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Volume 87 Issue 14 • March 4, 2013
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Heads up Graduation application deadline extended Students who will be graduating this spring have until March 25 to apply. Before applying, get advising for a degree audit. Apply online through an ACES account or download a copy of the application. For non-specific AA or AS degrees, applications should be taken to a counselor. Declared majors should see the chair of the major department. Students who want to participate in commencement must fill out name cards and pick up caps and gowns 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 1-5 in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center. Commencement is at 10 a.m. May 11 in Joe Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston. Other requirements for graduation are a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, completion of all required courses, completion of at least 25 percent of coursework at this college, good academic standing and submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended. Degrees should be posted in ACES June 14 and diplomas will be mailed starting July 14. For more information, go to the SAC home page and search graduation. See full story online.
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Offensive literature protected by First Amendment A conversion therapy pamphlet provides outdated “facts.” By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
A poster of a fetus at 10 weeks dominated a table display of pro-life pamphlets in the afternoon on Feb. 14 in the mall. Volunteers Deborah Locander, Marion Thompson and Natalie Johnson arrived in the mall about noon. About 2 p.m., a male student stopped to see their materials when one caught his eye. He grabbed a copy of “Top 10 Questions about Homosexuality” from the back edge of the table. Locander retrieved the pamphlet from the student. “Those will not be disseminated,” she said. The pamphlet read that homosexu-
ality is treatable with conversion therapy, a series of therapies and ministries. The pamphlet authors Mark Houck, co-founder and president of The King’s Men, and Molly Kelly, founder and president of Pennsylvania ProLife Educational Foundation, relates homosexuality or same sex attraction to drug addiction and alcoholism. “The main goal is not to become a heterosexual again…but to learn to live a life of chastity,” the pamphlet states. It includes these questions: • Is homosexuality a mental illness? • Is there hope for healing for someone who is already homosexual? • Is homosexuality preventable and treatable? Psychology Professor Thomas
Billimek said aversion therapy was people who were uncomfortable with their homosexuality in the 1970s. During the test, a male or female would be given an electric shock when aroused by their own gender. The test showed that within a few months the participants in the test would be attracted to their own gender again. Billimek compared it to a painful break up. He said if someone has a bad break up that person is not likely to date immediately after but will be willing to date again after a period of time. “We’re not sure what produces it,” however, the aversion therapy proved “sexual identity is long established in us,” said Billimek. Public relations and advertising sophomore Rene Orozco president of
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Emily Rodriguez
Flex 2 enrollment deadlines approaching March 17 is the last day for students to register for Flex 2 using web services at this college. The last day to register for Flex 2 in person is March 22. Flex 2 is a condensed class schedule of 8 weeks beginning March 25 and ending May 18. Payment deadlines for Flex 2 depend on the date of student registration. The last day to pay for registration between now and March 7 is March 7. The last day to pay for registration between March 8 and March 21 is March 21. The last day to pay for registration between March 22 and March 24 is March 28. March 24 is the last day of the enrollment management period which deals in specialized placement of students into classes, either by a department chair or faculty member. Payment in person is available until 5 p.m.; payment using web services extends until 11:59 p.m. For the registration process, visit alamo.edu/sac/admissions. For more information, visit the admissions desk on the second floor of Fletcher Administration Center or call 210-486-0200 and ask to be transferred to Admissions. See full story online.
Megan Leonard
Elementary education sophomore Gwenivere Borst produces cotton candy Wednesday in the mall. The Gay Allied Lesbian Association sold cotton candy for $1. Vincent Reyna
Free resources help constricting budgets By Alma Linda Manzanares
amanzanares6@student.alamo.edu
Being a student is not easy, but quite a few perks come with tuition. Budget-conscious students can scour campus for: • meals, groceries, clothes and free open-mic coffee nights; • free HIV testing, personal counseling and tutoring; • free wi-fi and book, movie and music loans; • sporting and fitness events, festivals and gaming; • cultural events, art exhibits, theater, dance and musical performances; • museum admissions, fashion and talent shows; • a newspaper and radio station. The three campus religion centers offer programming, recreation,
spiritual support and manna to feed a hungry student. For example, the Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap Place, sponsors the Hot Potato lecture series every week 12:15 p.m. Tuesday. Political science Professor Asslan Khaligh builds a semester of weekly speakers addressing a controversial topic and invites participants to join in a Q-and-A, Brenda Meneses, administrative assistant at the Methodist Student Center, said. Khaligh will speak about the conflict in Syria Tuesday. After the lecture, free baked potatoes are served to the audience. Meneses said the program has been around for years and the crowd can vary from nine to 50 students, depending on the speaker and topic. The Catholic Student Center,
321 W. Courtland Place, also offers programming, meals and Mass each week. The center sponsors “Picnic and Parables,” 12:15 p.m. every Tuesday, where a guest speaker, usually a nun, discusses parables or religious stories that teach a moral. Students then discuss the message and how it affects everyday life. A picnic is shared afterwards. 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 at 12:20 p.m. every Friday. The Church of Christ Student Center, 301 W. Dewey Place, features Bible study, tutoring, recreation and snacks. Anna Dacosta, the center secretary, said free lunch is provided at
noon every Friday. She said snacks and a pantry are accessible to students everyday. Men’s Bible study is offered 1 p.m. every Monday. Women’s Bible study is offered 1 p.m. every Wednesday. The Phi Theta Kappa food pantry, 602 W. French Place, provides supplemental groceries for any student or employee with an ID from noon-3 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. According to the San Antonio Food Bank’s income guidelines, a single person without dependents who makes less than $1,679 a month or $20,148 a year qualifies for food assistance. Because the food pantry is an agency of the San Antonio Food Bank, it also follows these guidelines. An Alamo Colleges ID is required for assistance at the food pantry.
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2 • March 4, 2013
People
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Students gather for filming of the “Harlem Shake,” a viral dance sensation, Wednesday in the mall. A video can be found on San Antonio College’s Facebook page. Vincent Reyna
Medical assisting sophomore Mary Ann Page checks the temperature and pulse of Hal Buntley, program director and instructor, as part of a lab for a medical assisting class Wednesday in Room 130 of nursing. Monica Correa
Social work sophomore Jessica Kishi and criminal justice sophomore James Heise toss a flying disk Monday between Gonzales and McCreless. Kishi and Heise play Ultimate Frisbee 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday and Sunday at Olmos Basin. Vincent Reyna
English sophomore Timoteo Garcia performs an acoustic cover of “Turn Into” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Friday while Grace Delgado, an intern from the ASL Interpreter Training Program, recites the lyrics in American sign language during the Cheshire Cheese Club’s monthly Open Mic Night in Loftin. Adriana Ruiz
Social work sophomore Mercedes Deavila poses while caricature artist Blas Martinez creates her image in a cartoon Wednesday in the mall. Martinez drew caricatures for free during Rodeo Round-up. Martinez draws caricatures weekdays at Market Square and weekends on the River Walk. Vincent Reyna
News
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March 4, 2013 • 3
Vice chancellor, faculty spar over textbooks By Faith Duarte
fduarte3@student.alamo.edu
The district’s vice chancellor of academic success didn’t experience much success herself in a special Faculty Senate meeting Feb. 21 here on adopting a single textbook per course. Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke detailed the district’s proposal for fall to charge students an “instructional materials” fee at registration to provide a single text per course and limit texts in online classes to e-books. Fabianke said faculty would still be able to use supplementary textbooks and open sources in addition to a single textbook. Students who withdraw before the census date, 12 days into long semesters, would receive a full refund for texts. College systems in El Paso, Dallas and Tarrant counties are among districts already following this format, she said. “There’s just a drive throughout the country to reduce textbook costs,” she said. Fabianke said once students begin using e-textbooks, they gradually become accustomed to them. “There have been articles in the Chronicle (of Higher Education) that have said where a student may initially … Once they have them and they kind of get into the process of using them, they don’t mind using them,” she said. Economics Professor Suzanne Martinez said students already have lots of options when buying textbooks for class. “It’s interesting to me because I think the system we have right now actually allows students (options),” she said. In addition to the college’s bookstore, students are also encouraged to buy textbooks from other bookstores or online. Fabianke suggested faculty could use a single textbook as a foundation for other materials in a course. “You can go out on the web, you can use lots of open sources, you can supplement. I mean, I don’t think anybody expects everything
that you do to be in the text,” Fabianke said. English Professor Alex Bernal said the current guidelines allow his students more options to select textbooks. “If the object is cost, we can do that,” Bernal said. “And we can do that with three books or even four books.” Jacob Wong, president of Student Government Association, asked if the district had considered a price cap for textbooks instead of limiting textbook selection. Faculty would still have the academic freedom to be able to select a textbook, he said. Dr. Paul Wilson, social sciences and humanities chair, said a price cap would be effective in alleviating costs. “I’m just a simple country boy, but if you tell me I can’t spend more than $80 on a textbook, now that’s some leverage,” Wilson said. “That just seems to me a more simple approach that meets the goal of saving students money so they can buy a $200 parking permit.” Fabianke said faculty would be able to use supplementary texts in addition to the required textbook. “Why wouldn’t you be willing to select one text and try it?” Fabianke asked. English Chair Mike Burton said, “Because we appreciate our academic freedom.” Fabianke said the guidelines would not affect how faculty teach classes. “Nothing about choosing a single text takes away your academic freedom,” she said. Bernal said, “But you are dictating to the faculty how that person should teach.” Wong said textbooks are indicative “of the way the instructors feel they can deliver the information best.” Fabianke said she would take the faculty’s suggestion of using price caps to the district. Burton said, “We would rather do that than have one text.” Business Professor Larry Rosinbaum said
English Professor Alex Bernal says faculty would still be able to save textbook costs for students by having three books to choose from Feb. 21 during a Faculty Senate meeting with Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke,
vice chancellor of academic success, in Room 120 of visual arts. According to proposed textbook guidelines, beginning in fall, faculty members would need to select one textbook per course. Faith Duarte
some students wouldn’t be able to pay attention while accessing an e-book during lectures. “We’ve been fighting the use of the phones, and now all of a sudden, we’re putting a laptop in front of them, and some of the students — let’s face it — are not mature and they will get on there and do all sorts of stuff besides pay attention in class,” he said. Some students would browse the Internet instead of paying attention to the class, he said. Andrew Hubbard, business administration and management freshman, said, unlike e-books, paper textbooks allow students to make notes. “E-books are in no way a substitute
for a book, and in a higher education environment, that is something that needs to be seriously looked at,” he said. Hubbard said, “No one is gung-ho over standardized books, and that concerns me as a student, because it’s taking a lot to convince the room to go with this option.” “We should take note that no professor is sold on the idea,” he said. President Robert Zeigler will speak at an allcollege meeting 2 p.m. Tuesday in Room 120 of visual arts on the issue. Burton said Thursday, “We’re kind of waiting to see what he says and whether decisions are already made.”
