The Ranger Summer 2011

Vol. 85 Issue 22

Single copies free

Summer 2011

The Ranger A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

“A brave heart and a courteous tongue.

They shall carry thee far through the

JUNGLE, manling.”

RUDYARD KIPLING

REGISTER ONLINE 5 PARKING PUZZLE 26 WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? 30

The Ranger

2 • Summer 2011

The Ranger here to serve, educate Who are Ranger reporters?

They are students who are writing stories for grades in journalism classes. Like all students, they vary widely in the skills they bring to the program, confidence level, people skills, knowledge of journalism and so on. But they all learn by doing.

Why should I return phone calls to a reporter?

Your event, project or news will not appear in The Ranger or The Ranger Online if the reporter cannot get complete and accurate information about it before the reporter’s deadline. Reporters gather most of their information by interviewing people and must verify press releases and other printed materials. We do not allow students to assume.

Can we request a certain reporter or photographer?

Can I read the story before it is published?

No. Editors and advisers make assignments based on students’ assigned coverage areas.

No. No newspaper worth its ink allows sources to preview stories before publication. You may, however, request that reporters verify facts or quotes with you.

Yes. An editor and advisers work with each student on each story until the story is ready for publication. Stories are proofed by editors and advisers during production.

interpretation.

As quickly as possible.

Information that comes in after a deadline can’t be used, at least not until the next story.

Editors post stories chosen for their news value to The Ranger Online almost every weekday.

Then a selection of mostly new, but also updated versions of stories that have already been online, are chosen for the print version published Mondays.

Why should I talk with a reporter if I was misquoted in 2005?

Reporters are responsible only for their work. Please treat each as a clean slate.

Why can’t we talk by email?

Unless you are deployed to Afghanistan, a reporter will ask to interview you in person. When time or other circumstances prevent a face-to-face interview, a telephone call will suffice. We prohibit reporters from conducting email interviews because they are learning to interview with each

Let us know well in advance.

News values and students’ schedules determine what gets covered.

Taking notes Ingrid Wilgen

Where will stories appear?

They are working independently on different stories or trying to verify information in another story.

Please return all calls.

How do I get a photographer to my event?

Will anybody read the story before it is published?

When should I call?

Why do I get calls from three (or more) reporters?

Call The Ranger at 210-486-1776 or visit us at www.theranger.org.

story and need the experience.

Also, when a reporter cannot ask immediate follow-up questions for clarification, it is too easy for miscommunication to occur.

What if something is incorrect?

Call the reporter or the editor and be specific about the mistake.

Students also learn by dealing with the consequences of inadequate or sloppy reporting and having to write a correction.

Will The Ranger run a correction?

Yes and no. Definitely, if the mistake is a serious error, if someone is identified incorrectly, if the mistake was damaging or if the public is served by a correction.

We will post the correction as soon as we know about it online. No, if the error is inconsequential by the time the next issue comes out or if the perceived error is a matter of

How can I communicate my pleasure or displeasure?

Write a letter to the editor.

The best are short, specific and to the point. They state clearly what prompted you to write. Letters must by signed by one person.

Do all letters appear?

No. Editors choose letters based on interest and available space.

Why does a story not appear?

It’s not complete, student never completes it, gets too old before completion, student never returns to class, story gets bumped for those of higher news value, space is tight. Almost all stories can be found in The Ranger Online.

What are news values?

Journalists use news values to determine what to report on and to set priorities in presenting the news. News values include conflict, impact, prominence, proximity, timeliness, human interest and novelty.

Why does a photo not appear?

Photos are not of publishable quality, photographer is unable to get complete cutline information, news value, space is tight.

Who writes editorials?

Editorials are written by students but are unsigned because they represent the collective staff view. Editorial cartoons also represent the collective staff views.

Who writes viewpoints?

Anyone with something to say and the ability to write it in an interesting manner is welcome to submit a viewpoint for consideration. We’re looking for expertise or strong views on specific issues.

We will take a photo of you for publication.

What if I know students who can write, take photographs or create graphics?

Send them to the journalism program immediately.

Why can’t The Ranger publish more “good” news?

A great deal of information in The Ranger fits that category— features on interesting programs, grants awarded, student success stories and so on. We try to give students information they need to know, deadlines or financial aid, club events, etc. But our job is to report facts, not to present the college in a positive light.

We hope this helps you get your stories and events published in The Ranger and/or The Ranger Online.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 3

Assessment scores determine class placement

By Zahra Farah Before new students can register for fall classes, they must take the Texas Higher Education Assessment.

The THEA is an assessment developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and evaluates if students are college-ready.

Because of a $1.55 million developmental education grant for fiscal year 2010-11 and 2011-12, Alamo Colleges is a pilot program for this test.

Dr. Lisa Alcorta, director of academic student success, said this college, El Paso Community, Lone Star, Tarrant County and San Jacinto colleges also got the grant.

The THEA is a four-hour timed placement test that costs $29.

If students want to pay by check or credit card, they need to go to the Alamo Colleges Virtual Business Office and pay online through their ACES account.

To pay in cash, students must go to the business office in Room 201 in Fletcher Administration Center.

Request a receipt to show proof of payment.

Scores on the assessment determine which

level of English, reading and math students are eligible to take.

It’s a computer-based test that students can take at the assessment center in Room 112 of Fletcher Administration Center.

Students must make a reservation to take the test at the assessment center.

Students can call 210-486-0448 to schedule a time to take the test.

Unlike the Accuplacer, students can skip to different sections of the test. The Accuplacer would not allow students to move around unless they completed each section at a time.

Assessment Center Director Adolph Lopez said the THEA is a standardized test.

For example, with the Accuplacer if a student missed fraction questions the test would either stop giving the student those questions because they need help in this area.

Students who don’t pass the English, math or reading part can retake the part they failed, but will have to pay the entire $29.

Students can do retakes six weeks after their last test date.

Students can avoid taking the THEA if they scored on their SAT critical reading and math over a 500 and their combined score must be

over 1070.

For the ACT, students must score over 19 in math and reading, and their composite score must be over 23.

Also, students can apply for the Math Pass program where they can test out of one or two levels of developmental math.

Students can register for this in Room 202 in Fletcher.

Student development Chair Melissa Sutherland said the biggest problems with students are they don’t study. She said in her development classes she asks how many students study for the THEA, and one or two students raise their hands.

She said students should take assessment tests as seriously as the SAT and ACT because this test will change their lives.

She said what they’re now trying to do is not let students take the test the same time they register for it so they can have time to study.

Students can go to www.alamo.edu/sac/ assesst/Thea_IBT.htm to do free practice tests or www.thea.nesinc.com.

For more information on the THEA visit, www.alamo.edu/district/announcements/042111.htm.

Enroll at more than one Alamo College Cross enrollment allows students to attend multiple colleges without paying double fees.

By Zahra Farah Students can enroll at more than one of the Alamo Colleges and pay a single tuition.

Students at the five colleges can apply to San Antonio, St. Philip’s, Palo Alto, Northwest Vista, and Northeast Lakeview colleges.

This is called concurrent or cross enrollment.

First, students need to apply to the college they primarily want to attend. This will be considered their “home” college.

Students need to submit transcripts and test scores to the home college.

After the college processes transcripts and test scores, students can start registering for classes by going to https://aces.alamo.edu/cp/home/ displaylogin, and logging into ACES with an Alamo Colleges ID and password.

The system will allow a choice of classes at all of the colleges.

Search by college or enter a course number to see which college offers

a course.

The Alamo Community College District uses the Texas Common Course Numbering System, so course numbers are the same at each college.

