the university in the fall and complete my upper division requirements in two years. Of course, life often gets in the way and events don’t always happen as
planned. The Bobcat Tram Interurban service at Texas State provides roundtrip transportation from San Antonio to San Marcos and Austin to San Marcos. The university will end its shuttle services to commuters and the general public Aug. 26. The end of the shuttle service could affect potential transfer students from this college who were counting on the service to attend classes there without having to drive or move to San Marcos. According to The University Star, a survey of interurban commuters found that 25 percent of respondents said they would not be able to attend classes without the tram service. I, along with two other Ranger editors graduating this semester, would have been among those students who
used the tram service to attend classes in San Marcos. Briefly, we pondered the possibility of scheduling classes together to ease the transition of transferring to a university. At the moment, I do not own a car, nor do I have the means to buy one. I intend to avoid debt after graduation by not applying for loans so that also is out of the question. As of right now, it seems I won’t be able to experience walking those infamous steep campus hills I hear other transfer students complain about. I won’t be able to use the university’s databases and have free online access to the Associated Press Stylebook — a bible for journalists — and I’ll have to continue to buy a new copy every year to remain up-to-date on any changes in AP style. The now more-than-unlikely possibility of attending Texas State has me considering different future options, though I do not view the entire experience negatively. Maybe I will take a semester off after graduation and save up in hopes of attending Texas State a semester later than I expected. Otherwise, I should take this as a sign and instead apply to my first choice school, San Francisco State University. I know the Bay Area Rapid Transit service will keep running for the foreseeable future. At least, I think it will.
Pulse
10 • Feb. 25, 2013
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Gym shorts Final scores Wednesday Men’s basketball St. Philip’s 103 Southwest Texas Junior 96 Northwest Vista 76 Incarnate Word 59 Women’s basketball St. Philip’s 46 Southwest Texas Junior 60 Boxing Golden Gloves sub-novice division Daniel Vasquez over Juan Morales Golden Gloves novice division Sean Engleka over Kindall Harris Feb. 17 Men’s baseball Game 1 San Antonio 2 Victoria 6 Game 2 San Antonio 6 Victoria 2 Women’s soccer San Antonio 4 Internacional 1
Upcoming games Men’s basketball Wednesday Palo Alto at Southwest Texas Junior, 8 p.m. at La Forge Hall and gymnasium, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde Northwest Vista at Victoria, 8 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Incarnate Word at St. Philip’s, 8 p.m. at health and fitness center Women’s basketball Wednesday Northwest Vista at Victoria, 6 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Incarnate Word at St. Philip’s, 6 p.m. at health and fitness center Palo Alto at Southwest Texas Junior, 6 p.m. at La Forge Hall and gymnasium, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde Women’s volleyball Northwest Vista at Victoria, 7 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Incarnate Word at St. Philip’s, 7 p.m. at health and fitness center
Carlos Ferrand
Colt Tillman, catcher and kinesiology sophomore, was unable to catch a pop-up in front of home base, allowing the batter to reach first base at the top of the seventh inning Feb. 17 at the Central Catholic baseball field. See story online. Daniel Argulles
Students receive discount flu, vitamin shots The benefits outweigh the fear of an injection, medical assistant says. By Katherine Garcia
kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu
For some people, getting a shot is their worst nightmare. Students were offered Vitamin B-12 shots for $10, Vitamin C shots for $15, B-complex shots for $25 and flu shots for $15 Tuesday in Room 150 of Loftin Student Center. Kaiser Medical Management, who offered the shots at a discount, offers the cheapest shots in town, said Shenade Acosta, Kaiser medical assistant. Despite this, some still fear getting their shots. “It’s a little needle, but some people are scared of needles,” Acosta said. The benefits of the shots outweigh the fear of getting them. Acosta said Vitamin C boosts your immune system and acts as an anti-depressant. Nereida Vega, education support specialist for the health promotions office, explained that Vitamin B and B-complex are important because they are not commonly found in a student’s diet. Vitamin B and B-complex were the shots students and faculty requested the most.
Above: St. Philip’s coach Jimmy Alcala urges his team to slow down and play smart basketball during a timeout. Alcala’s team made the adjustments and held on to win 103-96 Wednesday at St. Philip’s health and fitness center. Right: Criminal justice sophomore Mark Anthony rises above the defenders on his way to an 18-point night. See story online. Carlos Ferrand
Addiction counseling sophomore Jimmy Barrett is injected with Vitamin C by Shenade Acosta of Kaiser Medical Management Tuesday in Room 150 of Loftin. Barrett is surprised by the pain of a quick puncture. Kaiser Medical Management offers vitamin and flu shots once a month on campus. Juliana Huff B vitamins also aid in heart health and cancer prevention. “When you get the injection, it goes straight to your bloodstream, so you get more of the benefits,” Vega said. The benefits of the vitamins last for a month, while the flu shot lasts for a year, she said. Vega said this year’s flu season is lasting longer than last year’s.
“When you receive a flu vaccine, it helps you both protect against the flu and protect those not immune to it,” Vega said. She said the turnout of 13 people was better than expected, adding that she hopes to offer shots to students next month as well. One flu shot was administered, and the rest were vitamin B or B-complex. For more information, call 210-486-0157.