Chancellor announces Call to Action to promote changes By Rebecca Salinas
rsalinas191@student.alamo.edu
Chancellor Bruce Leslie calls for employees to become a force of change in his video message, “Chancellor’s Message: A Call to Action.” The first of his proposed quarterly meetings is 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Heritage Room at St. Philip’s College. In the document accompanying the video, Leslie states meetings will be implemented to focus on high priority strategies being developed or implemented to improve awareness in the district. The goal of the first meeting is to have better collaboration, understanding, speed and ingenuity for the strategic initiative development. Leslie suggests small task groups, quick actions, technology use, strategy developments to be fully prepared for implementation, model adaptation to allow the district to decide and implement quickly. The Call to Action presentation was shown Dec. 7 to college and district officials and the Alamo Colleges board of trustees. In a 4 ½ minute video released Feb. 6, Leslie said the call will “energize the entire Alamo Colleges family, to engage in a deep problem-solving discussion” to address the changes happening in higher education and this district. Leslie said the call will also describe the changes, explore the impact and take a “serious approach” to make sure people understand the changes in higher education, such as the increase in distance learning and the evolution of students lives. Linda Lowman, early childhood professor and member of Faculty
Senate, said Leslie is planning to make changes too quickly. She agrees there is a lot of change happening when it comes to education, but it takes time to address them. “It takes time he (Leslie) doesn’t want to use,” she said. “Our brains have difficulty handling change.” Leslie said, “We, each of us, are stewards of the Alamo Colleges for only a short while, and those who follow will stand on our shoulders, and prosper or struggle based on the decisions we make.” In the document, Leslie emphasizes the need to redesign the curriculum and academic organization to reinforce student achievement. Calling it a “critical competitive advantage for the many private, forprofit organizations,” Leslie said, “This is why I have charged a new task force to literally redesign, not just fine-tune, our entire admissions, registration, testing and bursar system.” He states the district has to change their way of operation by being more collaborative, ensuring strategies achieve their full potential and celebrating the risks taken to improve student success. He states the five competitive challenges are distance-learning, expansion of private competitors, the change of students, the change of the nature of degrees and the traditional operation of this district. Five fundamental objectives the district must pursue to be successful is to clear academic pathways in a student’s degree plan, change developmental education, change the advising system, implement a competitive distance learning model
and create an efficient, customerproficient and collaborative organization. Leslie said he found that students are often frustrated with district procedures because they are unclear. If MyMAP, or My Monitoring Academic Progress, fulfills its potential, then it could point students in the right direction when it comes to completing college, such as what courses to take or what to major in, he stated. The call encourages employees to work harder to give students high quality programs, customer service and academic and student support. Leslie states the district is facing demanding challenges to achieve more at a rapid pace, while retaining a lower cost. He states one challenge is that society is demanding a model to ensure greater student success to compete globally, and this district has been underperforming. Another factor in the Call to Action is the redesign of the curriculum model and the role of the faculty member. Leslie said Western Governors University created a model that establishes faculty members as coaches. “The students study the materials and the faculty help bridge the gaps in understanding,” he stated. According to WGU.edu, the online university was founded by 19 governors and serves more than 38,000 students. Leslie stated models of a single course curriculum are a topic that is being more and more discussed because it is economically competi-
tive and effective. The Call for Action states its intention is to help employees understand the “radical shifts” happening in postsecondary education and to “participate fully in the new, cost-efficient models proving successful and to aggressively expand our reach … ” In an interview Thursday, Mike Burton, English chair and member of Faculty Senate, said the call for a single course curriculum is contradictory to Leslie’s call of willingness to make more mistakes. He said if each college is different, then it would make the colleges more competitive with one another. “Allow individual colleges to be unique … rather than one size fits all,” he said. “Innovation requires competition, or rather competition drives innovation.” Burton said he has spoken with the other English chairs in the district, and they agree that each college should be unique. Leslie’s Call to Action said there is no time for district employees to argue over what model to use because today’s students need to graduate and get a job. If the district does not produce successful students, then employers will use technology to replace students who would normally graduate from the Alamo Colleges, he stated. “The point is that we can’t spend the next five years arguing over structure and control, over courses rather than curriculum, over individual department textbook choice rather than collective strategies that are better academically and less expensive for our students,” he stated. “The most cost-efficient model
must be applied; the best instructional strategies must be implemented.” Burton said if there is a single course curriculum, then it is like a “cookie-cutter or assembly line” education because it would give the impression that anyone can teach. “Responsibility is on the curriculum; the teacher is not responsible,” he said. After the Dec. 7 presentation, the audience was allowed to respond to the call. In general, those attending agreed with the call and called for more radical changes. The responses agreed with the changes in higher education and the environment and the need to maintain efficiency. Responses also included the need to promote team building, although there is competition between each college. “We need to change the (Alamo)6 Colleges perception that they function individually; this is a collective effort,” one response said. When it comes to initiating dramatic changes, responses included revisiting why semesters are 16 weeks, why courses are three hours and why there are three semesters a year. Other responses include being mindful of the diverse student population, having concrete deadlines and using technology to its fullest extent. To view the Call to Action, visit alamo.edu/district/chancellor/callto-action. To view the Call to Action video, visit youtube.com/user/alamocolleges5.
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4 • March 4, 2013 FREE from Page 1 The Magic Closet, in the Ashby House at 218 W. Ashby, provides professional women’s clothing for low-income students who need appropriate clothing for job interviews. Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources, said the closet is run by Network Power/ Texas, and gently worn, professional clothing is collected from events sponsored by the group. She said students must make an appointment and can pick out one outfit to wear, which they get to keep. “I know some of our students from mortuary science use it because they have to do an internship and they often don’t have the type of clothing that is appropriate for those kinds of things,” Johnson said. To make an appointment or donate, call Rebecca Boles, fashion, image and style director for Network Power/Texas at 210-698-0131. The counseling and advising services department offers free individual and group counseling for students at this college. Counselor Melissa Sutherland said the department can only offer six individual sessions per student. She said if a student requires more than six sessions, the department seeks a community resource to continue serving the student. Group therapy is offered and requires a screening of each person, Sutherland said. She said group therapies include using poetry to heal, veterans returning from war, life coaching, career groups, parenting groups and another group that helps people keep their past from invading the present. Each group consists of eight to 10 students and runs for about six to eight weeks, Sutherland said. She said it’s important for students to seek
OFFENSIVE from Page 1 Gay Allied Lesbian Association said, “It’s who we are, it’s not a mental illness.” Orozco said the information in the article was outdated and biased making it offensive, because people who are in question of their sexuality are provided inaccurate information. “Love knows no gender, it’s about the connection with who you are in love with,” said Orozco. Emily Kahanek, interim student life director, said student life was unaware of the material that was handed out on the table, and unaware of the pamphlet. She said Locander, Thompson and Johnson were from lovematters.org and they were going to hand out free literature. Kahanek said under Freedom of Speech the volunteers were allowed to be there, as long as they followed the procedures. In the Guidelines for Expression and Demonstrations states, “The grounds will be made available to students, to members of the District community and to the public for expressions/demonstration purposes.” President Robert Zeigler said as part of the college experience there is no need to regulate information as long as it follows college procedures.
a resolution to issues because it can eventually begin to impede functioning. “It’ll have an impact on their work, their social life, their employment. It can cause all types of problems,” Sutherland said. She said the department is helpful because most students don’t have insurance and being able to access services can be difficult. “Our job is to keep students in class and to help them to graduate. That’s the whole, main goal of everyone on this campus,” Sutherland said. “If we can provide that service and help keep them functioning, and functioning well so they can pursue their educational goals, then it’s a win-win situation.” The counseling center is on the first floor of Moody Learning Center. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Tuesday when it closes at 7 p.m. It is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday of every month. Sutherland said students can set up appointments with a counselor, but walk-ins are also accepted. For more information, call 210-486-1620. Sometimes, all a student needs is a little workout. Candler Physical Education Center offers free recreation hours for swimming, racquetball, tennis, basketball and other activities. Loftin Student Center includes a fitness center, and student life oversees intramural events and college teams. Friday afternoons, gamers are welcome from 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. in Loftin. Students can gain free admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art, the McNay Art Museum and the Institute of Texan Cultures with an Alamo Colleges ID. Mario Muñiz, director of district public relations, said the free admissions program is part of an educational institution membership. He said the contracts are renewed annually
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and a report, which tracks how many Alamo Colleges-affiliated visits the museums in the program receive, is conducted to determine the viability of the program. “It’s going up every year,” Muñiz said. “It seems like it’s not only something that students take advantage of but employees and instructors are using it as part of their curriculum.” Art Professor Debra Schafter said she requires her students in ARTS 1301, Art Appreciation, and ARTS 1304, Art History 2, to attend the San Antonio Museum of Art. She said art Professor Marleen Hoover also requires students in ARTS 1303, Art History 1, to attend the museum. “The important thing is they get out and see real works of art,” Schafter said. “That’s a whole different experience.” Students do not need to leave campus to soak up a variety of arts and culture live or online. The campus is wi-fi enabled indoors and out. Theater performances, music concerts and dance recitals feature student performers in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center or the theater in McCreless Hall. Regular visiting exhibits are featured in the visual arts center and the library in Moody. If a student needs computer access to complete assignments, conduct research or just seeks a quiet place away from home, the library is open 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The library offers 129 databases for students to use that can be accessed from any computer at http://www.alamo.edu/sac/library. A student’s Banner ID number is required to access databases off campus. The library also offers free rentals of books,
music and movies with a college ID. The health promotions office is sponsoring free on-campus HIV testing 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. today, March 25, April 8 and April 29 in Room 150 of Loftin. Testing, conducted by the Center for Health Care Services, requires a cheek swab, and confidential results are available in 15 minutes. Student life keeps the student center lively with karaoke, live music, campus festivals, fashion shows and talent shows. It is also the location for a monthly openmic coffee night sponsored by the Cheshyre Cheese Club. Upcoming open-mic coffee nights are 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. March 22 and April 12. The Writing Center in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall offers tutoring, an open computer lab and workshops throughout the semester. Walk-ins are accepted, but staff recommends making an appointment to avoid waiting. Tutors help students understand assignments, generate ideas, create a thesis and statement, organize papers and make grammar corrections. All tutors at the writing center are certified. The center is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. To set a tutoring appointment, call 210-4861433. The speech communication program offers workshops from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 203 of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The program also offers tutoring at the Strain Communication Center in Room 205 of McAllister, where students can research topics and practice presentations. For more information, call 210-486-0496.