The courses in the catalogs of all five colleges are aligned, meaning the prerequisites and co-requisites are the same for courses offered at multiple colleges.

Basic courses are offered at all of the colleges, but some programs are unique to a particular college. For example, this college is the only one in the district to offer music business or radio-televisionfilm courses leading to an associate of applied science degrees.

Students still are limited to enrolling in a maximum of 18 hours per semester and 14 in the summer without approval from a dean.

A student ID from the home college will allow students to take advantage of services at all colleges, such as checking out library books.

Students from other colleges who want to access databases from this college must come to the campus.

For more information about concurrent enrollment, go to your primary college’s online academic catalog and click on Registration and Concurrent Enrollment at the Alamo Colleges.

The Ranger

4 • Summer 2011

Payment plans: the alternative to paying in full Check balance when dropping or adding classes.

By J. Hernandez Some students may have to pay for the fall semester out of pocket even though they barely have enough money to pay for gas to get back home.

What can be done?

With Internet access to the college’s virtual business office, there is a way to ease the burden of coming up with all that money by following a payment plan.

Students can create a payment plan.

• Log in to ACES and click on the Student tab.

• Then click on Web services and click on Student and Financial aid.

• Then click on Student account, then Make a Payment.

• Finally, click on the Virtual Business Office to make a payment.

• Click on payment plans to sign up for a new payment plan for fall 2011.

To make a payment online, students should have a credit or debit card ready.

For fall or spring installment plans, the first payment will be 34 percent of tuition plus an $25 administrative fee.

The remaining balance is divided into two

payments of 33 percent each due by the designated dates.

The first payment is due when signing up for a payment plan.

The two additional payments can be set to automatically come from the same card used to make the first payment, or students can make a separate payment when the deadline comes up.

If these second or third payments are not paid by their designated dates, a $10 late fee will be levied for each late payment.

If students decide to add or drop a class after making the first installment payment, they

should go online to the payment plan to pay any additional charges.

If that day is the same day a paym e n t is due, contact the business office so they can recalculate the bill so that any additional charges can be paid.

Failure to pay the balance and late fees will result in the inability to register for future classes, being dropped from current classes and being denied enrollment in future payment plans.

The college also will hold a student’s grades, transcripts or diploma from being released until the balance plus all applicable fees is paid in full.

For more information, contact the business office at 210-486-0201 or visit Room 201 in Fletcher Administration Center.

Summer 2011 • 5

The Ranger

First steps to college education Review and prepare for registration to keep process smoothly on track.

By Zahra Farah Getting ready for college is a stressful experience, but registering for one of the Alamo Colleges doesn’t have to be stressful if students follow specific steps.

New and transfer students must first complete an Apply Texas application before they can register for classes. Apply Texas applications are at www.applytexas.org.

Students must create a new account. After students finish creating an account, they click on a two-year institution admission and apply for any Alamo College they want to attend.

The five colleges are San Antonio, St. Philip’s, Palo Alto, Northwest Vista, and Northeast Lakeview colleges.

Students do not have to pay an application fee. After students have completed and submitted their applications, they will receive a confirmation email from Apply Texas notifying them their application is being processed. It takes four days or less to process an application.

Warning: Do not submit more than one application to a college because this will slow down the time it takes for an application to be processed.

After an application has been processed, students can log into the San Antonio College Web page and click on ACES to create an account.

Next, a student clicks on “how do I get a user name password” to get a Banner ID. A Banner ID is needed to register for classes and do any transaction at one of the Alamo Colleges.

Warning: A student should only have one Banner ID. More than one Banner ID will hold up the registration process. If students have problems or cannot log on ACES, they need to visit the admissions and records office in Room 216 of Fletcher Administration Center or call 210-486-0200.

Next, new students must submit an official transcript from their previous institution to the admissions and records office.

The students can ask the institution they are coming from to send the college a transcript to the college or a student can bring an official sealed transcript to the admissions and records office.

Students can call 210-486-0700 to verify if

Students line up at the admissions and records office in Fletcher April 27 to register for the summer, including Maymester, Summer 1 and Summer 2. Maymester classes start on May 16 while classes for Summer 1 start on June 6 and Summer 2 on July 11. To get started, visit www.alamo.edu/sac/sacmain/HTML/reg_steps.htm. Carla Aranguren their transcript has been processed. It takes about 24 hours for a transcript to be processed.

Students who have fewer than 15 hours must go take an assessment test and go through group advising.

Students registering for classes in the fall will have to take the Texas Higher Education Assessment test because this determines the level of English, reading and math students should take.

To take the THEA, students must pay $29 and make reservations in the assessment center in Room 112 of Fletcher Administration Center.

Students can call 210-486-0449 to schedule a time to take the test.

Next, students must schedule a time for group advising with a counselor on the first floor of Moody Learning Center or call 210-4860144.

Students with 15 hours or less must enroll in SDEV 0170, Orientation to College, although some courses taken at a previous institution could qualify for an exemption.

During group advising, students will also find out whether they need to take developmental course or if they are ready for collegelevel courses based on scores from their placement test.

Students then register for classes by logging in to ACES with their Alamo Colleges ID and password.

Then select: • Student • Web services • Student, then financial aid • Registration • Add or drop classes • Term and submit • Class search then subject to pick classes • Next register to be in the class Warning: If students decide to drop a class and add a new one, they must first add the new class, then drop the original class in the same session.

If not done in this order, students could be charged for the class they dropped or their financial aid status could be changed from a full-time to a part-time student.

Students must also be aware of pay deadlines. Students who do not pay by the deadlines are dropped from the system.

Students who have applied for financial aid should visit the financial aid office in Room 101 of Fletcher. For more details on financial visit, www.alamo.edu/sac/sacmain/FINAID/ studfina.HTM. Students must make sure they keep records of all their actions, follow up with financial aid and make sure they are registered in the right classes.

Warning: Keep checking ACES even after registering for emails and verification that your registration status has not changed.

The Ranger

6 • Summer 2011

How to brace for ACES

By Zahra Farah Don’t confuse ACES with a deck of playing cards. It’s the only source where students at the one of the Alamo Colleges can register for classes, view class schedule and look up financial aid. Like a deck of cards, without ACES a students’ experience at this college would be incomplete.

After students get their ApplyTexas application and transcript processed, they have to make an ACES account to register for classes and get a Banner ID. To make an account go to https://aces. alamo.edu/cp/home/displaylogin.

Usha Venkat, director of information and communication technologies, said ACES is where students access their online classes to get to Blackboard.

Students can also view their college email.

“It’s a single unified portal,” Venkat said.

The Alamo Colleges Education Services, or ACES, front page is where students access their campus, district and emergency announcements.

If students click on Student, then Web Services, they can access their personal information and financial aid.

Student and financial aid material links a student to where they can register and access

Don’t fail to check ACES email often

student records and accounts.

Also, students can make account payBy Zahra Farah ments, view the course catalog and request their academic transcript and holds.

At each of the Alamo Colleges, new students This helps students manage their will be assigned an ACES email address. The five accounts and keep a tab on their daily transcolleges are San Antonio, St. Philip’s, Palo Alto, actions.

Northwest Vista and Northeast Lakeview colleges.

Venkat said if students need help using ACES email is the primary source of communiACES, Blackboard or even navigating the cation instructors and college officials use to notify Internet, they can go to the student technolstudents, public information officer Julie Cooper ogy center in Room 706 of Moody Learning said.

Center.

Students can log in to ACES email account The center is open by logging into https://aces.

For ACES training, visit Room 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mondayalamo.edu/cp/home/display706 of Moody Learning Center.

Thursday. login.

The hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

If students experience Cooper said ACES email is a Monday-Thursday. technical issues with way for students to get message ACES, they can call this alerts about registration and college’s technology services at 210-486-0777 financial aid deadlines and student notices from or visit www.alamo.edu/sac/ots. the college or district.

Students at St. Philip’s can call 210-486Also, they can sometimes get scholarship infor2616. Palo Alto is 210-486-3777. Northwest mation through email.

Vista is 210-486-4777. Northeast Lakeview is Emergency notifications also are sent to stu210-486-5777. dents’ cell phones in a text message.

Students can also call district’s support Cooper said students should check their ACES central at 210-485-0555 and select Option 4 email frequently. if their college is closed.

Students cannot access ACES email through Support central is open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. smart phones because it is not formatted for cell Monday-Friday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. phones. The ACES server is unavailable from 1 The office is closed on Saturday. a.m.-2 a.m. daily.

ID cards required to access vital services ID contains name, photo and Banner ID number.

By Joshua Fechter To take advantage of college services, students must obtain a student ID from the ID center in Room 200A of Fletcher Administration Center.

Assessment center Director Adolph Lopez said students need a student ID to access labs across campus as well as to use the library and other facilities.

Lopez oversees the ID center.

Students need an ID to use enrollment services, financial aid, disability services, counseling, tutoring and student services programs.

They also need an ID to use the library and check out books.

A student’s first ID is free; replacements

are $10.

To obtain an ID, take a printed paid college tuition bill and a form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Students may print a tuition statement at the center.

The ID contains the student’s name, Banner identification number and photo.

Lopez said nursing students will need a special ID to gain access to special areas in hospitals where they may be training.

To obtain a nursing student ID card, students must be currently enrolled in nursing classes, inform the ID center technician that they are a nursing student and follow the normal process to get an ID. The ID center’s website says students enrolled in strictly online courses will not be issued an ID card.

Lopez said if students taking online courses wish to have a student ID, they may visit the ID center and receive one.

For more information, call the center at 210-4860015.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 7

Early FAFSA key to financial aid Having documents ready before filing will ease the application process.

By J. Hernandez A substantial number of students have to go through the financial aid office to pay for college.

That can often mean standing in line for hours just to be told they still need to fill this out or fill that out before financial aid can be processed.

The guaranteed processing date for the fall semester was June 1.

Any students who filed applications after the guaranteed date will have to pay out-of-pocket by the tuition due dates.

Students who want to cut the waiting time and frustration each year can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, online. Federal and state grants, student loan programs and the federal work-study program require filing the FAFSA. The application is available online only.

Those with special needs or circumstances can request forms be mailed.

Before sitting down to file the FAFSA, students need a Social Security card, drivers license, 2010 W-2 forms and other records of money earned, and 2010 federal income tax return.

Dependent students, those claimed on parents’ 2010 federal income tax return, need their 2010 untaxed income statements, current bank statements, current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records, and alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen).

Students don’t have to mail any of these to the government. Use these documents as reference points.

Once student’s have these documents, answer the questions online and submit it for processing.

The first questions will determine a student’s dependency.

Dependent students will need their parents’ information. Most students are considered dependent until they reach 24, even if they don’t live with their parents.

Independent students will need only their own tax information.

These questions also help calculate an expected family contribution. This contribution measures the family’s financial strength and determines a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid.

This will also be used for any state financial aid a student may qualify for.

It is important to constantly update and check on the FAFSA application.

The financial aid office may randomly select an application for verification where they will check the accuracy of the information in the FAFSA application.

It’s important to bring the student’s and parent’s tax information and/or books for verification.

Without these forms and verification, a student’s application cannot be verified and the student may not receive financial aid.

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and finish 67 percent of course work or they may lose their federal aid. Students should stay up to date with their FAFSA application.

Students can log on to ACES to check their financial aid status.

Financial aid requires degree progress To be eligible for federal student aid, a student must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

Federal regulations mandate that students who do not meet the progress requirement immediately lose financial aid eligibility, including all Federal Title 4 eligibility, including student loans and any state aid eligibility as well.

Students who lose eligibility may appeal but must complete and submit all documentation to the student financial services office during a specified time frame.

For spring 2012, appeals will be accepted Oct. 1-31.

Documentation review can take 10 weeks, so students may have to pay tuition if the appeal is denied or approved after the

payment date.

Progress standards are: • Maintain a minimum 2.0 overall and per semester GPA. • Successfully complete 67 percent of all course work attempted.

• Complete program of study within 99 hours, including hours from other colleges, failed courses and courses dropped with a grade of W.

On Campus For more information, call the student financial services office at 210-486-0600.

Phone Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday a.m.-5 p.m. Friday Office Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday Lab Hours: Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Thursday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Off-campus Help For help filing for financial aid, go to any of the Alamo College’s student financial services offices or to one of three off-campus sites: Eastside Community Center St. Paul United Methodist Church 508 Center Street, Suite 208 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Office: 210-485-0280 Fax: 210-485-0288 Off-site coordinator: Margie Quintanilla Southside Community Center Harlandale Parent Education Center 901 March Avenue 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Office: 210-977-1487 Fax: 210-977-1500 Off-site coordinator: Maria Del Carmen De Luna-Jones Westside Community Center Edgewood Competency-Based High School, 563 S.W. 40th Street at Old Hwy. 90 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday Office: 210-485-0240 Fax: 210-485-0258 Off-site coordinator: Gene Gonzales Evening hours by appointment.

8 • Summer 2011

The Ranger

Start college, start collecting

By Laura Garcia Students begin accumulating official documents and records as soon as they set foot on campus.

As these documents will follow you throughout your educational career and have the power to save you time and tuition, you need to create a filing system immediately.

Hang onto paid bills, syllabuses, transcripts, grades, drop slips, financial aid forms, scholarship letters, federal tax documents and updated résumés.

It doesn’t take much to grab a filing box and stick documents in there whenever they come in, and at the end of each semester, as you empty your notebooks and folders.

Periodically organize the files in inexpensive file folders.

Having these important documents handy means that every time a deadline for an internship or scholarship opportunity approaches, you won’t have to scramble, searching through boxes and stacks to find what you need.

Especially if you are a procrastinator, you need to be prepared at the last minute to whip out the

appropriate collection of documents.

If you can’t find your parents’ tax return or have to request a transcript, you might lose out on that golden opportunity.

Being prepared means you can spend the time you used to spend looking for things on polishing your application to bolster your chances.

Keeping a printout of the college bulletin, or at least the pertinent parts, will save you from heartache when degree requirements change.

Go to www.alamo. edu/sac/sacmain/schedule to download previous copies of the bulletin if you enrolled before fall 2009.

Students can also find copies of older bulletins in the library.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, said students should be able to find a copy of their degree plan on campus and recommends keeping a printout to be sure.

Howard said students have the option of graduating under the catalog year they matriculated under or use the current one from the year of graduation.

She said, for example, because the com-

Check list • Hang onto paid bills, syllabuses, transcripts, grades, drop slips, financial aid forms, scholarship letters, federal tax documents and updated résumés.

• Collect your parents’ tax return.

• Request a transcript early to apply for scholarships and/or a transfer school.

• Keep a printout of the college bulletin to save you from heartache when degree requirements change.

• Keep a printout of your degree plan.

puter competency course is being eliminated from degree plans this year, students might find it more advantageous to graduate under the newer plan.

Copies of paid tuition bills come in handy when car insurance companies are offering discounts for students, you are on your parents’ insurance and when signing a rental agreement.

If you get called to jury duty, a paid bill is your ticket out.

When you transfer, copies of those syllabuses your teacher was always referring you to could save you from spending time and tuition on a class similar to what you have already taken.

