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ranger Serving San Antonio College since 1926
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Volume 89 Issue 3 • Sept. 29, 2014
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Nursing sophomore Jesus Barrera registers to vote Sept. 23 in the mall with the help of Karen Elliot, SGA president and American Sign
Language sophomore. Eleven colleges, including the five Alamo Colleges, registered students for National Voter Registration Day. The
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last day to register to vote is Oct. 6. Early voting starts Oct. 20-31 for the Nov. 4 election. EcoCentro is an early voting site. Neven Jones
Students concerned, upset about generic degrees By M.J. Callahan
mcallahan7@student.alamo.edu
English adjunct Mariano Aguilar brought last week’s article “Generic degrees in lieu of specified majors” to his class because he said students needed to know. And students had a lot to say about it. “I found out about it (Sept. 19) in a department meeting and then I read The Ranger article (Sept. 22) so it hit me completely out of left field. I am still trying to gather data;
that’s why I brought it up to my (COMM) 1301 students,” Aguilar said. “Some of the students are still processing what’s going on. I am definitely worried about this,” Aguilar said. District officials say this model will let students transfer with all of their credit hours, helping them transfer to their specific institution, not this college’s specific degree plan. “How many first time stu-
dents know what they want to study?” nutrition sophomore Chelsea Collier said. She also wondered whether students even know what university they want to transfer to right away. “When I started at this college I had no clue what I wanted to do and have changed my degree twice before deciding what I wanted to do with my life and education,” Collier said. “I feel a bit rushed to find
a college to transfer to,” she said. “I begin to question which school I want to transfer to, and if I even want to stay in Texas. Now with the ‘generic degrees’ I feel more pressure to choose a university to get out of San Antonio College,” Collier said. Continuing education student Jackie Velez, 35, was a student at this college 14 years ago as an American Sign Language major and is now back as a
radio-television-broadcasting sophomore. “Honestly, when I came back I had no idea what I’d be in for, but the one thing that I thought I knew for sure was that when all is said and done that I’d have an associate degree with my name and what I studied on the paper. To me that’s not just a paper; it’s my life,” Velez said. She said she felt cheated and lost a chance for further certification.
Music freshman Lesly Palomares has been working on her core classes for three semesters so she can focus on classes next semester. “If I graduate I want my diploma to say that I have an Associate of Arts in Music, not just a plain title,” Palomares said. “I am not sure generic degrees will motivate students to transfer,” Collier said. “This needs to be dealt with,” Velez said.
District requisitions office space in Koehler By Ian Coleman and Bleah B. Patterson
Colleges Foundation was moving into Koehler. Alamo Colleges Foundation is a “separate The Alamo Colleges Foundations, a district- and distinct entity,” Mrizek said. They raise run department for non-profit revenue, scholarmoney for the Alamo Community College ships and donations, moved out of Killen Center District, and they handle donations to the disand into Koehler Cultural Center on Wednesday. trict. This college’s institutional advancement Jim Eskin, executive director of district instistaff in charge of student and tutional advancement, said “The departmental grants for this colpurpose of the (Alamo Colleges See “Historic lege, was moved mid-August from Foundation) is to build relationmarkers near Koehler into Room 012 in Chance ships with donors to culminate campus” Academic Center, scholarship scholarships and gifts for the comon Page 7. Coordinator Irene C. Fuentes said. munity college district.” Fuentes said institutional According to the center’s webadvancement was moved because the Alamo site, Koehler was deeded to the San Antonio Colleges Foundation raises money for scholarUnion Junior College District in 1971 by Otto ships and Koehler is an ideal place for donors and Marcia Koehler. to visit. The Junior College District and the San David Mrizek, vice president of college Antonio Art League operated it as an art censervices, echoed Fuentes saying the Alamo ter for the San Antonio area until 1978, when sac-ranger@alamo.edu
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the name of the district was changed to San Antonio Community College District, Mario Muñiz, director of district public relations, said after consulting with the district’s attorneys Wednesday. Muñiz said in 1982 the district’s name was changed to the Alamo Community College District and as such, it maintained control of Koehler, and maintains it still. This allows the board to make legal decisions as they see fit to benefit the district as a whole, Muñiz said. Fuentes said only the office space on the second floor will be occupied by the office of institutional advancement. “It’s my understanding students will have all of the access they have right now,” Fuentes said. According to an email from Mrizek, foundation staff has reorganized and there is no longer space at Sheridan Street to house the founda-
tion personnel. In an assessment of available suitable locations for the foundation, the Koehler house was identified as a possible location. Discussions were held between former President Robert Zeigler, President Robert Vela, Chancellor Bruce Leslie and Eskin about the feasibility and impacts of relocating the foundation to the Koehler house. The foundation and its board agreed the move is in the best interest of Alamo Colleges. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operations and construction management, confirmed Koehler Cultural Center will still be open to the public, and the move will not affect activities planned there. Eskin said the staff of institutional advancement “greatly appreciates (this college) giving the house to them, and plans to make the most of this gift.”