Female engineer builds career, networks SAC engineering student places nationally. By Kevin W. Pang
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The National Leadership Conference hosted by the national organization Mexican American Engineers and Scientists in Washington D.C. was Feb. 13-17. MAES chapter President Braulio Reyes, Secretary Celeste Trujillo, and astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz, adviser, attended. The conference included a team competition of members placed in teams of three or four. Trujillo’s team won third place with 70 total student members who attended and competed at the conference from participating colleges and universities from MAES chapters across the country. Among the competitors that faced Trujillo was the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
Stanford University. Each team was designated one of three issues being discussed in Congress to develop a solution for, such as affirmative action, raising funds for STEM majors and finding alternative energy resources. Each team made a business proposal toward a possible solution of their issue and presented it Feb. 15. Feb. 16 was the preliminary round with judges from programs such as Science Extravaganza and Career Fairs. In the evening was the final round where the winners were chosen and awarded. Team members focused on their specific individual areas of engineering to contribute to the proposal. “A lot of people don’t understand how much goes into making one thing; it’s not just one engineer,” Trujillo said.
They proposed their idea of clean nuclear energy with the use of thorium as opposed to uranium and they had two proposed markets that would benefit from their idea, one being the household consumer and the other a national development, such as companies and corporations. MAES had submitted a proposal to the Student Activity Fee Committee to fund the trip for three people and one adviser for $2,684 but it was not approved. Reyes, a chemical engineering freshman here, said Trujillo and he paid about $450 each and the national MAES paid their registration of $150. Trujillo, a civil engineering sophomore at this college, said the conference ran 7 a.m.- 9 p.m. Members participated in a kickoff challenge of an icebreaker. They thought of ideas to recruit
members and fundraise for the national organization. Workshops focused on strength finders, a self-assessment activity that identifies a member’s five strengths to help the team divide their work. Trujillo said that the conference was a networking experience, “It’s really good to go to these kinds of leadership conferences not only for STEM majors, but I believe for everyone.” Trujillo is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, a nonprofit educational and service organization that helps women succeed in engineering. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 5,454,921 males in computer, engineering and science in 2011. In contrast, women account for 1,907,234. Trujillo said there was one woman in the team of three or four males.
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Green jobs growing with district training By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Alamo Colleges is responding to local area job growth by providing green job training. Alamo Colleges Green Job Training Institute offers a variety of short-term training courses for students wanting a career change or current employees who want to enhance skills. These classes prepare students for industries transforming existing jobs into green jobs or that are creating new green jobs in industries in and around San Antonio, including building performance, energy auditing, energy retrofitting, solar energy,
power generation, water conservation, water treatment, rain harvesting, tree care, emergency preparedness technician and a class in nontoxic chemicals. St. Philip’s College offers an associate degree in power generation and alternative energy that includes an internship in a technical field. Northwest Vista College offers an associate degree in applied science with a concentration in advanced water treatment. It is the result of a partnership with David H. Pau, Inc., a nationally recognized water treatment training and consulting firm. Graduates are prepared to sit
for an exam required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for professionals working in municipal water treatment. Green jobs occupy their own section at the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Bills have been passed in Congress and signed for approval by President Barack Obama supporting green jobs. So, what are green jobs anyway? First thoughts of green jobs, also known as green collar jobs, usually include wind and solar energy or other energy production outside the realm of natural gas and oil or fossil
fuels. Further research reveals green jobs include such career preferences as education, repurposing of current construction, and jobs in inspection and auditing. In other words, green jobs are not reserved for engineering majors. The Alamo Colleges district website states, “Green jobs support clean energy production, energy efficiency, conservation and management of natural resources, and the reduction of waste and pollution.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines green jobs by placing them into two categories: jobs or services that benefit the environment or con-
serve natural resources and jobs in which workers’ duties involve making their establishment’s production processes more environmentally friendly or reduces dependence on natural resources. The bureau’s definitions are broad and include education, farming, government planning, fundraising, air conditioning technology and more. If aptitudes and natural talents do not encourage careers in engineering or electronics, there is a diverse collection of jobs and roles for those interested in sustainability. For more information, visit alamo. edu/greenjobs or call 210-485-0240.
Former Mexican president to speak at Trinity University By Carolina Vela
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Former Mexican President Felipe Calderón will be the speaker for the 2013 Flora Cameron Lecture on Politics and Public Affairs March 21 at Trinity University. The Flora Cameron Lecture is a yearly series offered every spring semester with speakers, usually politicians, who talk about public affairs and politics. Calderón is known worldwide for his all-out war on Mexico’s drug cartels.
He has a law degree earned from Escuela Libre de Derecho and an economics degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. He received his master’s in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is now a professor at Harvard. Partido Acción Nacional candidate won the Mexican presidential campaign in 2006. During his six-year term, Calderón prioritized access to health services for the entire popu-
lation and implemented an intense reform process to improve Mexico’s economic competitiveness. Also, regulations at federal level were eliminated, he strengthen the energy sector and increased the number of jobs. A notable boost in infrastructure was made with the construction of 20,000 km of highways, an investment in human capital was made and tariffs were reduced from 12 percent to 4 percent. Most importantly, he made the decision to crack down on drug
lords using all the strength of the government and military. The ex-president’s presentation is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. March 21 in Laurie Auditorium of Trinity University, 715 Stadium Drive. Tickets are required for the free lecture. Tickets can be picked up 10 a.m.-4 p.m from March 11-15 at Laurie Auditorium box office. Phone and email reservations are not accepted. For more information, call Mary Anthony at 210-999-8441 or email mary.anthony@trinity.edu.
Felipe Calderón. Courtesy
Open-entry program ending By Faith Duarte
fduarte3@alamo.edu
Open-entry instruction, which allows students to complete classes at their own pace, will phase out as it moves toward online and hybrid instruction at the end of the semester, Elizabeth Haan, administrative computer technology program coordinator, said Wednesday. Haan said Thursday enrollment in the program has decreased from a high of 500 students to 250 this semester. The method of instruction allows students to take courses in accounting, computer applications, information technology, data processing technology, legal administrative technology, administrative systems, paralegal studies and medical transcription at their own pace. “We’re sad to see this method go because it serves people with so much flexibility,” Haan said Thursday. “But we still feel like we can build in that flexibility by having students still come on campus if they’re in a hybrid course and get assistance as needed.” The lab, located in Room 307 of Nail Technical Center, has had to reduce its hours this semester, she said. “When enrollment goes down, you have fewer staff members assigned, and therefore the hours have decreased,” Haan said. She said as enrollment in online courses has increased, students taking online courses have also been able to access the lab. Although classes have self-paced instruction, “students could work ahead and finish the class early, but they were required to stay on a weekly due date schedule,” Haan said. She said the classes would be taught through face-to-face, hybrid or online instruction. “Our students who have taken classes in there love that delivery method,” she said Wednesday. “I just want to reassure those students that the faculty is still going to be here to help them with this transition period.” Haan said staff is dedicated to helping students through the transition. “With transitioning into another delivery method, we are committed to continue to be here for our students and help them anytime they need it,” she said. The lab is open 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday. For more information, call Haan at 210-486-0532.
Economic Professor Susan Spencer informs students on how volunteering at the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry helps other students during the weekly Hot Potato lunch series Tuesday in the Methodist Student Center. Juliana Huff
Contribute to community, professor says By Henry M. Martinez Jr.
“How are you going to contribute to your community?” Spencer said. Susan Spencer, economics professor and director of the Phi Spencer gives her time to the Phi Theta Kappa Food Pantry and Theta Kappa Food Pantry, encouraged students Tuesday at the said there is no one who is going to enjoy that more than her. Methodist Student Center Hot Potato Lecture Series to give of “You don’t have to feel like you have to be a millionaire to help,” themselves, much like the free baked potatoes she said. served after the speech. Spencer said everyone could help out in You don’t have to She recommends students donate their time their own way and play to their strengths by feel like you have or whatever they can. understanding their resources and putting them to be a millionaire Spencer said that although part of the country to work. to help. is in turmoil, there are “better times in Texas.” “You need to believe your own life is a valid Susan Spencer She said that students’ giving habits are deterlife,” she said. economics mined by how they were raised. Hernandez said that even though she already professor Spencer asked, “What has family values and gives her time “there is always something more religious structure taught you when good times to do.” hit?” Boothe said he wants to go out to help poor Political science freshman Luis Boothe and kinesiology freshpeople in the community. man Joy Hernandez were among the 17 students in attendance. The Hot Potato lecture series gets its name from the hot baked Boothe said he helped in church since he was little. potato lunch attendees receive after the speech. Hernandez helped in Sunday school as well, and said she was a Hot Potato events are 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. every Tuesday at the part of the Girl Scouts and Big Brother Big Sisters Youth Mentoring Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap Place. For more informaOrganization. tion, call the Methodist Student Center at 210-733-1441. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
’’
News
6 • March 4, 2013
www.theranger.org/news
Philosophy students present conference papers March 23
HS students compete in Spanish poetry, speaking
This college hosts the 64th annual conference for society.
Spanish teachers have registration forms.
author from the University of California at Davis. Whitworth said, “It’s a great way for people to see academics outside of the classroom.” By Benjamin Enriquez Two prizes will be awarded: the Hubert Griggs sac-ranger@alamo.edu Alexander Memorial Award for an excellent paper by The philosophy program of this college will host a philosopher at any career level, on any philosophithe 64th annual Conference of the New Mexico West cal topic, but especially on aesthetics, philosophy Texas Philosophical Society, a nonprofit organization of language, symbolic form, Hispanic philosophy, dedicated to promoting philosophical thought and classical philosophy, or the role of philosophy in education. the humanities; and the Houghton In conjunction with this conferDalrymple Memorial Award for an For more ence, the fifth annual student colexcellent paper by a graduate student information, visit loquium will be here as well, which is or recent Ph.D. on any philosophiwww.nmwt.org. where students get a chance to read cal topic, but with a preference for philosophical papers and have them papers on epistemology or historic commented on by their peers. philosopher David Hume. During the conference, papers on any philoA $100 check and publication in Southwest sophical subject, previously written and submitted Philosophical Studies will be given with each award. by full-time and part-time professors, graduate and The conference is free and open for all to attend. undergraduate students or retired professors will be A final schedule is not available, but the conference presented and reviewed by others. is March 22-24 on the second floor of Oppenheimer Dr. Amy F. Whitworth, philosophy program coorAcademic Center. The student colloquium is set for dinator, is commenting on a paper written by an March 23 at the same location.
!
By Benjamin Enriquez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college is co-sponsoring the 2013 Poetry Declamation and Speaking Proficiency Contest with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese of San Antonio de Béjar. The poetry contest is open to all students enrolled in Spanish from first grade through 12th grade, and the speaking proficiency contest is open to all students enrolled in Spanish from eighth grade through 12th grade. Judging will be based on Spanish language proficiency and presentation. Tammy Perez, foreign languages chair said, “It is a great opportunity for high school students to compete by reciting or memorizing Spanish dialogue or monologue.”