With a syllabus, counselors and advisers at the university can determine which classes you should be in and which can be waived.

So don’t put it off. Get a system set up today.

Make sure to keep that receipt Don’t rely on digital records to keep track of college payments.

By Laura Garcia Most people would agree that holding onto receipts for big purchases makes sense.

If that big-screen HD TV doesn’t operate the way it should, the buyer should be able to walk back into the store with proof of purchase.

Just in case something goes wrong with the product, the consumer should be able to return it for a refund.

Well, the education system doesn’t offer refunds, but the habit of saving paid tuition bills makes financial sense.

As much as people rely on computers, the fact is that digital records

can be erased and could pose a liability to students in the long run.

Print out paid tuition bills and place in a file for future reference.

The implementation of Banner in fall 2010 left many students scrambling to prove they paid for a course after several hundred sections were canceled or changed.

In some cases, students were incorrectly paying two or three times more than the normal tuition rate. Kinks in the new system are forcing students to think proactively and hold onto the documents, adopting a “just-in-case” mentality.

Holding onto that bill could mean a substantial discount on auto insurance and proof for the courthouse that a student qualifies for an exemption from jury duty.

According to insurer Allstate’s website, single, full-time students younger than 25 could save up to 20 percent for getting good grades.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 9

Empowerment center offers services for registration

By Alma Linda Manzanares The empowerment center, at Evergreen and Howard streets, helps nontraditional students register for courses.

Nontraditional is the term for students 25 years of age or older entering or returning to school, usually after raising a family, or currently a single parent.

Counselors help first-time-in-college students with general information about choosing a major, enrolling using the applytexas. org application and obtaining financial aid assistance, empowerment center Counselor Carolina Treviño said.

Students are guided to helpful websites that offer practice tests for the Accuplacer, Treviño said.

Students can register for College Lab, a workshop to help with online applications including applytexas.org, ACES and class registration.

Financial aid workshops are offered every month to assist in filling out FASFA applications.

Career Lab is another workshop offered for students looking for employment or wanting to take the KUDER Journey Career Assessment, an assessment designed to find the right career path for a student.

For returning students who have already submitted the applytexas.org application, counselors assist with degree plans and help students enroll in appropriate courses, Treviño said.

Advising is offered at the empowerment center; however, some students may just need to

go to their major’s department to get advising.

“For the professional tech majors, normally the departments want to do their own,” Treviño said.

She said even though the empowerment center helps specifically with nontraditional students, any students who need assistance are welcome.

“These students might have taken two or three buses to get here, and then we’re going to send them away? I don’t think so,” Treviño said.

The empowerment center, open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, houses the women’s center and Seguir Adelante, which assists nontradtional students, and Mi CASA, or Career Advancement and Self-Sufficiency Assistance.

For more information or to register for labs, call 210-486-0455.

Advising for returning students in major department

By Alma Linda Manzanares In January, the college counselors were divided into a counseling department and the student development department.

As a result, returning students should seek advising in their major’s department.

“We are down to seven full-time counselors and those counselors are dedicated to first-time-incollege students,” English Chair Mike Burton said. “All returning students don’t have a counselor.”

The counseling complex is in the basement level of Moody Learning Center, which houses Veterans Affairs and the transfer center.

Office locations for the majors can be found on the college’s website at www.alamo.edu/sac.

Click on Degrees in the left-hand menu to find a listing of degree plans by major.

Click on Counseling to find a variety of services the department offers, including career guidance and suicide prevention training.

Students who are undecided should be able to go to any department to seek advising, he said. (Students might try the student development office where many of the counselors moved.)

Each department schedules a designated person available at peak times to assist students with advising.

Faculty members will be required to understand degree requirements to be able to assist students with a degree plan that will help them move through a course of study efficiently, Burton said.

A degree plan charts the courses a student will enroll in to complete an associate degree that meet the requirements of the core curriculum and the major.

Students don’t want to take courses, and later find out, they were unnecessary to their degree plan, Burton said.

For information for first-time-incollege students, call 210-486-0333.

10 • Summer 2011

The Ranger

Beware review sites Websites seldom offer criteria for rating professors.

By Laura Garcia Not sure which professor to take for math class?

Students across the country will undoubtedly check out a professor’s reviews online before they enroll in classes.

But just how accurate are these reviews?

Students can go to websites such as www.ratemyprofessors.com, choose their university and search for professors by last name or department.

Online users can leave comments and rate the professor on overall quality, helpfulness, clarity, easiness and even how attractive they are.

Anyone with Internet access can leave reviews, and some may argue that only the disgruntled students take the time to complain while those who succeed in the course may not review the professor.

Also, students could leave multiple reviews for one instructor thus bringing down their overall score.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, said she doesn’t see checking review sites as a problem as long as students understand that the information may not be correct.

“I don’t think that it’s unhelpful,” Howard said. “It’s just kind of understanding your source.”

She added that students shouldn’t give any one comment so much credence.

Another challenge of looking for advice online is that many courses are taught by adjuncts who may not be listed in the database because they teach at multiple institutions and may not be readily available to be identified or verified.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 11

Counter-clockwise from inset at left: Russell Crowe as John Nash in “A Beautiful Mind,” Christopher Lloyd as Emmett Brown in “Back to the Future,” John Oliver as Ian Duncan in TV’s “Community,” Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” trilogy, Kevin Spacey as Mickey Rosa in “21,” Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the “Indiana Jones” quadrilogy, Eddie Murphy as Sherman Klump in “The Nutty Professor” movies, Bill Murray as Peter Venkman in the “Ghostbusters” movies.

Courtesy

Criticism of the website being the basis for choosing an instructor includes the fact that not everyone will agree on who is a good teacher when learning styles differ dramatically. Some people respond better to lectures while others retain information better when exposed to visual material.

Relying on subjective reviews may not benefit students if they aren’t sure which learning styles they prefer.

Howard said that while a professor may lose points for not being easy, some students would benefit from taking a more rigorous course, and it may just be the most interesting course they take.

Another tip might be to talk to students who may have taken the

course and ask specific questions, such as how many grades the professor offers in that course, which may gauge how tests are averaged, or does the instructor teach from slides or online material that can be accessed from home.

A former student can share how often the professor was available during office hours and through email.

This may be a hot commodity as the district obtains its goal of 50 percent full-time faculty and 50 percent adjuncts. Adjuncts are not required to keep the same number of office hours as full-time faculty, and many share office space if they have any at all.

Students also could visit departments and ask for recommendations and access syllabuses on the college website.

The12 Ranger • Summer 2011

News

Feb.14, 2011 • 11 The Ranger

ANNOUNCING! Fully Accredited 3 hour College Courses $75.00 per hour

Tutor Carlos Lopez helps liberal arts freshman Armando Martinez with grammar on a history paper in the writing center in Gonzales.

File photo

Enroll Now for Fall 2011 Writing lab encourages success

Intro to the Bible Tue. & Thurs. 1-2:30 p.m.

• Provides a basic understanding of the structure, purpose, message and characters of the Bible.

• Instructor: Eric Davenport, B.B.A., M.Div.

World Religions Monday 6-9:00 p.m.

• Provides insight into the beliefs and practices, as well as the historical and sociological impact of several of the world’s major religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto • Instructor: Dick Ihfe, B.S., J.D., M.Div.

Location: 301 West Dewey, San Antonio, Tx Prerequisite: None Phone: 210-736-6750 or 210-843-6880 Email: studentcenter7274@att.net

Either class may be audited at no cost! * Accredited by Oklahoma Christian University

Students who can’t make it in person can receive tutoring online.