SAConnected
2 • Sept. 29, 2014
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New Sport Culinary arts freshman Noel Andujo tries to score through fire science freshman and goalie Joshua Wells Saturday during a lacrosse practice at San Pedro Springs Park. See story online. Taylor Tribbey
Creation
Dance freshman Jesus Villarreal plays his original work while dental freshman Karina Garcia reads her poetry notes Tuesday in the mall. Villarreal and Garcia have met every Tuesday after class since the beginning of the semester to share their creative works. Amy Staggs
Animator Robert Gonzales presents his animated series “Ernie” to students in Room 218 of the nursing complex for Hispanic Heritage Month. Gonzales’ animation won an award in the Neighborhood Film Project 3.0 for the South Side category. Gonzales attended San Antonio College in 1991. Manuel Bautista Macias
TODAY TUES WED THUR SAC Event: GED practice test 8 a.m. available to the first 10 people to sign in at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Continues Mondays. Call 210486-0455. SAC Event: “Barrio Gangs of San Antonio” by Dr. Michael Tapia 9:25-10:40 a.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210-4860134. SAC Transfer: University of Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-noon and Our Lady of the Lake University 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-4860342. SAC Meeting: Society of Women Engineers noon in the MESA Center Room 204 of Chance. Continues Mondays. Call 210-485-0085. Concert: Swing Nite with The Waller Creek Vipers 7-8:30 p.m. at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson. $10. Call 210-223- 2830.
SAC Transfer: Texas A&M San Antonio 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in mall; Troy University 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Chance; Texas State University 9:30-11:30 a.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-0342. SAC Workshop: Interview tips 9:3011:30 a.m. at empowerment center, 703 Howard. Call 210-4860455.
SAC Event: MESA orientation 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the MESA Center Room 204 of Chance. Continues Thursday. Call 210-486-0855. SAC Event: Auditions for models, designers and stylists for Nov. 19 fashion show 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fiesta Room of Loftin. Applications in office of student life in Room 260A of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ 1:45 p.m. in Room 002 of Chance. Continues Tuesdays. Calls 210-486-1233.
SAC Event: Volunteer workday at EcoCentro 9 a.m.-noon. Call 210486-0417.
NLC Film: “Cesar Chavez” 3 p.m. in Room 201 of student commons welcome center. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-5404.
SAC Auditions: Casting for three parts in “Technostress,” a short film by student Noah Izbrand 12:30-3 p.m. in student lounge of Longwith. Email noah. izbrand@gmail.com.
SAC Meeting: Chemistry Club 3:30 p.m. in Room 119 of chemistry and geology. Continues Tuesdays. Email bgonzales179@student.alamo. edu.
SAC Transfer: Texas State University Occupational Education Program 2-5 p.m. in transfer center. Call 210-486-0342.
TAMU-SA Workshop: “Giving Credit Where Credit is Due” 5:30-9:30 p.m. in Room 202Q of central academic building. RSVP required. Call 210-784-1500.
NLC Contest: “Our Mascot Needs a Name” with a $100 gift card prize open to NLC and SAC students. Visit www. alamo.edu/nlc/mascot/ or call 210-486-5470.
SAC Meeting: Future Teachers Organization 1:45-2:15 p.m. in Room 103 of Gonzales. Continues Thursdays. Call 210-486-0658. NLC Reading: Poet Travis Mossotti reading, question-and-answer session and book signing 2:30 p.m. in Room 201 of student commons welcome center. Visit http://www. alamo.edu/eventDetail.aspx?id=41529 or call 210-486-5269. Reading: Joe Holley, reading and questionand-answer session on “The Purse Bearer: A Novel of Love, Lust and Texas Politics” 5-7 p.m. at The Twig Book Shop, at 306 Pearl Pkwy. Call 210-826-6411. Trinity Event: Trinity vs. Our Lady of the Lake volleyball game 6-8 p.m. in Sams Gym Room 115 of William Bell Center. Call 210999-8222.