For the speaking proficiency portion of the contest, competitors will be asked to perform on a topic chosen at random by the judges. The registration fee per contest is $3 per student for AATSP member teachers, and $5 per student of non-AATSP member teachers. Contestants can enter one or both contests. High school students who wish to compete should ask Spanish teachers for the required form. Email registration forms to sanantoniodebejar@gmail.com by no later than Friday. After registration, mail check by March 18 (payable to AATSP San Antonio de Béjar Chapter) to St. Mary’s Hall, Attn: Dr. José Ortega, 9401 Starcrest Drive, San Antonio TX 78217. The event is 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., March 23 on the first floor of Oppenheimer Academic Center. Refreshments will be served.
McNay hosts presentation on Cornyation By Jahna Lacey
the San Antonio Little Theater troupe in 1951 at the Arneson River Theater The McNay Art Museum will be on the River Walk in La Villita. hosting “Cornyation: The Early Years According to the Texas State of Fiesta Irreverence” at 6:30 p.m. Historical Association, the “little theMarch 14 in the Chiego Lecture Hall ater” founded in 1912 grew out of a at 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. reading group. Amy Stone, assistant sociology Cornyation is a Fiesta show creprofessor at Trinity University, will ated to parody politics and celebrities lecture with photographs and discovthrough the unveiling of a royal court eries of AChoiceForWomen_Ad:Layout the first Cornyation staged by in elegant gowns and numerous skits. 1 27166 1 1/25/13 3:11 PM Page sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Stone said the Cornyation went on from 1951 to 1964 as part of the Night in Old San Antonio before being cancelled in 1965 after satirizing prominent politicians. Cornyation was performed two more times before being revived by director Ray Chavez in 1982. “I think students would enjoy an interesting and irreverent piece of history in San Antonio,” Stone said.
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“There will be old performers from Cornyation in the audience. The presentation will include old photographs and scripts from the show.” Admission is free for students with an Alamo Colleges ID, McNay members and children under 12 years old. Adults are $15 and senior citizens and active military members are $10. For more information, call 210-824-5368.
This year’s Cornyation is April 2325. Early shows will be 7:30 p.m.10 p.m. Late shows run 10:30 p.m.midnight in the Charline McCombs Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary’s St. The Coronation of the Queen of The Order of the Alamo is at 8 p.m. April 24 at the Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St. Tickets are $15-$35. For more information, visit www. sa-fiesta.org or call 210-227-5191.
News
www.theranger.org/news
March 4, 2013 • 7
Emergency evacuation sites, plan unknown to most students Emergency practice drills will help raise awareness, the emergency management coordinator said. By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
Eighty-four percent of students do not know where this college’s designated evacuation areas are, an informal survey by The Ranger showed. Students were asked if they had seen the college safety plan and if they check ACES email. The survey showed 94 percent of students have not seen the safety plan, and 6 percent of students say they recall seeing the safety plan in a student development class. The plan explains evacuation procedures in case of an injury; fire; violence, such as an active shooter; bomb, or terrorist threat; and tornado. In each situation besides tornado, the plan states to call 210-222-0911,
the emergency line for the Alamo Colleges police department. If a student tries to dial 911 for an emergency on campus, the San Antonio Police Department dispatcher will call the district police, Sgt. Mike Nemcic, support services supervisor, said. Around every corner and near entrances there is a map of emergency exits and it has where the designated evacuation area is. There are five designated evacuation areas: the designated evacuation areas are San Pedro Springs Park when by Loftin Student Center, chemistry and geology building, Gonzales Hall, Candler Physical Education Center, and McCreless Hall. Students need to evacuate to the VIA parking lot when by the tennis courts, Nail Technical
yes
no
Do you know where evacuation zones are?
yes
no
Have you seen the safety plan?
frequently
weekly
monthly
never
Center, Oppenheimer Academic Center and Law Enforcement Center. Evacuate to Crockett Park when near Chance Academic Center, science annex, continuing education portables, nursing complex, empowerment center and campus police. Evacuate to EcoCentro parking lot when by Fletcher Administration Center, Moody Learning Center and service trade and industry center. Evacuate to Catholic Charities when by early childhood studies, visual arts center and Travis Early College. The survey also showed that 75 percent of students check ACES email every day, multiple times a day, or every other day. An email was sent Feb. 12 to faculty and staff from this college’s public relations office about the emergency plan. The email had links to both designated evacuation areas and the safety plan.
See EMERGENCY, Page 14
How often do you check ACES email?
Survey responses of 100 students polled Feb. 15 in Loftin by Jennifer Luna. Infographic by Mandy Derfler
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8 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Keep skin healthy this spring break by following these tips
or if you don’t listen,
check out the sunburn symptoms and remedies.
Avoid sun Ultraviolet rays are the most intense between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., however, sunburns and damage can also occur on cloudy days or in shade.
Drink plenty of fluids Prevent dehydration and loss of fluids through the skin.
Wear sunscreen Physical and chemical sunscreens are available. Physical sunscreen contains substances that reflect and scatter light, but it stains clothing. It is suggested for people who burn easily or take medications that may cause photosensitivity, sensitivity to light. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation. A higher sun protection factor, or SPF, provides extra protection against UVB rays, but not UVA. When choosing sunscreen, look for one that is at least 15 SPF, water and sweat resistant and contains active ingredients protecting against UVA and UVB rays. Apply at least 1 ounce to the entire body 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and before applying insect repellent. Reapply every one to two hours or after getting wet. Wear lip balm with at least 15 SPF.
Pinkness or redness, skin that feels warm or hot to the touch Apply a cold compress or take a cool shower or bath.
Pain or tenderness Apply aloe vera, moisturizing lotion or a low dose of hydrocortizone cream.
Swelling, headache, fever and fatigue Take anti-inflammatory medication.
Wear protective clothing Sunglasses, hats, long sleeves and pants, tightly woven clothing and darker fabrics protect skin from the sun. High-SPF clothing, containing treatments that absorb UV rays, are available. Specialized laundry additives also can add protection.
Peeling skin This is the body sloughing off the top layer of damaged skin. Continue to use moisturizing cream.
Consult a doctor if:
Small fluid-filled blisters, which may break Don’t break blisters on purpose, cover them instead. Breaking the protective layer slows the healing process and increases the risk of infection. If blisters break on their own, apply an antibacterial cream.
Confusion, nausea or chills Increasing pain and tenderness Increasing swelling Yellow drainage (pus) from an open blister Red streaks, leading away from the open blister, which may extend in a line upward along your arm or leg Possible prescriptions include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain, swelling and inflammation longer than over-the-counter drugs, but may irritate the stomach. Corticosteroid medication relieves itching that occurs when skin heals, but may cause thin skin, red lesions and acne.
Illustration by Juan Carlos Campos and infographic Mandy Derfler
If you still don’t think sun safety is important: Overexposure to the sun over several years leads to premature aging of the skin, wrinkling, age spots and an increased risk for skin cancer, including melanoma. Repeated exposure to sunlight can result in pterygium formation, cataracts and macular degeneration. Melanin offers some protection from a sunburn, but
not from UV-induced skin damage. The sun’s energy penetrates deep into skin and damages the DNA of skin cells, which could lead to skin cancer. People with fair skin are more likely to sunburn than those with dark skin because there is more melanin in darker skin. People with dark skin often develop skin cancer on the
palms, fingers, or other more lightly pigmented areas of their bodies. All information gathered from Mayo Clinic at http://www. mayoclinic.com/health/sunburn/DS00964 and Center for Disease Control at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-2-the-pre-travel-consultation/sunburn.htm
Troopers prepare for drunken spring breakers By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
Starting Friday, highway patrol troopers pay special attention along Highway 37 to South Padre because of spring break, highway patrol Trooper Jason Reyes said in an interview Tuesday. “We’re beefing our patrols up,” Reyes said. Reyes said some key indicators to spot an intoxicated driver include speeding, driving erratically, and missing headlights at night. For a first time DUI or DWI offender, the driver will be sent to
county jail; the judge might issue a bond. Reyes said the estimated cost is $17,000 to bond out and pay attorney fees. A DUI can be issued if the driver is under 21 and appears to be drinking but is not intoxicated. With a DUI, the drivers license can be lost and alcohol classes are mandatory. A citation for a DUI can be issued depending on county and judge. Expect a DWI charge and arrest if a driver, regardless of age, exceeds the legal limit of 0.08. In 2009, Courtesy there were
45,230 drivers involved in fatal crashes, and 4,597 drivers were between the ages of 21-24. About 34.5 percent of the 4,597 drivers had a body alcohol content higher than 0.08 in 2009. Adults between the ages 21-24 had the highest percentage of blood alcohol content than people ages 16-20 years and under and 75 years and older. “Alcohol effects the central nervous system,” psychology Professor Thomas Billimek, said, adding as more alcohol is consumed, the level of functioning decreases. “You might not see a person stepping out from a curb,” he said. Driving Laws website said the first
offense of a DUI is license suspension, a minimum of 90 days. In a first offense for a DUI or a DWI, the driver will be incarcerated for three to 180 days. A driver 21 and older will be fined $2,000, and a minor, $10,000. Texas also is a part of a surcharge program for DUI and DWI offenders. Offenders must pay $1,000 for three years. If the BAC is 0.16, the payment increases to $2,000. A conviction remains on record and influences future DUI/ DWI criminal cases for 10 years. For more information about driving laws visit www.drivinglaws.org.
Don’t let sleeping students lie (drun Protect your friends of alcohol. By Katherine Garcia
kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu
If spring break fun includ to remember the effects of al Psychology Professor Th basically a sedative so it slo ing.” Alcohol affects women m because of the “difference in He said, “a larger person in more alcohol and proces smaller person.” Counselor service Coordi said it is important for peop hol intake when drinking. She said if the person is they are OK, but if a person unaware of their surroundin She added that people w drinking are still at risk for al their blood alcohol level co they have stopped drinking. “I would get them to a do a chance of the alcohol abus Sutherland said commo reversing the effects of a han toxic than beer is false. She warned alcohol can such as accidents, falling, d drowning. Students are also assaulted while under the in She advised students to “ hol they ingest, and make in don’t get themselves or some For more information ab call Sutherland at 210-486-03
Break
March 4, 2013 • 9
Synthetic drug challenges health and laws Synthetic marijuana has similar effects to marijuana. By Kevin W. Pang
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Infographic by Juan Carlos Campos
t g s nk) from the dangers
des alcohol, it is important lcohol on the body. homas Billimek said, “It’s ows your brain function-
more strongly than men n body weight.” n would be able to take ss it more quickly than a
inator Melissa Sutherland ple to check friends’s alco-
s alert and talking, then loses consciousness or is ngs, it is best to call 911. who pass out after overlcohol poisoning because ontinues to increase after
octor. It’s not worth taking se killing them,” she said. on myths such as coffee ngover and wine being less
n result in other dangers drinks getting drugged or o at risk of being sexually nfluence of alcohol. “limit the amount of alconformed decisions so they eone else killed.” bout counseling services, 353.