By Jacob Beltran As an incentive for students to sign up for tutoring, the center awards prizes every three sessions through a program called the Frequent Writers Club.

Students are given a card, which is checked off each session.

After the first three sessions, students receive a flash drive; after six sessions, a cup with the writing center logo; and after nine sessions, a T-shirt.

After every three sessions, even after a frequent writer card is filled, students’ names are entered into a drawing for a free mp3 player.

The writing center in Room 203 of Gonzales Hall offers help in writing essays, a room for study groups working on a group project and computers for students use.

Writing center Director Francis Crawford said that students end up with better grades the more they receive tutoring at the writing center.

“Students who repeatedly come for tutoring three times a semester receive a 10 percent increase in their final grade,” Crawford said.

Printing is done through a GoPrint machine that costs $1 for a card.

Printing costs 10 cents per page and $1 for color copies.

To use any service, students must sign in with a Social Security or Banner ID number.

Students also can log on to “Second Life,” a game that allows anyone to create an online representation of oneself called an avatar, and receive tutoring in a virtual college writing center.

The center also hosts workshops on résumé writing and putting together MLA format essays.

The writing center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

For more information or to schedule a tutoring session, call 210-4861433.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 13

Fire science students spray a liquid petroleum gas tank in a mock scenario at the Fire Science Academy. File photo

Find electives that enrich degree Just-for-fun electives may not fulfill your degree plan.

By Melody Mendoza Electives used to be a chance to take fire and arson investigation or jewelry design as part of a political science degree plan just because you had an interest.

Now the state wants students to stick to the basics of a 120-hour degree, and the college wants students to choose a degree plan for the first two years.

Choose classes wisely because every class is money possibly wasted because it doesn’t fulfill a requirement toward a degree.

Academic adviser Ron Perez said in some cases, electives are not always allowed on degree plans; therefore, a student may not have the option to take just any elective class.

Perez said it really depends on the degree plan.

He said business, education and math are examples of degree plans that don’t require many electives, while a liberal arts degree has

many options for electives.

But he said if a student needs to be full time, but no recommended elective classes are available, he may advise the student to take a class outside the degree plan.

In a case where a student may need an extra class, they may be advised to take a core class.

Dr. Ellen Marshall, early childhood studies chair, said if the student wants to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree or go on to a university, she may advise them to take history or government that will transfer.

“It really depends on a student’s goals,” she said.

Marshall said she advises students in the teacher assistant program to register for a sociology course such as SOCI 2301, Marriage and the Family, because it would give an assistant more knowledge about a family’s impact on young children.

She said most teacher assistants work with students with disabilities, bilingual students or preschoolers.

She also suggested registering for SGNL 1301, American Sign Language, or BIOL 1322,

Nutrition, as an elective that would support that discipline.

“It will give them a leg up on getting a job,” Marshall said.

Although there are classes that may be beneficial in a particular field of work, they may not give a student credit for a degree.

For an associate degree and the certificates in the early childhood studies department, Marshall said there isn’t much room for electives on the degree plan.

Roger Stanley, chemistry, earth sciences and astronomy chair, said he recommends enrolling in an extra lab, giving a student eight hours of science, even though the core requirements call for only seven hours of science.

Many universities require eight hours, six of lecture and two of lab, in the same science for a bachelor’s degree.

Stanley said he recommends registering for the lab and lecture together because the lab experience reinforces the concepts taught in the lecture course and helps a student understand the material. “It really helps if people get that hands-on work,” he said.

The Ranger

14 • Summer 2011

Professors and students advise each other

By Megan Mares There you are, sitting in class, your jaw pressed against the palms of your hands; eyes glazing over.

“WaaWaaawaaa,” your professor says, sound-

S T U D E N T S

ing like one of the adults in Snoopy.

You check the clock, after what seems like an eternity, only to find you’ve been sitting in class for 15 minutes. So, you know, you open your laptop and surf around on Facebook.

Your phone vibrates and you get a text mes-

“Kinda not go crazy on you — you know put you on the spot.

I just had that happen to me actually so I am kind of moping around.”

Rebecca Villarreal, nursing sophomore “No stuff online; I hate stuff online. Especially math.”

Sara Harris, physical therapy sophomore “Be interactive with your students instead of lecturing us.”

Leslie Kunkel, psychology sophomore “They need to understand that their class isn’t the only one we are taking, and also that they need to be organized. An unorganized professor leads to unorganized lectures.”

Sonnya Maknejia, nursing sophomore “Slow down during lecture, don’t move on until everyone understands.”

Josh Divin, liberal arts freshman “Getting off topic a lot sucks — we don’t always finish the lecture or return to it, so it doesn’t get covered.”

Stephanie Esparza, nursing freshman “Be a little more of a disciplinarian; there have been a lot of disruptive kids, and most professors just put up with it.”

Ana Briones, political science sophomore “It’s better to understand than memorize. Spend more time covering materials and lower the amount of tests and just increase the number of questions.”

Adeeb Mohammed, nursing sophomore “PowerPoints are what help me primarily. I am more of an auditory, visual and kinetic learner, so they help a lot.”

Andrew Johnson, kinesiology sophomore “Make the information relatable through class participation — don’t just lecture.”

Cindy Lomas, nursing sophomore “I am happy with everything, but I would like more things to challenge me.”

Andrew Brigance, international business sophomore

P R O F E S S O R S

sage from your best friend and start to smile — smiling in class — for all the wrong reasons.

The Ranger has compiled comments from professors and students that reflect changes that could be made to make teaching and learning more effective in a classroom setting.

“Ask questions when you have them, some students think we are mind readers.”

Lisa Ratliff-Villarreal, criminal justice instructor/Internet coordinator “Start thinking critically and conceptually — explain and support statements you make.”

Fernando Piñon, political science professor “Focus on your goals; tell yourself, ‘one week at a time.’”

Norma Cruz-Gonzales, English professor “Words of wisdom from Warren Buffet’s wife: Show up, pay attention, tell the truth, and don’t be attached to the outcome.”

Ellen Brennan, biology professor “I think it’s disrespectful toward a professor to text in class. I don’t teach a texting class; I teach math.”

Ronald Coleman, math professor “Develop an interest in a subject and practice it.”

Dr. Carol A. Keller, history professor “Stay focused on what the instructor is trying to teach — ask questions don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s really just common sense.”

Thomas Farías, Spanish professor “The most important thing is coming to class, taking notes and reading the textbook.”

Wesley Booth, economics professor “Start off, at the beginning, running and approach the course the way your teacher tells you that you should. Also, come to class. That’s really important.”

Vic Trevino, biology professor

“One of the most important things I empha“I have no complaints.”

Tareck Agha, business administration freshman

size in my class is attendance.”

Asslan Khaligh, political science Professor

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 15

Dropping courses can hurt academic record, pocketbook

By Megan Mares To avoid having to drop classes, students should make every effort to research classes and teachers. The workload should be clear from the online syllabus.

But sometimes, it just can’t be avoided.

Before making a final decision, though, students need to be aware of a few state requirements.

In 2007, the Texas Legislature passed SB 1231, a Senate bill that applies to students who enrolled beginning in fall 2007 in an institution of higher education in Texas.

The bill states that students can drop a maximum of six courses during their entire undergraduate career.

If a student shows good cause for dropping more than six classes, an exception can be made. The reasons the law defines as good cause are stated under Sec.51.907.

Examples include death in the family, severe illness and the necessity of taking care of a dependent person who is ill.

Students in this district can drop a class prior to the census date, or the 12th day of class, through ACES. Classes dropped prior to the census

date Sept. 7 will not show up on transcripts.