FRI SAC Meeting: Onstage Drama Club 2 p.m. in theater in McCreless. Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0491. SAC Play: “Chato’s Bridge” by Professor Mono Aguilar at 7 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210486-0651. Event: “Texas Art Quilts: The Makers and Their Inspirations” 7-8:30 p.m. at Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 César Chávez. Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210-458-2300. Lecture: “From Idle no more to the Eagle Ford Shale” by Nina Wilson 7 p.m. at Esperanza Center, 922 San Pedro. Call 210228-0201. Concert: Fanning Foyer Festival Concert “Love Letters in Song: The Story of Robert and Clara Schumann” 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. M u l b e r r y. Donations welcome. Call 210738-7721.
SAT MON UPCOMING Event: H-E-B Run/ Walk for United Way 7:30 a.m. at Roosevelt Park, 331 Roosevelt. Entry fees. Register at www.iRunTexas.net.
SAC Event: Chalk Day by The Ranger and the Society of Professional Jouralists 10 a.m.-noon in mall. Call 210-486-1776.
Festival: Fall Festival with music by Los Reyes Band, live auction and classic car show 10 a.m.-11 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway. Call 210654-1643.
Meeting: Stranger than Fiction book club 2-3:30 p.m. in meeting room of Westfall branch library, 6111 Rosedale. Visit http:// www.mysapl.org/calendar.aspx#/?i=2 or call 210-207-9220.
Event: Market Days at Encino Park 9 a.m.5 p.m. at Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio. Call 210-497-3829.
Concert: Swing Nite with Rockin’ Lloyd Tripp 7-8:30 p.m. at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson. Tickets $10. Call 210-223-2830.
SUN
Oct. 8 Contest: Halloween pumpkin decorating contest by office of student life 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Winner announced at costume contest Oct. 30. Call 210-486-0126. Oct. 14 SAC Film: Ted Talk Discussion “Jackson Katz: Violence Against Women — It’s a Men’s Issue” video 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0158. Oct. 22 SAC Event: Octoberfest by office of student life 9 a.m-1 p.m. in mall. Call 210-486-0126. Oct. 24 SAC Event: “Street Fighter IV” tournament 1:30-3:30 p.m. in game room of Loftin with sign-up in office of student life. Call 210-4860125. Nov. 19
St. Mary’s Concert: Aldo and Judith Mancinelli piano recital 3 p.m. at Treadaway Recital Hall. Call 210436-3421. UTSA Concer t: The San Antonio Wind Symphony performance of music by Robert Russell Bennett 5-6:15 p.m. at UTSA recital hall. Call 210-4584354.
Illustrations by Ansley Lewis
SAC Film: “Food, Inc.” by office of student life 10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210486-0158.
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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
www.theranger.org/news
News
Sept. 29, 2014 • 3
AC police ask bicyclists Garage could require IDs to protect parking change is planned but option could to watch for pedestrians No keep outsiders from student spaces. Reckless riders may be asked to walk if offenses continue.
stop riding, Pabon said. Social work sophomore Robert Vanegas said in the spring semester a friend was By Adriana Ruiz told by campus police to get off aruiz168@student.alamo.edu his bike and walk to class. Despite online rules that say Officer Michael Castillo said otherwise, students may ride occasionally students approach their bikes on campus as long him on campus saying they as they do it responsibly, said were bumped or nearly bumped Deputy Chief Joe Pabon Sept. 18. by a cyclist. That means being careful Castillo said students do and courteous to pedestrians, not always want to escalate the he said. situation, but he will still try to According catch up to the to the Alamo cyclists and tell Pedestrians have Colleges police them to be more the right of way, d e p a r t m e n t ’s careful. not bicyclists. website, “Bicycles Castillo said Michael Castillo even though he shall not be operAlamo Colleges ated on pedescannot force stupolice officer trian walkways or dents to stop ridsidewalks, except ing their bikes on for Police Bike Patrol.” the walkways, he will still stop Pabon said the information cyclists and encourage them to on the website is incorrect and walk instead. students are allowed to ride “Pedestrians have the right their bikes. of way, not bicyclists,” Castillo Pabon said he does not know said. when the change was approved, Castillo said he regularly but bikes have never been patrols the campus on his bike, allowed since he began working but whenever there are a lot of here two years ago. people on the walkways he will “At one point, it was not get off his bike and walk. allowed, but now we are encourCastillo said he encourages aging students to do so safely,” students to do the same. Pabon said. “We talk to them and ask In the past, riding bikes, them to be more mindful of skateboards and skates was not traffic,”he said. allowed, and campus officers He said the point is for stuwere required to tell students to dents to get to class safely.