How quickly do men and women get intoxicated?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Synthetic marijuana is the second most used drug by high school seniors according to the DEA and National Institute on Drug Abuse survey of high school seniors in 2011. Music business sophomore Jesus Interiano, said, “They are too afraid to break the law … if they can’t experience the real thing they want to try something that can get them close to it. It gives them some added comfort knowing that this stuff is known to allegedly give the same effect; it’s legal and that’s what appeals to them.” Interiano is a part of Peer Educators, they offer counseling on drug and alcohol abuse, STD and HIV health, domestic violence and depression for faculty and students at this college. Synthetic marijuana is popular among teens and young adults as an alternative to marijuana. The substance elicits a “high” similar to marijuana but is not subject to legal punishment. Elevated mood, relaxation and altered perception are some of the effects the drugs have on the body, according to NIDA. Some users report psychotic effects, such as extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. The drug can cause heart attacks in some users, NIDA’s website stated. Rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation and confusion are symptoms reported among users. Some have experienced raised blood pressure and caused reduced blood supply to the heart, known as myocardial ischemia. Spice and K2 are common names for synthetic marijuana. The drug is commonly purchased in head shops, tobacco shops or over the Internet. The drug is a mixture of herbs and spices that are sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Smoking synthetic marijuana is the primary method in the intake of the drug. Regular users may experience withdrawal and addiction symptoms NIDA states. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, there is an acute kidney injury directly linked with the use of synthetic marijuana. Interiano said users of synthetic marijuana say they have experienced severe chest pains, dizziness and nausea. Users of the drug experience the symptoms after about a month of using. “Most of them having to deal with their breathing and their lung function, so many of them quit after a short period of time; they don’t want to expose themselves to that much danger,” Interiano said. On March 1, 2011, the DEA released a final order to schedule authority to temporarily control the synthetic chemicals. Five chemicals that are currently controlled are JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47 497 and cannabicyclohexanol. The United States Food and Drug Administration have not approved these chemicals for human consumption and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process. Brands such as Spice, K2, Blaze and Red X Dawn have been labeled as incense to hide the intended illicit use. Manufacturers of synthetic marijuana change the chemical formula of the drug so it can remain legal for sales. According to the DEA the effect of the Controlled Substances Act is to regulate and penalize manufactures, distributors and people in possession. The drug has now been classified as a Schedule I substance which is a category of drugs not considered legitimate for medical use by the DEA; other Schedule I substances are marijuana.
10 • March 4, 2013
www.theranger.org/editorial
.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, T.M. 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, 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
Perspective is key Journalists connect the dots in a story when they look at everyone’s perspective. When people say, “There are two sides to every story,” they are wrong. There are actually more than 7 billion, at least one for every human on the planet. It is a reporter’s job to figure out what actually happened, which requires talking to numerous sources. However, those s o u r c e s might not know exactly what happened themselves. Sources have their own view of what happ e n e d . Beliefs can alter what they think they saw. Reporters interview primary sources, secondary sources, officials and review documents to try to get to the bottom of a story. When a person does not want to tell their side of the story, then
their perspective is lost, which may be critical information missing in the story. That is why reporters are constantly asking for more information from various sources. A reporter simply cannot trust or write off a story of one person’s statement because that person could lie, be mistaken or have a memory lapse. Once a story is published, readers can conjure up their own opinions of what happened. No one opinion or perspective is right; it is just one of the many t h i n g s reporters have to consider in a story. Reporters do not ask questions to pester a source; they ask questions to get one more perspective of the 7 billion available.
Juan Carlos Campos
Allow leaders to lead Should the president of this college be allowed to make decisions about the budget? That sounds like a dumb question, right? The president of an institution is its top officer and therefore decides and signs off on expenditures. Unfortunately, the question is not hypothetical, and that has become a real problem. President Robert Zeigler agreed to pay a stipend to journalism Adjunct Jerry Townsend, Adjunct Faculty Council chair, but when it came time to send out checks, there wasn’t one for Townsend. Chancellor Bruce Leslie didn’t agree with Zeigler’s decision. He did not support awarding the stipend because the district is trying “to better manage” the district’s finances.
Managing the college’s finances is one of the duties assigned the president of this college. Zeigler is on this campus every day and understands the particular needs of this college. Don’t forget he not only taught here, he was a student here as well. The five colleges of this district are not interchangeable and neither is the personnel. Each college has a president, and each president must be free to address the unique situations over which they preside. Let them make decisions based on their special knowledge, specifically for their students and employees. Besides, doesn’t Leslie have enough to do already?
Learn emergency plan Students should review and learn the college’s emergency safety plan to avoid chaos and injury. The safety plan includes phone numbers and explains evacuation procedures in case of injury; fire; violence, such as an active shooter, bomb or terrorist threat; or tornado. A map of evacuation zones and designated evacuation areas can be downloaded at alamo. edu/sac/emergency-plan. The map explains where students should exit the campus depending on location at the time of the emergency. The plan also states to call 210-222-0911, the emergency line for the Alamo Colleges
police department. The nonemergency number for the police department is 210-485-0099. Students should program both numbers in their phones to quickly access help in any emergency situation. Emergencies can be sudden and shocking, and also possibly life threatening. Knowing the plan can prevent panic, scrambling, confusion and the risk of endangering others. The safety of all 26,000 students on this campus is a priority for faculty and staff. It should also be a priority for every student.
College needs diversity The diversity of college professors is a factor for students when considering which college to attend. Students benefit from faculty members who come from different ideas, backgrounds and lifestyles. Forcing faculty members to use one textbook per course muzzles them by forcing them to teach the same way. A uniform textbook for each course silences their unique voices because it wastes their uniqueness, which will ultimately lessen their impact on students’ learning experiences. Diversity within bodies of governance, including city council and the Alamo Colleges
board of trustees, allows for public officials to better serve the needs of a diverse population. In a courtroom, jurors who come from varied backgrounds and lifestyles provide a more accurate collective voice of the community. Historically this had led to greater justice and a fairer due process. When a newspaper staff is reflective of the population of a community, it can do a better job at covering news within the community because reporters will know more about what’s important to the community. A diverse faculty adds to students’ overall learning experiences, and ultimately, to personal growth.
www.theranger.org/saconnected
SAConnected
March 4 2013 • 11
Upcoming
This week Today
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
SAC Event: Registration for Super PASS sessions begins. Afternoon sessions are 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and evening sessions are 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. March 18-22 in Room 533 of Moody. Registration is $70. Call 210-486-0168.
SAC Event: Picnic and Parables with Sister Pat Connelly 12:15 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. Call 210-736-3752.
SAC Event: Money Matters: Credit seminar 11 a.m.-noon. in Room 150 of Loftin. Snacks will be provided. Call 210-486-0126.
SAC Event: Free lunch and Bible study at United Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Spanish session is at 11 a.m. followed by the English session at 12:15 p.m. Sponsored by the United Methodist Student Movement. Continues Thursdays. Call 210-733-1441.
SAC Event: Spring Break Safety and Alcohol Awareness event 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. SAC Meeting: Student Government Association meeting noon-1 p.m. in the employee lounge of Loftin. Open to all students. Call 210-486-0835. SAC Event: Leadership Forum: Vision, Mission and Purpose 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0255.
SAC Event: Hot Potato Lunch Series sponsored by United Methodist Student Center 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. at Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441. SAC Event: Cheshyre Cheese Club meets 2 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210-486-0668. SAC Event: How To Build a Computer 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. in Room 319-E of Nail. Call 210-486-0532.
SAC Performance: Percussion Ensemble Concert 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255. SAC Meeting: Psychology Club meets 2 p.m. in Room 624 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 210486-1266. 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 Performance: Brass Ensemble Concert 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in McAllister Auditorium. Call 210-4860255. SAC Meeting: San Antonio Immigrant Youth Movement at 2:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Continues Mondays. Call 210-593-8202 or visit www.saiym210.org.
SAC Event: Pizza with the President sponsored by the Student Government Association noon1:30 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-4860835.
SAC Performance: Jazz Ensemble Concert 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0255.
SAC Event: Recruiting event for the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Race for the Cure is April 6 at the Alamodome. Online registration is $35. Call 210-486-0157, email nvega19@alamo.edu or visit komensanantonio.org.
Friday
Saturday
SAC Event: Mass and Meal with the Rev. Jonathan Felux 12:15 p.m. in Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Cour tland Place. Call 210-7363752. SAC Performance: Choir concert sponsored by the fine arts department 1 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-1030.
Event: Microsoft retail store opening 10:30 a.m. at the Shops at La Cantera, 1500 La Cantera Parkway. First 100 people get tickets for concert and meet-andgreet with Kelly Clarkson. Concert starts at 5 p.m. Call 210-507-6650. Event: Luminaria art show 7 p.m.-midnight at Hemisfair park. Free admission. Call 210-212-4999 or email info@luminariasa.org.
SAC Event: Reservationfree gaming 1:30 p.m.4 p.m. in the cyber café in Loftin. Bring your own game, console and student ID. Continues Fridays through May. Call 210486-0129.
At the Feb. 18 Student Government Association meeting, the main topic of discussion was the importance of SGA officers and members to attend SGA meetings and events. SGA Secretary Justin Wideman, biology and pre-nursing sophomore, encouraged all SGA officers and members to attend all meetings and events. “Being here and at the events is very important,” he said. The association hosted 60 students and teachers visiting from Southwest Texas High School at 10 a.m. Feb. 22. Guests toured the campus and inquired about clubs, activities and services that San Antonio College provides. President Robert Zeigler, at the Feb. 14 Pepsi with the President, supported a continued ban on concealed weapons on campus for both students and employees. But the big topic was standardized books. SGA supports a plan for one textbook per subject to lower the costs of higher education and raise the supply of textbooks. President Robert Zeigler encouraged students to speak out along with faculty on this issue. The Faculty Senate opposed one textbook per course during the Feb.
SAC Event: Leadership Forum: Vision, Mission and Purpose 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. March 22 SAC Performance: “Live in Loftin” Music Series featuring jazz music 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128. SAC Event: Open Mic Coffee Night, presented by the Cheshyre Cheese Club 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.
Event: First annual Maverick Music Festival 6:30 p.m. at Maverick Plaza, 418 La Villita St. Featuring The Todies, Girl in a Coma, Arum Rae, Henry + the Invisibles and more. Tickets $28 in advance, $33 at the door. Visit www.maverickmusicfestival.com.
SAC Meeting: NonTraditional Students Club meets 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. in Room 301 of the nursing and allied health complex. Free for all students. Call 210-486-0455.