Accounting sophomore Julissa Garrett takes a jump shot, adding 2 of the 18 points she scored in the second half during St. Philip’s loss to Southwest Texas Junior 60-46, Wednesday at St. Philip’s health and fitness center. See story online. Carlos Ferrand
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Pulse
Feb. 25, 2013 • 11
Almost 50% of rapes reported, educator says Guilt and fear are among survivor reactions. By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
Photo illustration by Monica Correa and Vincent Reyna
Dating should be exciting and fun, especially in college. However, college students should take precautions so the date does not become a nightmare. Dating someone is about getting to know them, and while some people have honest intentions, others do not. Jennifer Tristan, educator for the Rape Crisis Center, said, “One in four women in college are likely to be raped as opposed to one in six women in the general public.” Tristan said in college, 90 percent of victims know who the rapist is. She said about 50 percent of rapes are reported. Tristan said fear is primarily the reason rapes go unreported. Victims fear not being believed, the legal system and possible retaliation from their rapist. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network website reports 207,754 people suffer a sexual assault each year.
According to the network, rape has decreased since 1993 by 60 percent, however, every two minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Of 100 rapes, 46 have been reported, 12 lead to an arrest, nine get prosecuted, five lead to a felony conviction and three rapists will go to prison, the network reports. Jane Shafer, volunteer program coordinator for the Family Assistance Crisis Team of the Special Victims Unit of the San Antonio Police Department, said the number is low because jurors have their own definitions of rape, and some cases are dropped because of their differing views. Shafer said some jurors will not consider the incident a rape if the victim was intoxicated or wore provocative clothing. “I know it’s a 1900s way of thinking, that the victim was asking for it, but people still think that way,” Shafer said. She said other cases are dropped because prosecutors say there is not enough evidence. This results because victims usually take a shower after the rape, wash-
ing away much of the evidence that could be used in prosecution. According to the Rape Crisis Center website, common survivor reactions include guilt, fear, loss of control, avoidance, flash backs, mood swings, depression, anxiety and body memories. Counseling service Coordinator Melissa Sutherland said people who have been raped must seek counseling immediately. She said she refers students to the Rape Crisis Center where they can learn to heal and recover from the trauma. Sutherland said guilt is the most common reaction after a rape. Victims ask, “What could I have done differently?” “They blame themselves a lot,” Sutherland said. According to the 2012 Annual Security Report compiled by the district police department and available on the ACES homepage, there was one reported rape on public property in 2009 and one reported rape on campus in 2011. The report also shows districtwide one reported rape on campus at Palo Alto College in 2009 and in 2011.
Children rally against hunger Early childhood center donates to Phi Theta Kappa food pantry. By Kevin W. Pang
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Phi Theta Kappa food pantry and the early childhood development center hosted a third food drive Feb. 15, together raising 188 items of food. This college’s food pantry provides for faculty and students in need of supplemental assistance. The early childhood development center class of 18 children from 3 to 5 years old walked two wagons with food from their center at 210 W. Ashby to the food pantry at 602 W. French Pl. Teresa Robledo, an early childhood development teacher who walked with the children, said the center hosts these events to teach the children the importance of eating healthy and helping others. “We’re doing something that other college departments are doing, too, and we’re a 3-, 4- and 5-year-old class, so it’s great to see that even young children can make a difference; that we care too,” Robledo said. Robledo said the children created a gauge to measure how much food they raised, and monitoring their progress toward their goal also made for a math lesson. The children also created a pie chart while sorting the food items. Their collection yielded 56 percent canned items, 20 percent bagged food, 16 percent boxed, and 7 percent miscellaneous food. The center raised 120 items last semester. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources, assisted at the food pantry and gave the children a tour of the building while explaining where the food was stored and how the pantry operates. At the end of the tour, the pantry gave goodie bags to the children containing stickers and healthy snacks such as juice boxes and popcorn. Johnson explained to the children that the pantry offers free food to this college’s students and employees. The pantry only serves employees and students, however, Johnson said, “If someone comes in and asks for something, we won’t turn them down, but they only get to come once. We
Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources, shows food storage in the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry to visitors from the early childhood center Feb. 15. Monica Correa refer them to another pantry because ours is primarily for our students and our staff.” A confidential form needs to be filled out to identify the economic status of the person requesting food and a college ID at the food pantry. The pantry offers canned and fresh vegetables and fruit, canned goods, dairy and meat. A student or employee can visit the pantry up to once a week. They are given as close to a balanced diet as possible. An ideal meal consists of vegetables, fruit, protein and bread, Johnson said. “It’s not to give them everything, but to supplement what they’ve got,” she said. The pantry purchases its food with donations, and donors can receive a tax deduction. The produce is purchased at the San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 W. Old U.S. Highway 90.
The majority of the food from the pantry comes from the city’s food bank. When a food item’s sell-by date is approaching, it can be purchased at a lower consumer price and sometimes even be free. Economics Professor Susan Spencer coordinates events for the food pantry but did not attend Feb. 15 because she was ill. Johnson said Spencer’s class used to volunteer at the San Antonio Food Bank on Saturdays about four years ago and decided to create the college’s pantry as a project. The pantry started in the Catholic Student Center, but Johnson said, “The food pantry was a real big operation.” She said eventually the diocese decided that the pantry was too much of a liability even with insurance so the group rented the space across the street.
“We had liability insurance, but they were scared somebody would fall and blame them or sue them or something so we just moved and we’ve been over across the street ever since,” Johnson said. She said this college does not fund the pantry because they are a nonprofit. The pantry accepts volunteers and donations at all times. The group has a donation box on the first and second floors of the Fletcher Administration Center. The pantry accepts monetary and packaged food donations. The pantry is open noon-3 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. For more information about the early childhood development center, call Robledo at 210486-0530. For more information about the food pantry, call Johnson at 210-486-0902.
12 • Feb. 25, 2013
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