After the census date, students are required to ask the instructor to sign a drop slip and file it with the admissions and records office.

The last date to drop this fall is Nov. 11.

After that date, students still on the roll will be assigned letter grades.

If students decide to drop more than once and take the course again, tuition will increase in price.

As of fall 2005, this district has charged three times the in-district fee for a course a student has taken two or more times The rule, titled three-peat, does not apply to music lessons, special topics or developmental classes.

Students who take a course three times may have a requirement to take it because of their degree plan.

Faculty recommend that students who get behind in classes or consider dropping for other reasons, consult their instructor to see if other options exist, such as extra credit or the availability of tutoring. For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/ sac/admrec/admissions/course_drop. htm.

Degree plan charts path to graduation Liberal arts is the plan for undecided majors.

By Krystal Barcenez Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, stresses the importance of deciding on a degree plan immediately when starting as a student at this college.

“It’s never too early to plan,” she said about having a plan for graduation and, ultimately, life.

With every degree offered at this college, a plan is offered to keep students on track to graduating with an associate degree.

“These degree plans are so important to students because they map out the time a student is going to spend here and what classes they need to take. The earlier a student has a plan of what they want to major in, the easier it is to get a degree,” Howard said.

Degree plans list the number of hours a

student needs and what courses are needed to semester by checking off classes that have been fulfill an associate degree. taken to keep students from taking unnecessary A list of degrees offered at this college can classes, she said. be found online on the college’s website by Another piece of advice from Howard and clicking Degree under the Dr. Robert Zeigler, presiQuick Links section on the dent, is the importance left side. of developing relationAll arts and sciences ships with counselors and degrees and technical department faculty. degrees offered are listed.

“My advice to students If an incoming student is to not be afraid to ask is unsure of what degree for help. It’s OK to tell a plan to follow or hasn’t teacher or counselor what’s declared a major, the recnot making sense in classes ommended degree plan to and why you’re doing what follow is liberal arts. you’re doing while you’re Dr. Robert Zeigler “I want to eliminate the here,” Zeigler said. president phrase ‘I’m just here finAny questions or conishing my basics’ because cerns a student has should that’s just too vague. My goal is to get the be voiced to a faculty adviser or to a counselor, students with undeclared majors to follow the Howard said.

Liberal Arts A. A.,” Howard said.

For more information, visit www.alamo.edu/ Degree plans should be updated each sac/sacmain/sac.htm.

“My advice to students is to not be afraid to ask for help.”

The Ranger

16 • Summer 2011

Multiple access to textbooks Students can choose to buy, rent or borrow texts.

By Joshua Fechter Incoming freshmen might not be sure where to get textbooks.

Luckily, there are multiple resources at their disposal.

The bookstore on campus, owned by Follett Higher Education Group and housed in the basement of Loftin Student Center, offers new and used textbooks for purchase.

Bookstore cashier Leo Quiroz said used textbooks available for purchase range from 15 percent to 45 percent off the original list price.

Quiroz said students who rent will save between 20 percent and 50 percent of the textbook’s original list price.

He said students who wait to sell during the buyback period at the end of the semester typically get more for their textbooks.

Quiroz said students can receive up to 55 percent of what they paid during the buyback.

Students can order books through the bookstore’s website and pick them up at the bookstore.

Students also can walk across the street to L&M Bookstore at 1716 N. Main Ave. The store offers new and used textbooks for purchase and rental.

Students can determine the buyback value of their textbook on the store’s website.

Students also can rent textbooks from chegg.com and find textbooks for purchase on amazon.com and half.com.

If students cannot afford textbooks, they may check the library reserve desk on the fourth floor of Moody Learning Center.

Learning resource specialist Aivars Norenbergs said there are about 1,500 materials at the

reserve desk.

He said these materials include textbooks, library material put on reserve by an instructor or department, and electronic reserves.

Norenbergs said students may have access to the materials for two hours at a time but may not leave the reserve area with the material. Students need a college ID. “If we allowed students to leave the library with textbooks, they would just hold on to them and pay the fine at the end of the semester,” he said. “It would be cheaper than buying a book.”

Norenbergs said not all textbooks are at the reserve desk because instructors and academic departments determine and provide materials that go on reserve.

He said the library does not purchase textbooks because of how frequently new editions are released.

Norenbergs said students also can access e-books in the library’s online database.

Or students can share textbooks with classmates.

Contact Info College bookstore 210-733-5960 www.sac.bkstr.com L&M Bookstore 210-222-1323 www.lm-bookstore.com Reserve desk 210-486-0582 Library www.alamo.edu/sac/library

Students, faculty agree on importance of books

By Joshua Fechter Students and faculty agree: Students must use their textbooks to receive a quality education.

Graphic design sophomore Jeremy Lund said if students do not understand a lecture, they can use the textbook for reference and clarification.

Lund said professors might not cover all material in class that might be on a test so students should make sure they prepare by Mekkonnen Haile reading all of the material.

He said textbooks often contain quizzes students can use to master the material.

Education sophomore Alisia Murphy said textbooks add structure and guidance that help students keep up in a class.

Nursing sophomore Shelby Stuart said courses revolve around the textbook, which will be the main source of learning for students.

Stuart said it is up to students to choose how they will perform in college.

Math Professor Paula McKenna said students need textbooks as a reference in case they misunderstand something in class. McKenna said students also need textbooks to complete homework.

She said she uses examples in her classes different from the examples in the textbooks to provide her students with twice the reference material.

Astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz said it is important for students to get their information from textbooks when looking for reference material because other sources may be inaccurate.

Alaniz said because textbooks are typically peer-reviewed, they are more accurate sources of information.

English Professor Mekonnen Haile said if students do not use the textbook, they lose one of the most important ingredients of a college education.

Haile said textbooks are part of a continual learning process: The professor assigns the reading, the student reads and extracts what they can from it and the professor and student come together the next class to discuss it. He said textbooks play just as important a part in the educational process as students and professors.

“Any of them without the others would be lacking,” Haile said.

40 • April 25, 2011

The Ranger

Join us in the thick of it

The

Ranger

ing e voices serv A forum of fre 926 1 ollege since San Antonio C

ONLINE, ON CAMPUS, ON THE JOB Come in for advising to Room 204 of Loftin.

Start your exciting career today.

Newsroom 210-486-1773 Chair Marianne Odom 210-486-1786 News Adviser Irene Abrego 210-486-1778 Photo Adviser Dr. Edmund Lo 210-486-1769

The Ranger

18 • Summer 2011

Office hours time to seek help

By Ranger staff Any of these sound familiar?

• I don’t understand what he wants us to do.

• I could follow this during class, but now I can’t remember how to do it.

• She said we could pick a topic, but I can’t decide which one would be better.

Students struggling with confusion over assignments need to take advantage of posted office hours to meet with instructors.

Begin by reviewing the material you are having trouble understanding. Then, write out your questions.

Next, check the instructor’s syllabus for the listed office hours.

Set an appointment ahead of time to make sure the instructor will be available.

The office phone number also will be listed in the syllabus.

If you have procrastinated until the last minute or there is a quick turnaround on the assignment you need help with, visit the instructor’s office as soon as possible. Office hours will be on a posted schedule.

If the instructor is in when you arrive, see if there is time for an immediate consultation.

If not, stay calm and be polite in setting up an appointment and explaining what you want to talk about.

Students can discuss difficult course material or get clarification on something you were afraid to bring up during class.

No professor will refuse to give you extra help. They will at least direct you to other sources for assistance.

Don’t forget you can email your questions to the instructor. Again, the email address will be posted on your syllabus.

Be specific in your questions. The less precise you are in asking your questions, the less precise an answer you are likely to receive.