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By Adriana Ruiz
aruiz@student.alamo.edu
The new parking garage at North Main Avenue and Evergreen Street was completed in spring 2014, but the barrier arms in the new and old garages are not in service, said Tim Rockey, dean of continuing education training workforce. Rockey said district officials wanted to charge students $1 per use to park in the garage. He said the barrier arms are built into the garage, but district decided not to pursue the charge because it would require the college to install a kiosk to control parking. “District decided it wouldn’t be a good investment,” Rockey said. Even though students are not being charged to park in the garage, Rockey did not want to rule out the possibility for the future. “I don’t want to rule it out, but I don’t think it’s a priority right now,” he said. According to information on the college website, the original idea was to charge students $1 per use in addition to the $25 student access fee that allows all students to park in any designated student parking lots. Both garages have non-functioning, built-in barrier arms. In the April 11 issue, The Ranger reported according to minute orders from the May 14, 2013, Building, Grounds and Sites Selection Committee, Kratos Public Safety and Security Solutions Inc. was awarded $823,381 for the purchase of “access control components” for the first garage and $480,755 for the Tobin garage. Pamela Ansboury, associate vice chancellor of finance and fiscal services, said the equipment necessary to regulate the $1 per use is already built into the garage, but district has no interest in implementing the kiosks anytime soon. Ansboury said it would not be fitting to expect students to pay $1 per use. “I think it’s more convenient without having to have the cars lined up and trying to put the dollar in.” The Ranger also reported the barrier arms would not be removed because of security measures. “A possible future measure would involve students, faculty and staff to present their ACCD ID at the entrance to deter outsiders from using the garage,” Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said at that time. Ansboury said Alamo Colleges has a parking agreement
Unused kiosk and barrier arms in parking garage Adriana Ruiz with a property company that gives permission to the surrounding clubs along Main Avenue to park in designated areas of the parking garages. Ansboury said the agreement allows club goers to park in “certain areas, during certain days at certain times,” and the rental fees they collect go toward paying for the garages. David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said the Alamo Colleges have been working with the surrounding clubs for about 12 years, and a previous agreement was with Luther’s because the owners also own surrounding businesses. Mrizek said Luther’s owners hired a security company to regulate parking in the garages during the weekend and evenings. He said the security company charges $1 per use to park there during evenings and the security company was in charge of keeping the parking garage clean. The $1 goes toward the clubs’ rental fee.
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
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Sept. 29, 2014 • 5
The constellation Orion and other stars Wednesday in Windcrest with the same equipment and settings used to capture the Milky Way in Utah. Light pollution and other pollutants cause the stars to be barely visible. Daniel Carde
A campfire, about three football fields away, lights pine trees beneath the Milky Way Sept. 20 at Mirror Lake, Utah. At an elevation of 10,050 feet in the Uinta Mountains about 75 miles east of Salt Lake City, in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, light pollution and other pollutants are minimal. Courtesy Daniel Carde
Darkness illuminates the night Association aims to reduce light pollution, preserve the majesty of the night sky. By Juan Anthony Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
If you want to gaze at an extraordinary night sky, the closest place is Dripping Springs, about 90 minutes from San Antonio according to the International Dark-Sky Association. Towns and cities across the globe are joining the Dark-Sky Movement, a collective effort of communities striving to reduce and eliminate light pollution and preserve the night sky. The association is on a mission to protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. The association defines light pollution as any adverse effect of artificial light, including light clutter and sky
glow which is a result of fixtures that emit a portion of their light directly upward into the sky. The association defines “light trespass” when poorly shielded fixtures cast light into unwanted areas. Light pollution wastes energy, affects astronomers and scientists, disrupts global wildlife and ecological balance, and has been linked to negative consequences in human health. The association website states the association was formed in 1988 as the authoritative voice on light pollution. The website also offers information on lighting codes, light guidance for
The constellation Orion and other stars Wednesday in Windcrest, with different settings from the other two photos. Orion is seen early in the morning in August but is prominent in the night sky from November through February. The three stars in the middle of the constellation are called Orion’s Belt, and the orange star is named Betelgeuse. Daniel Carde
ing designers, manufacturers, technical committees, and the public about light pollution. The association strives to educate communities by defining light pollution and its effects on the night sky. H u m a n s aren’t the only ones affected Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa by light pollution; the home and residential areas. ecosystem is also affected, which Fixtures with the association seal includes vegetation, insects and aniof approval are also included on the mals. website, which lists distributors such The association shows the harm as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Green of artificial lighting on the mating, Earth Lighting. migrations and predation behaviors of The association educates lightmany species, creating domino effects
on the surrounding ecological community. The association does recognize cities that promote a community initiative to preserve the night sky. Only eight communities have been recognized as International Dark-Sky Communities. The group designees must adhere to stringent standards that protect the natural night sky through outdoor lighting plans and ensure the continuation of this protection through planning and zoning directives. The six cities in the United States include Flagstaff, Ariz.; Dripping Springs; Borrego, Calif.; Beverly Shores, Ind.; Sedona, Ariz.; and Homer Glen, Ill. The group was conceived in 2001 to recognize communities that had taken extraordinary steps in preserving the natural night. For more information on the association, visit www.darksky.org.