21 forum with Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor for academic success. As SGA vice-president, anthropology sophomore Mike Martinez put it, “We’re the ones reading the books.” SGA will ask students what they prefer: standardized textbooks or e-books. Andrew Hubbard, business administration and management freshman, a student attending the SGA meeting, hoped faculty would voice their opinions to the students. Hubbard said “a representative, a professor or chair” of each department should convey their views to the students. The students should then decide what they want to do. “The most visibility is best to student bodies,” Hubbard said. The SGA will try to set up an open forum for students to discuss standardized books and other issues. Wideman then complimented SGA officers and members on “a really good job so far this semester.” He also encouraged the officers and members graduating or transferring this year to support SGA elections in April. “We need to have participation up in elections, so we don’t put it all on the president to appoint new officers,” Wideman said The next Pizza with the President is noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday and will be streamed online. The broadcast will be covered on
March 19
PAC event: Anti-bullying conference 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the performing arts center. Call 210-486-3125.
March 25 SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860126.
SGA wants feedback for one-textbook proposal sac-ranger@alamo.edu
ACCD Meeting: The Standing Committees for the Alamo Colleges board of trustees will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan. Call 210-485-0030.
March 23
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. Call 210486-0658.
Last week By Michael Meinen
March 13
SAC Event: Leadership Forum: Attitude is Everything 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. SAC Deadline: Final deadline to apply for spring graduation. Applications must be turned in by 5 p.m. Call 210-486-0200 or email sac-grad@alamo.edu. March 28 SAC Meeting: President’s Roundtable 2 p.m-3:30 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. April 3
Andrew Hubbard, business administration management freshman, discusses a concern about standarized textbooks and difficult access to the association’s Facebook page during the Student Government Association meeting Monday in Loftin. Meetings are open to all students. Monica Correa the SAC Twitter and Facebook page. Students can Tweet and Facebook questions. The SGA’s new amended constitution has not been ratified. On Feb. 11, SGA voted to amend its constitution to add two officers: a historian and a parliamentarian. The constitution needs the signatures of President Robert Zeigler; Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of academics and student engagement; Emma Mendiola, dean of student affairs; and Emily Kahanek, interim director of student life. The signatures have not been
obtained yet. When asked who would be chosen for the new positions, SGA Secretary Justin Wideman said, “No one has been chosen yet.” SGA President Jacob Wong, psychology sophomore did not attend the meeting because he was attending Alamo Community College District Strategic Planning Meeting downtown. The meeting involved the leaders of the Alamo Colleges, district and community, who meet to discuss plans for the district. More than 140 people were in attendance.
SAC Event: HealthFest, an information expo of more than 55 exhibitors, sponsored by the kinesiology department and Wellness Committee, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Gym 1 & 2 of Candler. Open to the public. Call 210486-1025. SAC Event: Spa Day, sponsored by the Psychology Club, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. April 4 SAC Event: Résumé writing workshop 11 a.m.-noon in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126.
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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
12 • March 4, 2013
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Black Student Union was about issues Dividing duties and roles led members into a lifetime of effective activism. By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
John Sanders spoke as a panelist Feb. 17 at an event honoring Black History Month and the founders of the Black Student Union, the first recognized black student group at this college. In a follow-up interview Feb. 23, he said they were meeting as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, but when more began attending, they decided to make it official with this college with a charter application that was approved in 1972. “If you were black, you hung out at the Methodist Student Center,” Sanders said. “It was where SNCC met.” He said the group divided duties between themselves generously and focused on issues such as the need to learn black history and support each other when discriminated against. He said if the group did not keep the activity and responsibilities of the group spread out among those involved, then the group could be damaged if one or two main people got hurt or graduated. He said the FBI and San Antonio Police Department regularly watched members because the federal government and some local leaders in the City of San Antonio considered them a threat. “We took pictures of them taking pictures of us, their license tags, cars, and took them to Jane Macon, the first woman city attorney at the time,” he said. The group would go to her office and make suggestions about how the police department was wasting money and time with needless surveillance. “We weren’t worried because we were doing everything right,” Sanders said. Members obtained their own FBI files through the Freedom of Information Act. He said they would compare the size of their files and joke about how a member needed to be more active because his FBI file was not as thick as someone else’s. Sanders transferred to St. Philip’s after a semester of picketing and protesting at this college. He began working for Texas
Workforce Commission in spring 1971 and worked there 39 years, but he always continued activism efforts. He said he worked his activist activities around his job the right way and always on properly time off work. He laughed when he said it would not be a good thing to be seen on television protesting downtown when he had called in sick. Sanders has worked at both local and federal levels with several other activists and community organizations including boycotts and rallies since age 17. In his 50s, he reconnected with Beverly Watts Davis. He said, “She was the State of Texas’ war on drugs, appointed by then Gov. George Bush. Members of San Antonio Fighting Back, a nonprofit working to prevent drug abuse and violence, brought Davis back home to work with them. Sanders said SAFB was recognized in Austin by the State of Texas for best practices. Then, the group received an award as the drug war’s coalition of the year in Washington, D.C., in 1996. After that, SAFB began receiving calls from cities across the country asking for help. Sanders spent six years traveling for San Antonio Fighting Back helping other cities with the development of their organizations, educating them about the realities of drug use in their areas. “I was showing cities that they had gangs, and they were not just blacks,” Sanders said. He gave slide presentations on gangs in their cities, interpreted graffiti and taught cities to understand that the drug problem went way beyond the poor neighborhoods. “All the populations were selfmedicating, but some could not afford the luxury of hiding their addiction,” Sanders said. “Drugs and alcohol were everywhere.” Organizations for Eastside Development was a successful eight-group coalition that existed from 1979-1990 and changed into Frontline 2000. Sanders was an active leader in both and participated in an effort to get the state to recognize a holiday for Martin Luther King Day. According to the City of San
Antonio, the Martin Luther King Day March in this city was founded by the late Rev. R.A. Callies in 1978 with about 50 marchers. They marched with every year, regardless of weather or lack of media coverage. Some of the original people from the group included students from this college such as T.C. Calvert, John Sanford, Mario Marcel Salas, and many others from local SNCC and other civil rights organizations. Eventually, many original marchers became part of Frontline 2000, a civil and human rights group that led a demand for Martin Luther King Day recognition as a Texas holiday. In 1991, the group traveled to Austin and met with Speaker of the House Gib Lewis. Frontline 2000 threatened an economic boycott of the Superbowl in Houston to persuade Texas legislators to pass the bill. The bill was passed that year. The event in San Antonio has always been held as a march because they are remembering the marches of the 1960s. Sanders said some cities have parades, but parades do not reflect what happened within the civil rights movement. “Martin Luther King never paraded. He marched,” Sanders said. He said there were no people on the sidelines holding balloons or cheering for floats; instead, they were throwing bricks and spitting. “You don’t go to a march with the assurance you are going to come home,” he said. “It was a very serious undertaking, so we do a commemorative march.” When Sanders talked about black activism in this city and across the state, he said, “It wasn’t about personality; it was about the issues.” “You can vote about anybody and go home, but you got to keep going, meet and communicate, flood him (elected representative) with whatever you need.” Sanders continues to add to more than 40 years as a civil rights activist, including annual trips to Washington, D.C., from 1979-1995. Sanders said he would like to tell young citizens of color today: “Believe it or not, they do have a responsibility to take this baton, to
Mario Salas (left), Stevie Wonder (center), John Sanders (fourth from left) meet at the Black Music Board Dec. 7, 1979. Courtesy carry it forth to the next generation and equip the next generation and know why they are carrying it.” “The price that was paid for them to have the baton is too great to drop.” He said people talk about the Holocaust, but not much about middle passage , the slave trade across the Atlantic, during which millions lost their lives. He said African Americans need to understand who they are because they represent civilizations that built the pyramids and mastered math
and engineering in ways beyond our understanding today. “Cleopatra didn’t look like Elizabeth Taylor,” he said.
John Sanders leads a local boycott of Jam Productions in 1979 that received support from the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Courtesy
Activist wants East Side tour to teach black history By Paula Christina Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Former City Councilman Mario Marcel Salas is an alumnus of this college who has focused on making a difference as an activist for the past 30 years. As co-founder in 1972 of the Black Student Union, the first chartered black student group at this college, he was honored at a Black History Month event sponsored by the Black Student Alliance Feb. 17. In a follow-up interview Feb. 19, Salas said activism is still a part of him. “The power of institutional racism is diluted, but it hasn’t gone away,” he said. On his list of things to do is the establishment of an annual historic tour of the East Side of San Antonio. He first gave the tour as part of an AfricanAmerican studies class he was teaching. About 40 participants attended his first tour Oct. 15, 2011, including NOWCastSA, a local media organization.
He said posting a note about the tour on Facebook led to members of the community joining the group. Video clips are available at the website, but he sees the opportunity to connect people to each other and to the history of the East Side. Speaking about passing on black history to the next generation, he said, “There has to be a project to bring the two groups together, going over black history or brown history, whatever the case may be.” He is willing to speak, participate in documentary projects and continue writing as his part of keeping black history and events in memory. Salas said he wants minorities to know and understand that many people opposed white supremacy and racism and gave their lives in opposition to it so people of color could be recognized as equal human beings. “I get so sick of people saying the majority believed slavery was OK,” he said. “Psychological terror was committed against black and white.”
After graduating from Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, Salas began his activism in 1969 with the national Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and quickly became a local leader. He said San Antonio SNCC was known for its uniqueness because it also up held Black Panther ideologies. Salas said members wore a uniform with the denim of SNCC and the berets of the Black Panthers. Members of SNCC across the country included Asians and whites, not just blacks. The Black Panthers fought for all who were oppressed. As a result, the local chapter gave free breakfast to schoolchildren, provided free legal support, free groceries and free shoes, he said. Salas said there was an ongoing surveillance presence from the FBI, sometimes with embedded members. They were aware of bugged telephone lines, photography from rooftops and embedded
spies. Salas said he used his electronics skills to be the group’s “sweeper” for government listening devices. In the 1970s, SNCC dissolved, but San Antonio had one of the longest-running chapters in the United States, fading away in the late 1970s. Salas went on to earn masters’s degrees in education and political science. He was elected to City Council in 1997 and served two terms. The State of Texas passed a bill designating Martin Luther King Jr. Day a state holiday thanks to the efforts of Salas and others in Frontline 2000, a nonprofit organized in the early 1990s. The prominent role played by Salas and others with this holiday being recognized by the State of Texas is one of the main reasons San Antonio has one of the largest MLK marches in the nation. About 100,000 people marched this year in San Antonio.