Don’t rely on email or text messages exclusively to communicate with instructors. The vast majority of communication is nonverbal. You don’t get any of that in an email or text message.

Also, take advantage of office hours to make arrangements if you anticipate missing a class.

An instructor might offer a way to make up the missed material.

At the very least, you are showing that your education is your priority and you are taking responsibility for it.

Communicate regularly with instructors. When you are absent without notice, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and making it up.

Don’t show up at the next class session and ask if you missed anything.

Show up with your completed work in hand.

Office hours are especially useful if the student wishes to discuss something privately with the instructor without classmates overhearing.

And remember, you should collect phone numbers or email addresses for several classmates at the beginning of the semester so if your instructor is not available to help, perhaps a classmate can.

Communicating with classmates will help everyone feel more confident and could result in a ready study group for big exams.

In addition, students go to the department of the major for advising, so start meeting the faculty in that department.

You should seek advising for the following: • degree plan.

• transfer plans.

• course schedule.

• internship and enrichment opportunities.

• professional organizations in your field.

You also should seek occasional feedback or critiques from faculty in your major department.

These individuals are your first contacts in what will eventually become a large network in your professional career.

They have been where you are and can make suggestions in areas you might not even have considered.

Once in a while, you can drop by without an agenda, just to say hello.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 19

Medical assistant sophomore Amber Baltazar studies comprehensive health insurance in a secluded study area April 29 on the first floor of

the nursing complex. Baltazar said she externed at Texas MedClinic last summer. Ingrid Wilgen

Success attainable with reliable work habits Study skills help students get the most out of college.

By J. Almendarez On the surface, this campus may appear a lot like a high school.

In August, students strut around in brand new clothes; shoelaces are still pristine and white; and every person in every class has a working pen and blank paper.

However, approaching classes with the same mentality and study skills used in high school is a strategy destined to result in failure.

Professor Irene Alvarado offers students study skills she typically discusses in her SDEV 0370, Personal and Academic Success, course.

“Students need to understand the concept of preparation before, during and after their classes,” she said.

“For every hour spent in class, a student should spend two hours studying and preparing,” she said.

Reading assignments and taking notes before class prepare students for the lesson; taking notes, asking questions and actively listening during class are the steps needed to retain information in a course; and attending tutoring sessions, reviewing notes and using resources on campus to reinforce important information are essential to long-term comprehension.

“I know there have been budget cuts, and I

know that has affected things, but everything you need to be successful is available to you on campus,” she said.

She also pinpointed a major setback for students: procrastination.

“I have the antidote for procrastination,” she said.

Whenever students find themselves making excuses, she said they need to stop themselves and commit to doing the task for five minutes.

She said it will provide a “quick start” for people to at least get started on a project.

She noted that many of her students who have tried the technique have told her they typically end up finishing most of the task they were avoiding.

Getting started was the hardest part, they tell her.

She recommends students who persistently have difficulty in classes, despite preparation and studying, talk to their instructors about what they need to do to be successful.

She said an instructor should be able to direct students to labs, tutoring and library resources.

If instructors are unable to provide adequate assistance, she recommends students talk with a counselor who can help them determine successful college habits.

A large part of college success, she said, lies in students’ ability to say “no” to family and peers when they have school obligations.

“Students need to understand the concept of preparation before, during and after their classes. For every hour spent in class, a student should spend two hours studying and preparing.”

Irene Alvarado student development professor

“You have to commit yourself to your academics,” she said.

The counseling office can be reached at 210-486-0333. Appointments are not available and students are seen on a first-come, firstserved basis on the first floor of Moody Learning Center.

20 • The Ranger

Cheryl Richmond, owner of Texas Trash Clothing Exchange, gives change to customer Joe Vega after a purchase of a pair of shorts.

Vintage Recycling

Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing’s display of handcrafted jewelry, sunglasses, sh

Retro retailers are no strangers to reduce, reuse, recycle.

Story and photos by Megan Mares Designer flats, vintage sunglasses and worn in rock ‘n’ roll T-shirts have become staples in the wardrobes of younger generation. Vintage and consignment stores are popping up all over the place. Lucky for students, three are in this area.

Buffalo Exchange 145 W. Olmos Drive According to Buffalo Exchange’s website, the first location was opened in 1974 in Tucson, Ariz., near the University of Arizona.

Founders Kerstin and Spencer Block have since expanded from one store to 40, not including the two franchises.

Buffalo Exchange is now in 14 states, and according to the website, makes about $64.4 million a year in revenue as of December 2010.

Buffalo Exchange’s first, and only San Antonio location opened July 5.

Josh Geiger, manager of the San Antonio location, said that there were a lot of people from San Antonio driving to Austin just to buy or sell at the location there.

“The only time I’ve ever been to Austin is to go to Buffalo Exchange,” customer Jazmyn Derr said.

“It’s eccentric just like me.”

Geiger said that Austin is very eclectic and high end, but the clothing in each store is based on the customers in the area.

Mortuary science freshman Tressa Gonzalez shops for clothes at Texas Trash Clothing Exchange.

“You can find anything from American Apparel to Prada here,” he said.

Graphic design sophomore Amada Miller said at Buffalo Exchange, it’s easy to find quirky pieces and unique designs.

According to Buffalo Exchange’s website, the average price of items sold is $15.

Christina Carhart, associate manager at the local shop, said clothes can be brought in for 35 percent of retail price in cash or 50 percent in store

credit.

Geiger said instead of accepting a bag with a purchase, customers have the option of taking a token and donating 5 cents to charities chosen by the retailer.

He said the money adds up; since 1994, $380,000 has been donated across the country and 7.6 million bags have been saved.

Geiger said he loves that previously owned clothes are being worn again.

Summer 2011 • 21

hoes and purses

“It’s a huge thing I love about the company,” Geiger said. “I think it’s what I like the most, we are recycling.”

Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing 423 W. Grayson St. Jacob and Shelby Guevara opened Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing in November 2006.

Initially, Jacob Guevara said, they lived above their store in a small apartment.

“I was kind of an odd kid,” Shelby Guevara said.

“I would take clothes apart and then put them back together.”

“It was always Shelby’s dream,” Jacob Guevara said. “But even as a kid, I always wanted to design clothes. It’s kind of weird I know.”

Both Guevaras’ childhood dreams came true: Both design clothes and jewelry and sell them in their shop in addition to vintage clothes and accessories.

With a 16-month-old daughter, the couple still manages to run the store without any employees.

“We are thinking we are going to hire this girl, but she will only work one day a week,” Jacob said.

Jacob said the average price of items is about $40.

“The jewelry can range from as low as $20 to as high as $200,” Jacob said. “It just depends on what the materials are.”

The jewelry, mostly necklaces, includes leather, metal; and parts of other broken necklaces; and they are all handmade by Jacob and Shelby Guevara.

All of the clothes are bought from dealers.

Handmade one-of-a-kind necklaces at Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing “We like to combine the old with the new,” Jacob said.

The couple said they are hoping to open a second location.

They want to continue to sell their one-ofa-kind pieces but would like to expand and sell furniture.

“It’s nice to have a treasure hunt,” Jacob said, referring to other vintage stores. “But this store cuts the hunting right out of the picture.”

Texas Trash Clothing Exchange 2100 McCullough Ave. Cheryl Richmond, owner of Texas Trash Clothing Exchange, talked with customer Joe Vega about a local S&M convention downtown.

“This place is as much of a hangout as it is a place to shop,” Richmond said.

She said she often sits on the stoop outside the store with customers to talk and smoke cigarettes.