Students invited to view blood moon on garage rooftop Oct. 8 The second blood moon in a two-year series of four lunar eclipses, called a Tetrad, will appear. By R. Eguia
moon’s shadow with a red glow. A complete lunar eclipse A total blood moon will be only happens when the moon visible the morning of Oct. 8 is full and Earth blocks the sunlight normally reflected by the from 5:25-6:24 a.m. Students are invited to join moon. Astronomy Professor Alfred the astronomy department Alaniz explains the red light on the rooftop of the parking is always present but is only garage east of Chance Academic reflected on Center at 5 a.m. the moon’s to see the moon I encourage surface when through binocueveryone to sunlight is lars and small arrange their bent during telescopes. the eclipse. Quality digiown viewings of “I encourtal photos of the the event. age everyone moon can be Alfred Alaniz to arrange captured in the astronomy Professor their own telescope’s eyeviewings of piece. the event,” Alaniz said. A blood moons appear durHe called 2014 a “weird” ing complete lunar eclipses when sunlight is bent through year with a series of super Earth’s atmosphere and fills the moons as was observed August sac-ranger@alamo.edu
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10 and total eclipses appearing consistently. The uncommon moon viewings have triggered many religious responses and biblical allusions from Mayan prophecies to pagan correspondences that Alaniz asserts is, “just cultural folklore.” The series of four eclipses, called a tetrad, is very rare. NASA reports an average of two eclipses per year but most are only partial eclipses, making the 201415 series unusual. The first of the Tetrad appeared April 15 and the final two are April 4 and Sept. 28, 2015.
Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa
6 • Sept. 29, 2014
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Editor Bleah B. Patterson News Editor M.J. Callahan Sections Editor Adriana Ruiz Calendar Editor Pam Paz Staff Writers Jose Arredondo, Anthony B. Botello, Dorothy P. Braziel, Ana Victoria Cano, Casey Levane Coggins, Ian Coleman, Kyle Cotton, R. Eguia, S.T. Fegins, Marina Garcia, Sarah Garrett, Tim Hernandez, Cynthia Herrera, M. Horta, R.T. Gonzalez, David M. Jimenez, Shawntell Johnson, R. Longoria, Deven Malone, Richard Montemayor, Nathalie Mora, Landon Penn, Cassandra M. Rodriguez, Juan Anthony Rodriguez, Lily Teran, Amanda K. Tetens, Jennifer M. Ytuarte Photo Editor Daniel Carde Photographers David Guel, Neven Jones Photo Team Milena Arias, Manuel Bautista, Anthony Carrizales, Christopher Hernandez, Javier Hernandez, Ayesa Hinojosa, Charis Kempen, Chelsea Ann Owen, Reynaldo Ruiz, Amy Staggs, Taylor Tribbey Illustrators Ansley Lewis, Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Mandy Derfler Promotions Manager Katherine Garcia Ansley Lewis ©2014 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
VIEWPOINTS Pell Grants, low-interest loans needed to help students afford college Guest Viewpoint by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett
ONLINE NOW Chancellor Bruce Leslie asks faculty to please stop referring to the Sheridan offices as the “death star” during a special Faculty Senate Q and A meeting Wednesday in visual arts. The death star, as depicted in Faculty Senate President Dawn Elmore’s shirt, is a fictional weapon with the ability to blow up entire planets in the Star Wars movies. Neven Jones
Attorneys evaluating proposed 12-month contracts for faculty Grievance expert urges young men to get educated, know the law
Higher ed or a corporation? For semesters, the Alamo Colleges district has enforced more and more initiatives that put more work on faculty’s schedule, leaving them less time with students. After Chancellor Bruce Leslie relented about replacing humanities courses with EDUC 1300 for all incoming students, the district launched into another FranklinCovey money pit: 4DX or the Four Disciplines of Execution. The Four Disciplines is a self-help book written by Sean Covey, son of Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The Franklin Covey website says, “Unlike most traditional business management strategy training, the purpose of 4DX: Manager Certification is not just for business management strategy, but to help managers create actual work plans.” So when did higher education decide to run on a corporate model? Basically, 4DX is a measure taken by district to ensure faculty and staff are engaging students. All employees are required to set weekly goals, execute the weekly goal and meet weekly to report on achieving the week’s goal. Then chairs have to meet with deans to report on department compliance. Weekly results must be entered online.