News
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March 4, 2013 • 13
Engaged citizens, not passive inhabitants As a 6-year-old, Watts saw leadership in her young classmates. By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The list of achievements by Beverly Watts Davis, former director of the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, is long enough to fill a few pages. During a discussion of the panelist’s experiences founding the first black student group and pushing for educational equality at this college on Feb. 17, journalism sophomore Ivie Okungbowa asked a question. She asked how she could learn more black history, find groups and get involved in preserving black history and continuing their work. Davis replied, “Help us.” In an interview on Feb. 23, Davis expanded her answer and said she does not know of current civil rights groups in San Antonio, but students can become involved in learning by joining national black sororities, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority just celebrated 105 years since its inception as the first intercollegiate Greekletter sorority established and incorporated by Black women at Howard University.
In the 1950s and 1960s, sororities and fraternities were a common feature of student life at this college, but most have dissolved. Currently, the historically black fraternities and sororities with San Antonio chapters are open to students from many area four-year colleges and universities. In addition to sororities and fraternities, Davis said the generation that marched and mobilized in the 1960s and 1970s needs to find a way to preserve their history directly, through social events, filmmaking, print media or audio recordings. She said history is not easy to make or document. Davis said she is open to participating in any projects to document the history of local people who participated in the efforts for civil rights and equal treatment of minorities. “Leadership is about finding someone who will join you in your mission,” Davis said. “The best times will be when you reach out.” She said the one thing she wants young African-Americans, or anyone, to know and understand is, “Live your life as if you intend it to matter.” She said we need engaged citizens instead of passive inhabitants. In 1962, she was 6 years old, and her dad was stationed in Pensacola,
Fla. and her assigned school was a black school. She said her mom looked at the school and refused to send her kids there. “She made such a fuss, there was an order given I be allowed to attend regular school,” Davis said. She said the National Guard was ordered to escort her and her sister to school, and they had to endure the spitting and the flying objects people threw at them. “As a 6-year-old, I had a teacher who was horrible to me and wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom,” she said. One day, she had an accident in class and the teacher humiliated her, she said. “A little girl stood up for me and said, ‘she didn’t do that, a dog came in the room and I saw the dog do it,’” Davis said. “The little girls started mobilizing for me, taking more time in the bathroom so I could have a chance at the end of the line.” She said this was a life-changing experience. “It taught me what real leadership was,” Davis said. “They were putting themselves at risk.” Davis described another time when her school attendance required protection. She said a woman with a badge was employed to protect her
John Sanders and Beverly Watts Davis represent San Antonio Fighting Back and receive Coalition of the Year Award. Courtesy dorm at Trinity University by staying in the common area of the dorm. She said car vandalism, a fire, a break-in and threats were all part of her experience in college. Davis went on to graduate in 1979 with a triple major in psychology, economics and sociology and given a distinguished alumni award in 2009. Her achievements include election to the Austin Community College board of trustees in 1992. From there, she was recruited back to her home town of San Antonio to join San Antonio Fighting Back, a nonprofit engaged in preventing drug abuse and drug-con-
nected violence. She said the endeavor was so successful, the organization received calls from across the country to help other cities learn how to organize similar programs. She said they helped cities develop strategies and build the capacity to handle the needs of law enforcement, city councils and neighborhoods regarding gangs, drugs and violence. She continues a life of service at local, state and federal levels on issues surrounding drug abuse, community rehabilitation, violence prevention and ex-offender programs.
Successful African-American lawyers offer experiences, advice Panelists invite students to on-the-job shadows. By Paula Christine Schuler sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Judge Carmen Kelsey of the 289th Judicial District Court in Bexar County said she grew up indigent and knew she could not help her family if she could not help herself. Five practicing African-American legal professionals joined a panel moderated by criminal justice Adjunct Dexter E. Gilford, J.D., in honor of Black History Month to discuss issues for black Americans in the legal profession in Texas Feb. 20 in the nursing complex. Panelists included Attorney Tamu K. “TK” Floyd, J.D; Judge Carmen Kelsey of the 289th Judicial District Court in Bexar County; Lisa Tatum, president of State Bar of Texas; Judge Andrew Carruthers; and criminal defense attorney Stephanie Boyd, J.D. Each panelist agreed students should consider passion first; if there is strong passion, then the student will find a way to pay for it and get through to graduation. “Foremost, it starts with your desire,” Floyd said. “If law school is an excuse for not really knowing what you want, then don’t.” She said many students do attend law school and waste a lot of time and expense only to realize with regret they should have done something else. Gilford asked how much representation minorities have in legal professions and if diversity is threatened or is still a viable value. Panelists quickly moved to say diversity is critically important. Tatum said, “There absolutely is value.” She said diversity helps with the exchange of ideas and backgrounds. Tatum said minorities are not proportionately represented in law professions in Texas and acknowledged the agreement of all the panelists that diversity is important for the exchange of ideas and understanding people. “The challenge is how to get the numbers (of minority professionals practicing in Texas) to recognize their value and recognize themselves,” she said. “What are the needs we want the diversity to address?” Floyd said diversity is valuable, but minori-
ties have to take responsibility as individuals. “There is diversity on this panel, our beliefs, backgrounds, even though we look kind of homogenous,” Floyd said. “Companies want to know who is working on their cases,” she said. “They don’t care about your race. They want to know you are qualified.” She said students can get themselves into law school and then pass the bar exam, but it is not race or other factors of diversity that will keep them employed in the legal profession. She described her background of working for various international law firms, her work as a clerk in an appellate court just under the federal U.S. Supreme Court and her degree from an Indiana university. Factors of diversity go beyond race and gender and can include differences of background in terms of education, international work experience, faith, and exposure to different cultures on large and small scales. Compared to a lawyer who has lived and worked only in San Antonio, an attorney trained in Massachusetts or an attorney who has practiced in Hawaii and grew up in Puerto Rico brings diversity to work here in this city. Panelists agreed law students need passion more than money or family. Carruthers said, “I went to law school without buying a single book.” He said others were getting $100,000 loans and living a high life. “I lived bare bones,” he said. “Money is no barrier to you going to law school.” Tatum said she received a full scholarship when she attended college in Massachusetts after being contacted by diversity recruitment staff. She said, “It was not my race or gender, but my geographic location that was the diversity for me.” When choosing a college or a major, panelists backed each other up and agreed passion was the thing to consider first; if there was a strong passion, then the student would find a way to pay for it and get through to graduation. “Foremost, it starts with your desire,” Floyd
Judge Carmen Kelsey talks about how hard it was for her to get in to law school and tells students not to let their race affect their goals Wednesday in Room 218 of the nursing complex. Monica Correa said. “If law school is an excuse for not really knowing what you want, then don’t.” She said many students attend law school and waste a lot of time and expense only to realize they should have done something else. Floyd said, “If you have a true desire, then be open geographically.” She said students might want to stay home, but if North Dakota sees a student as a source of diversity for their school because the student is from Texas, then that might make full scholarships possible. She said the students need to be open to living in areas they do not like. “You can do anything for three years,” Floyd said. Panelists gave tips on preparing for the LSAT exam, which is required for entrance into law school. They advised students to take English, logic and math classes. Carruthers said he thought it took a lot more to be an engineer than to be a lawyer. “If you can read and write and understand the English language, you can make it through law school.” He said law school requires skills with logic, debate and strong reading comprehension.
Honorable Judge Andrew Caruthers congratulates Lisa Tatum, president of State Bar of Texas, for being the first African-American president of the bar. Juliana Huff Panelists discussed hard work and moving past real or perceived obstacles, such as lack of property or social support, to achieve dreams. Each panelist extended a warm welcome to any student to contact them for questions or advice or to arrange to spend time shadowing them while they work in the courts.
Pulse
14 • March. 4, 2013
Gym shorts Final Scores Wednesday Men’s basketball St. Philip’s 105 Incarnate Word 73 Northwest Vista 95 Victoria 97 Palo Alto 56 Southwest Texas Junior 123 Women’s basketball St. Philip’s 67 Incarnate Word 46
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Four more players needed for women’s soccer The team is invited to a state tournament. By Carlos Ferrand
cferrand@student.alamo.edu
Even though the women’s soccer season has started, Coach Roger Molina is still looking for four more players to fill the roster. In the last two weeks, the team has suffered three injuries. “We had a hamstring injury and
a sprained ankle last week. These injuries can take weeks or months to heal,” Molina said. Injuries are a part of the game, but the team needs to add more girls to deal with it, he said. Molina is not looking for any specific position, so any student interested in joining the team should contact him as soon as possible, he said. This college’s soccer team is undefeated at 4-0 and has been
invited to participate in the South Texas State Cup. Last spring, this college finished fourth-place in the cup, and returning player criminal justice sophomore Iris Solis expects more this time around. “We want to place either first or second this time,” she said. The final roster for the South Texas State Cup is April 1. Students interested can tryout during team practices from 5
Parkour Club seeks more members
Northwest Vista 56 Victoria 66
By Michael Peters
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Palo Alto 36 Southwest Texas Junior 52 Women’s soccer San Antonio 4 S.A. Badgers 1
Upcoming games Men’s basketball Wednesday Northwest Vista at Palo Alto, 8 p.m. at Aquatic Center/Gymnasium Incarnate Word at Southwest Texas Junior, 8 p.m. at La Forge Hall and gymnasium, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde St. Philip’s at Victoria , 8 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Women’s basketball Wednesday Northwest Vista at Palo Alto, 6 p.m. at Aquatic Center/Gymnasium Incarnate Word at Southwest Texas Junior, 6 p.m. at La Forge Hall and gymnasium, 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde St. Philip’s at Victoria, 6 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Thursday Women’s volleyball St. Philip’s at Victoria, 7 p.m. at Sports Center, 2200 E. Red River St. Incarnate Word at Trinity, 7 p.m. at Sams Gymnasium
Carlos Ferrand
p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. on Saturday in San Pedro Springs Park, 1415 San Pedro Ave. Students must be registered in at least six credit hours and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Players will be required to attend at least one practice per week. For more information, call Molina at 210-265-7310 or email rogermolina81@yahoo.com.