Chairs and unit assistants require special training. So, when are they supposed to engage students? The district claims this initiative is in the name of student success. The faculty of this college says otherwise. For one, it’s distracting. Faculty already has enough to do. Now added to that is attending weekly meetings and recording the results on a chart like kindergartners. A 15-minute meeting can easily turn into 30 minutes or 45; someone is late, someone steps out while everyone waits for the late employee. Next, the late employee is in the room but someone else has wandered off. And, as long as we’re all together … This measure is demeaning. District says this initiative is to ensure the faculty is engaging students, as if that wasn’t the core of their jobs. Stop spending money on pop psychology and self-help nonsense. If staff enjoys the diversion and feels it is productive, then let them execute this initiative on their own. 4DX might be useful in a corporate environment, but it’s nothing but a nuisance to faculty.
Restore Koehler’s purpose Students should have first priority to a building originally donated to them. Koehler Cultural Center, a building deeded to this college for student use, is now district office space. Institutional advancement staff will move out of district headquarters at Killen Center and into Koehler. The center also will be used to host district fundraising events. Otto and Marcia Koehler originally deeded the building to the San Antonio Union Junior College District, according to www.alamo. edu/sac/koehler/. The center’s official site stated the Alamo Colleges took over operations and ownership from the San Antonio Art League in 1982. The site also stated the center’s purpose: “Today the mansion is a focal point for the educational and social life of the community, but perhaps more important, the students of San Antonio, St. Philip’s, Palo Alto and Northwest Vista (and Northeast Lakeview) have access to living history.”
The district owns the center, but the center, clearly designated for student use, has been well-used by this college. Organizations such as the Student Government Association have used the first floor for events such as a masquerade ball, the writing center presented awards there, and the president has used the space for an annual holiday reception. Many groups from this college use the space for parties and receptions All but the basement of the building is restricted to students; students can’t even get a glimpse of the origin of their college mascot, the gnome. The second floor will contain office space, but will the officials be OK with the loud noises associated with student events? Will students be given first priority to rent the space over district fundraising events? District’s main office at 201 W. Sheridan already houses most of its employees, so district should leave a gift to the students of this college in the college’s care or learn to share.
Feature
www.theranger.org/news
Sept. 29, 2014 • 7
Historical markers near campus By Riley Stephens
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students may pass by a state and national landmark every day without knowing. Two are within the boundaries of this college: Koehler Cultural Center at 310 W. Ashby Place and the L. B. Clegg House at 123 W. Park Ave. Koehler received its landmark status in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and the L.B. Clegg House in 1929. The register is a division of the National Park Service, which records historical sites. Bob Brinkman, coordinator of historical markers at the Texas Historical Commission, said to earn landmark status, the property owner must be notified, and it’s usually the property owner or the county historical commission who files an application for the recognition. “The application has to go through the county historical commission,” he said. “Before a landmark can be considered, the building must be at least 50 years old and must have historic or architectural significance for that period, and it has to show architectural significance today,” he said. Koehler was willed to the college in 1961 and renamed Koehler Cultural Center. It was built by Otto Koehler, a former president of Pearl Brewing Co. The college assumed ownership in 1973 after his widow, Marcia Koehler, moved out. The home is a showpiece in the Monte Visa Historical Association, which stretches from Ashby at the northern boundary of the campus to Hildebrand and from Kings Court at the north end to McCullough Avenue. On the north end of campus is the Koehler, a three-story Victorianstyle mansion of 12,655-square feet. A black iron fence surrounds the grounds, which cover a city block between Lewis Street and Belknap Place and West Ashby and West Courtland places. The deed to Koehler belongs to Alamo Colleges, but the mansion is considered part of this college, which manages it. Dr. Robert Zeigler, former president of this college, said the deed to the house and property may
The front entrance of L.B. Clegg House at 123 W. Park, a Texas landmark dedicated in 1975. Riley Stephens The property plans for Koehler Cultural Center and the L.B. Clegg House 195269 from the Texana catalog in the San Antonio Public Library. read it is for the use of S. A. Union Junior College District because that is what the district was named in 1961. It wasn’t until 1982, the district governing this college and St. Philip’s College was renamed Alamo Community College District. “Any property deed would have been reverted to the name of the district and then given to the campus closest to the property,” he said. “We manage it, but it still belongs to the district.” The property includes a greenhouse and a carriage house where the college offers ceramics classes. The house is open to students by appointment for tours and often is used for social gatherings for college faculty, staff and students. Koehler can be rented for parties and weddings.