Kinesiology sophomore Nicole Martin snags one of the 10 rebounds she had in the game, and puts it back up for 2 points during St. Philip’s victory over Incarnate Word 67-46 Wednesday at St. Philip’s heath and fitness center. Carlos Ferrand
Mindset key to surviving active shooter Nearby shooting prompts lockdown at Northeast Lakeview College. By Jennifer Luna
jluna217@student.alamo.edu
Gunfire is the last thing students expect to hear on campus, but the afternoon of Feb. 22, a nearby shooting caused the district police to order a lockdown of Northeast Lakeview College. A shooting around 2 p.m. in the 7400 block of Kitty Hawk followed a car chase that left sheriff’s Deputy Manuel Herrera wounded and a suspect dead. The college was locked down for about two minutes, a routine safety procedure. About 4:23 p.m., police Chief Don Adams sent a districtwide email detailing the incident. Had the incident occurred on or moved onto the campus, the information in Cpl. Marisa Saccio’s active shooter presentation 11 a.m. Tuesday at this college would have proved vital. Saccio played a 1-minute recording of bullets fired in a shooting range and asked participants to count the shots. They counted 48, the number Saccio said are in a standard handgun. People do not think a shooting is likely to happen near them or to find themselves in the middle of a Newtown, Conn., mass shooting. A video, “Shots fired on Campus,” detailed courses of action, such as figuring out a plan to get out or hide or call for help. Other suggestions included keeping out if the shooting is in the building, spreading out to hide, and “taking out”
Corporal Marisa Saccio gives a demonstration on blocking doors in case a shooter tries to go in a classroom Tuesday in Room 208 of Nursing. Monica Correa if you plan to fight the shooter. Saccio said none of the actions is wrong, but the most important action is survival mindset. She said individuals need to think, “I’m going to try to get out of here as best as I can.” Saccio said about 95 percent of active shooters are male, but “our society is changing; it could be anybody.” Saccio recalled the story of a female student calling the district police and saying there was a young man outside of a classroom at 9 a.m. every Wednesday. Saccio said the police ultimately had to issue the man a criminal trespass warning because he was not a student and had been stalking his ex-girlfriend for three weeks. Saccio encouraged the participants in the training to communicate with campus police. “Behavior escalates,” Saccio said. “It starts little. It can be something or it can be nothing.”
Ever wanted to traverse a roof gap or stairwell with a single leap? Then parkour could be your chance to learn how. This college’s Parkour Club has five members and is currently looking for more. The club, which was founded last semester by computer science freshman Alex Valdez, is “in the process of recruiting more members.” “We meet 3:15 p.m. Thursdays at San Pedro Springs Park,” said Nathan Gomez, president and physical therapy freshman. According to howstuffworks. com, parkour is an international discipline, sport and hobby best described as the art of forward motion in spite of obstacles. Parkour is highly demanding to the entire body trying any moves without prior training, conditioning and proper instruction can result in serious injury. “Some days, we’ll solely focus on physical training,” Valdez said. Gomez said, “New members will learn how to move over,
EMERGENCY from Page 7
under and through obstacles by using nothing more than the human body’s natural movements. The club teaches members to be more visually aware of their surroundings and to train the mind how to deal with mental obstacles while the body is simultaneously learning how to overcome physical obstacles,” Gomez said. “The club teaches discipline, determination and dedication; members will learn how to move in ways they’ve never been able to before.” According to sites.google. com/site/parkourevolutions, the earliest development of parkour can be traced back to French naval officer Georges Hebert whose early 1900s obstacle course training is now standard in military training. David Belle, parkour’s founder, became interested in this type of training through his father, a former member of the French military. Parkour has made numerous appearances in recent pop culture, including the opening scene of 2006 film “Casino Royale,” starring Daniel Craig. For more information, call Gomez at 210-573-2447.
By the end of the year, Legg said the disEmergency management Coordinator trict would go to each campus to conduct Patrick Tobin said he is developing outreach fire drills in each building on the campus. to make people more aware of emergency The fire drills will tell if everyone in plans. the building was evacuated from the build“Awareness is one of the biggest battles ing, how fast students and employees were we fight all the time,” he said. evacuated, and if the fire department is Tobin said a challenge was getting contacted. through “the buzz,” the media Legg said this college that surrounds students every was huge compared to View the safety day that makes them obliviother colleges in the district plan at www. ous to messages around them. because of this college’s alamo.edu/sac/ In the next year to year size, and capacity. emergency-plan/ and a half, he will be working Because of this, Legg on strategies to bring awaresays it causes concern when ness in emergency situations. doing drills, and completing Tobin has been the emergency managethe drills will take time. ment coordinator for Alamo Colleges for Legg said because drills have not been six months and has been in the profession performed in the past, involving this colfor 35 years. Tobin attended Minot State lege’s employees will be challenging when University, at North Dakota and was CEO taking part of these practice drills. at Tao Emergency Management Consulting Legg mentioned action teams were going located at El Dorado, Calif. for 25 years. to be established. Mike Legg, director of Enterprise In each building, there will be an action Management, has been with the district for team leader to make sure everyone is evacutwo years. ated from the building. On each floor, there Legg said before he arrived to work for will be another leader who will make sure the district, the Alamo campuses did not each person is evacuated as well as in each have a set emergency plan. classroom. Legg said the district was “kicking over In 2014, Legg said there will be five pracrocks,” and realized there was a need for a tice drills, such as an active shooter drill, or full-time individual committed to the emerwhat to do in severe weather. gency plan specifically. This opened the “Once we do these drills, it will increase door for Tobin. Legg said Tobin helps “push awareness,” said Legg. “It will be a major that rock over the hill.” training component for us.”
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March 4, 2013• 15
Alternate spring break By Michael Meinen sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Spring break is usually a time of relaxation and reflection on past semesters. But the office of student life is offering an opportunity for students to gain community service experience while having fun. Student life is hosting alternative spring break in Bastrop from March 12-14. The event is sponsored by the college’s center for civic engagement. Students participating in the alternative spring break will be able to help the citizens who are still recovering from devastating wildfires of 2011, the worst in Texas history. The first 12 students to apply can
attend. However, that number may change based on the ratio of male and female students attending. “We can only fit three people in a room,” said Emily Kahanek, interim director of student life. Students applying must not be on academic probation or other discipline of any kind. Students will work with BastropRelief.org from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 12 and 13. Students will then lodge at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. The resort features hiking trails, canoeing, swimming, stargazing and other activities. For more information, visit www.lostpines.hyatt.com. Lodging and transportation costs will be covered, but students must
bring a $50 deposit. Kahanek said, “Last year, we had several students apply for attending, but at the last minute, they changed their minds, and while we had a waiting list of other people hoping to go, we were unable to fill the spaces.” She said she hopes that the deposit will help encourage students to attend. Students who attend will receive their deposit during the trip “and that will help pay for food and other activities,” Kahanek said. Students are encouraged to bring work clothes “that students don’t mind getting dirty or ripped,” she said. Students should also bring tennis shoes, sunscreen, a hat and “a
On Sept. 5, 2011, firefighters battled a wildfire on Highway 71 near Smithville. The wildfire destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and nearly two years later, recovery continues. AccuNet/AP good attitude,” she said. Apply to be a part of the group at: https//orgsync.com/25432/
forms/69074. For more information, Kahanek at 210-486-0127.
call
The San Antonio Museum of Art is exhibiting “Artists Take Initiative: Artist-Run Spaces in San Antonio Today” at 6 p.m. March 15 in the museum’s auditorium, 200 W. Jones Ave. David S. Rubin, curator of the Brown Foundation of Contemporary Art, will interview Kimberly Aubuchon from Unit B, Rex Hausmann from Hausmann Millworks, Luis Lopez from La Casa Rosa, and Justin Parr from Flight. “Each artist will give a 10-minute presentation about their organization,” Rubin said. “How it started, what their focus is, and how they operate.” Rubin said as curator, he oversees the museum’s contemporary art collection and organizes exhibitions. He is the liaison between the museum and the San Antonio contemporary art and artist community. He said he regularly attends as many art openings around town as possible.
“Students can learn how artists have succeeded as entrepreneurs providing spaces for San Antonio’s artists to exhibit and sell their work,” Rubin said. “They can learn about venues that may be new to them. Students are always welcome to attend the art openings at these artist-run spaces.” Rubin said he has been active in contemporary art for 30-plus years. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in art history from Harvard University. He began working in the International Association of Art Critics in 1980. He curated the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans from 2000-2006. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for students and military members with an ID. Free with college ID. For more information, call 210-987-8100.
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%
900,000 clients served by
6 million+
Planned Parenthood-supported partners in 10 developing countries.
activists, supporters, and donors.
of clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancies.
3%
of all services are abortion services
584,000
estimated number
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
3/4
By Jahna Lacey
8 in 10
‘Artists Take Initiative’ exhibit at SAMA
of unintended pregnancies averted by contraceptive services each year.
in male clients 105% increase from 2000 to 2010.
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Week celebrates women in art, politics By Emily Rodriquez
ness from childhood to womanhood. A reception for both artists will be 1 p.m.-3 A schedule of events honoring women in p.m. on the second floor of the visual arts cenart and politics begins today, as part of the 21st ter gallery. annual Women’s History Week at this college. Sheffield’s work “Tethered” and Padilla’s Unlike other years, there is no theme for this “Recent Works” began their exhibition in the year’s Women’s History Week. center Jan. 22, and will be on display through “It fell into different categories. We thought March 27. it was OK to do different themes,” said art hisOn Wednesday, two lectures about women tory Professor Debra Schafter. “We all come in the Middle East and Islam are in Room 120 from different disciplines. Everybody had good of the visual arts center. ideas, but they went in different directions.” At 10 a.m., political science Professor Asslan Library Coordinator Eileen Oliver said the Khaligh, will discuss “The Changing Status of purpose of the weeklong event is to show the Women in the Middle East and Beyond.” importance of women in the At 11 a.m., Sarwat Husain, country and the world that stua founding president of the For more dents may not hear in class. San Antonio Chapter of the information, call Three events will take place Council on American-Islamic Carol Britt at today in Room 120 of the visual Relations, will discuss women arts center. and Islam. 486-0659. Art Professor Marleen On Thursday, speakers Hoover will present “Women of from Fuerza Unida will disthe Armory Show” at 10 a.m. cuss the formation of their Hoover’s presentation will company and present a fashdiscuss women artists who were involved in ion show displaying their designs 12:15 p.m.the 1913 Armory Show of Modern Art and will 1:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student go over some of the women’s biographies and Center. works. A pizza lunch will follow the presentation The Armory Show brought modern art to and fashion show. America with the works of 300 internationally Fuerza Unida works to create awareness of famous artists. Only 45 out of 300 were women. women in the work place and the environment. At 11 a.m., Elizabeth Roath, from the According to the Fuerza Unida website, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, will present local group was formed in 1990 when one of a proposal discussing the 1941 docent-training the Levi Strauss factories on the South Side of course for the members of the Junior League, San Antonio closed, leaving more than 1,150 the importance the organization held at the workers without jobs and contrasting severtime and the difficulty of historically researchance pay. ing women. As a result of the plant closure, the women At noon, artists H. Jennings Sheffield and together demanded fair compensation, as well Gissette Padilla will discuss aspects of memory as better working conditions for workers in in their artwork that reflects stages of awareother factories. sac-ranger@alamo.edu
!
Above: “12:00pm-2:00pm (Sept. 29, Oct. 12, Nov. 19, Feb. 18)” by H. Jennings Sheffield, is part of her “Tethered” exhibit on display through March 22 in the visual arts center.
Left: “Desde Cabimas” Gissette Padilla, is part of “Recent Works” exhibit on play throught March 22 in visual arts center. Courtesy
by her disthe