Across campus near the southeast corner but within the college’s footprint is the L. B. Clegg House, built in 1902 by architect Harvey Page for Luther Bynum Clegg, who opened the first San Antonio Printing Co. in 1896. It later was named for L.B. Clegg. It resides in the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association. Since 1951, as this college has grown and added buildings, the Clegg House first lost its neighbors and eventually stood alone, surrounded on four sides by college parking lots. More recent growth has been vertical. The house sits between the college’s five-story parking garage and the four-story Tobin lofts, Phase 2. To the east is the district police department, and to the west the four-story nursing complex.
Writing center improves writing
Students can receive assistance with résumés. By David M. Jimenez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Whether it’s writing for an essay or for personal interests, the writing center helps students generate ideas and overcome problems such as writer’s block. Charles Crowley, student support administrator at the writing center and information technology professional, said he wants to help students become better writers. “It’s essential for students to develop writing skills,” Crowley said. “It’s a lifelong skill. It is important to them as citizens, consumers and as workers in their daily lives.” The writing center’s tutors have received certification through the College Reading and Learning Association. The CRLA is a group of student writing and reading professionals who implement advanced strategies to improve learning. The tutors help students make their writing flow properly. They also help with
school presentations, check class papers and proofreading. They aid in creating résumés and assist with scholarship essays. “Here we don’t assist too much on punctuation and grammar but rather, the larger focus is on writing,” Crowley said. The writing center is not only for English majors or students learning English as a second language, it’s a place for all students to advance their writing skills. It is equipped with the latest software to meet the students’ writing needs. The center is in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall. The fall hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday. For more information or to schedule a tutoring appointment, call 210-486-1433.
Ill An ustr sle at y L ion ew by is
STUDY
Overgrown palms block use of the sidewalk. Riley Stephens
LIVING
David Mrizek, Vice President of college services, said the area of Tobin Hill goes north on San Pedro to Myrtle and from Myrtle across to U.S. Highway 281, then 281 south to I-35 and I-35 to San Pedro. According to Bexar County Appraisal District, the Clegg House is 6,478 square feet, and the property is just over a half acre. Information filed in the national registry describes the house as Spanish-American style exterior walls of stucco and a servants’ quarters on the northwest side. That portion of the property had a green felt roof while the main twostory building features asbestos shingles. Today, it features a standingseam metal roof. Mrizek describes the Clegg House as somewhat in disrepair with lots of cracks and in definite need of preventative and regular maintenance. He said there are lots of palm trees and overgrown plants in the front that
block use of the sidewalk. Current resident Richard Bustamante says the house looks better on the inside than the outside and it has been hard to maintain the upkeep of the house over the years. A 1980 Ranger article titled “Haven resists asphalt squeeze” reported Dr. Jerome Weynand, then president of the district, said if the district acquired the house, he would love to see it preserved. “We have been reluctant to talk to anybody about the house because the college has tried to purchase the property in the past,” Belinda Bustamante Hennings, the current owner, said. A quarter century later, the Clegg House is more squeezed by the college than ever, though the occupants should not worry about the district trying to acquire the property. Zeigler said this college already has one landmark to take care of and isn’t looking for another.
Protect your money before it’s gone
Help prevent identity theft using these simple tips.
Don’t post “hey I’m going on vacation!” York warned. That could make it easy for someone to come to your house, rob you and By Anthony Botello steal vital information and your identity. sac-ranger@alamo.edu Don’t give out your Social Security number Cpl. Shyla York of campus police used her unless it’s absolutely necessary. Notify your card to buy lunch in the cafeteria last year bank immediately if there are any when all of the campus’ systems weird transactions you don’t recwere hacked. Suddenly she disognize, York advised. covered online purchases she “It’s all about being careful, never made and her money but you can’t 100 percent stop it was gone. from happening,” York said. What can be done to prevent She suggests checking acthis? counts often and putting them Never give anyone your PIN on hold immediately if you and don’t shop online unless it’s a notice anything out of the trusted website, York said. Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa ordinary. Never carry your Social Visit www.alamo.edu/main. Security card, she said. aspx?id=7254 for information on security, If someone steals your wallet, they will including securing Internet connection, firehave all your information and will be able to walls, phishing and email hoaxes, filesharing easily steal your identity. and copywriting, password protection, physiThink about what you post on social cal device security, virus protection and wiremedia, especially sensitive information, such less security. Email abuse@alamo.edu or call as addresses and phone numbers. 210-485-0555.
8 • Sept. 29, 2014
Premiere
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Scobee Education Center opening scheduled Planetarium preview is in mid-October; entire center reopens on Halloween.
Learning Center. According to the Scobee Education Center website, the Scobee Planetarium has served By Katherine Garcia thousands of residents during the kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu past 50 years. After two years of construction The previous opening of Oct. 3 was and delays, the Scobee Education pushed back because the Challenger Center is expected to open on Mission Control and Space Station Halloween. modules were not ready from the The center’s opening has been manufacturer in Washington, D.C., repeatedly pushed back because said Bob Kelley, coordinator of the construction debris prevented new Scobee Planetarium. technology and computers from “It’s the first of its kind,” he said. being moved, said Rick Varner, direcKelley said the telescope is also tor of the Scobee Education Center. being repaired, so it might not be The center was named for Lt. accessible by the time the planetariColonel Francis Richard “Dick” um will be open for the Oct. 17 preScobee, an alumnus of this colview during SACtacular. lege who died piloting the shuttle Varner said technology such Challenger in 1986. as iPads, computers, and theatriThe shuttle cal lighting will be broke up 73 secmoved and installed You can basically onds after its starting Oct. 6. launch because Ceiling fixtures, look at the sky of an O-ring such as lights, right now and turn seal failure and and air conditionoff the sun. crashed over Cape ing parts also had Rick Varner Canaveral, Fl. to be moved and director of Scobee The San replaced, he said. Education Center Antonio College Most of the Planetarium was planetarium and rededicated The Scobee Planetarium the teaching staff are ready, Varner in 1994. said. Recently, the planetarium “Everybody is involved in fineand Challenger Learning Center tuning the parts they’re supposed to.” received a name change: the Scobee Other installations include solar Education Center houses the Scobee panels for the roof of the Scobee Planetarium and the Challenger and the bus shelters outside the
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The grand opening of Scobee Education Center is Oct. 31. VIP guests will be allowed entrance 9 a.m.-noon and the general public noon-6 p.m. On Nov. 1, Scobee will be open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and a stargazing party is planned. R.T. Gonzalez center near Lot 21. Sunscreens will also be installed to cover the outside windows facing Candler Physical Education Center. “Sunscreens help keep the building cool without obstructing views,” Varner said. For those who can’t wait for the official opening, a preview of Scobee Planetarium will be during the SACtacular Block Party 5-10 p.m. Oct. 17 in the mall. The event is free and open to the public. The planetarium will be accessible through the north entrance by
the chemistry and geology building, and areas past the lobby will be restricted. The entirety of Scobee Education Center will be open noon-6 p.m. Oct. 31. A 7 p.m. star party is on the roof and terrace on the west side of the center. Starting Nov. 1, guests can view stars on the ceiling of the planetarium’s dome. “You can basically look at the sky right now and turn off the sun,” Varner said. He said guests could view the
sky and stars above any place in the world in the present and the past, such as their birthday. Starting Oct. 31, admission is free for students and staff of this college with a college ID and $4 for students and staff at other Alamo Colleges as well as students from kindergarten through 12th grade. There is a $5 charge for everyone else. The planetarium’s regular hours will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m Monday-Friday. For more information on the planetarium, go to www.alamo.edu/ main.aspx?id=4384.