The clothing exchange opened in November 2009. Richmond said there are several reasons she opened, but the main reason was because she was tired of driving to Austin and Houston to buy punk rock clothing.

“We sell anything from trendy mall stuff to goth punk clothes,” she said. “The average price is about five bucks.”

Richmond has designated a corner of her store to a pile of clothes she allows homeless individuals to choose from at no cost. For others, the clothes in that pile cost 50 cents.

Describing herself and her husband as “homeless punk rockers,” she said, “I wanted the home-

A variety of boots for sale at Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing

Redemption Garb Vintage Clothing off West Grayson less and young kids to be able to afford it.”

Texas Trash also houses artwork created by 10 local artists. Richmond said she doesn’t charge a percentage to the artists.

About 99 percent of the clothing is bought or traded, Richmond said.

She said that if there is a tradeout, customers can opt for store credit printed on a receipt.

22 • Summer 2011

The Ranger

Library offers tools for success Study rooms, research assistance and QuickChat are among varied resources available to students.

By Jacob Beltran The library in Moody Learning Center offers many resources students can use at no charge to help with research for any class.

The library is on the second, third and fourth floors of the seven-story building.

Starting with the second floor, librarians at the reference desk in Room 205 can help students with sources of information for a research project with books in print or e-books that can be accessed at www.alamo.edu/sac/library/ebook.htm.

Librarians also are available for questions at the library’s main website through QuickChat, a chat window on the left side of each library page, which students can use to get quick replies during library hours.

On the third floor, in Room 325 students can check out books for two weeks at a time.

Keeping a book for more than two weeks incurs a late fee of 10 cents per day.

Study rooms are available for study groups of two or more students on the third floor for three hours at a time.

To reserve a study room, students must have a current college ID showing the students’ Banner number.

Aivars Norenbergs, reserve learning resources specialist, said students relying on older IDs without a Banner number cannot reserve a room or check out books.

Students who use a study room more than the three-hour limit will be charged $1 for each additional hour.

On the fourth floor, students can check out books for two hours in the reserve section of the library in Room 435 of Moody.

Students can check to see if their course has a book placed on reserve by the professor or department.

Norenbergs said that only 5 percent to 10 percent of textbooks in a semester are available at the reserve desk.

“The library doesn’t buy (text) books. We only get what professors or the department puts on reserve,” he said.

Drinks with lids are allowed in the library.

Library hours are 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.

For more information, call 210-486-0554.

Nursing freshman Tiara Wright and nursing sophomores Gudelia Patilla and Jennifer Anguiano prepare for class April 28 in the student learning assistance center in Moody.

The learning center offers a new cardless printing system in addition to the GoPrint machines at the center’s entrance. Ingrid Wilgen

Nursing sophomores Sheeran Marquez and Fidel Perez study for finals April 28 in a study area on the fourth floor of Moody. The students participate in clinical rotations at Southwest General Hospital at 7400 Barlite Boulevard. Ingrid Wilgen

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 23

All kinds of labs available for extra help

By Jacob Beltran Students who need tutoring or a place to study or print can find help in labs. Some are open to all students, and others are limited to those enrolled in a class in a department.

Designated registration labs that offer help with ACES include the business computer lab, the English labs and SLAC lab.

Among labs on campus are:

SLAC lab The Student Learning Assistance Center in Room 726 of Moody Learning Center offers tutoring in English, Spanish, astronomy, government, history and ESOL. SLAC also offers printing through a Go Print system. As with most labs, students need a current college ID to use the services.

SLAC is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday.

Math labs

For students who need math help, two math labs are in Gonzales Hall.

A college-level math lab in Room 124 has three rooms for students including a computer room, a study room and a printing room.

Math lab tutor Eser Camcioglu said students should have their book, notes, a pencil and paper to take down answers to their questions.

Across the hall, Room 121 is a remedial level math lab that also offers tutoring and has a room for study groups.

Lab supervisor Steve Ochoa said when a study group is using the room, he sends a tutor periodically to help the group with questions.

Ochoa also loans math DVDs created by the same author to students who need the extra help.

Biospot The Biospot, which is made up of three rooms beginning in Room 350 in Chance Academic Center, is open to any student who needs help with biology courses or a place to study.

In Room 350, students are encouraged to share ideas and discuss as a form of learning and can check out videos, books and models to help with studying. Students can also pick up printed handouts that have informa-

tion related to biology courses.

In Room 352, students have a quiet room with divided desks to study, while several private rooms are available for study. Room 335 is a computer lab students can use to type essays and view the biology university, a website that allows student to access Internet resources.

Multimedia For students who need help creating multimedia projects, the education multimedia center in Room 706 Moody is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Friday.

English labs Students who need English tutoring or to type an essay can use the English lab in Rooms 118 and 122 of Gonzales Hall.

Students must sign in with a banner ID and are advised to schedule tutoring a day ahead of time either in person or by calling 210-4861616.

The lab is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday.

Nursing For nursing students, a lab in Room 338 of the nursing complex is open. The lab also features a GoPrint system, which charges 10 cents per page in black and white.

Speech In the Strain Communication Center in Room 205 of McAllister Fine Arts Center, students can practice speeches.

The center has six PCs and six Macs that students can use for anything except printing.

The center is open 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Business Business students can use the business computer lab in Room 307 of the academic instruction center for homework and to make copies using a copy machine.

The lab is open 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday.

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24 • Summer 2011

KSYM No. 1 listener’s choice Student station offers real-life experience.

By J. Almendarez And the winner is ... KSYM! This year, San Antonians voted KSYM 90.1FM as the city’s Best Radio Station in the music category, according to the San Antonio Current.

The station is a student-run operation that features diverse genres of local and underground music throughout the week.

Musicians can submit CDs to the station by mailing them to KSYM at 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212 or by bringing music to the station in person.

Music Director Victoria Acevedo said, “The more presentable it is, the more likely it is to get played.”

She also reminds musicians that the station must abide

by Federal Communications Commission guidelines so excessive profanity or inappropriate content will not be considered for broadcast.

Acevedo directs music to DJs to consider for their segments.

Students interested in becoming a DJ and emcee at the station can do so by completing prerequisites: • COMM 1307, Introduction to Mass Communications.

• COMM 1335, Survey of Radio/Television.

• COMM 2303, Audio/Radio Production.

• COMM 2339, Writing for Radio, Television and Film.

Acevedo said the station gives students an opportunity for hands-on experience on-air working with professional equipment and editing processes.

The station’s request line is 210-486-5796.

For more information about the program, visit www.alamo. edu/sac/ksym/.

Cyber Café offers casual computing Games, TV and iMacs available on second floor of Loftin.

By Riley Stephens Pingpong tables, foosball, computers and televisions are available to students in Bailey’s Cybercafe on Roger Bailey the second floor of Loftin Student Center.

The café, named in honor of English Professor Roger Bailey who died August 2001, was originally in the student learning assessment center in Moody Learning Center.

It was designed to be a more casual environment where students could surf and enjoy a cup of coffee.

The equipment was donated, but as it has been replaced, student activity fee money has funded it.

The café was moved in June 2004 to its present location.

“The café is available to students with an ID,” student life Director Jorge Posadas said.

He said students who want to use the pingpong tables can bring paddles from home or can check out a paddle with a student ID. Pingpong balls can be purchased for 25 cents at the student life office in Room 260A of Loftin.

Manager Ron Smith oversees the lab. He has worked in Bailey’s since it opened.

Free printing is still available at the café.

“Students can print up to 10 free pages,” Posadas said.

For more information, call 210486-0125.

The Ranger

Twinkle, twinkle, little star attraction Planetarium showcases the night sky to more than 20,000 people a semester.

By J. Almendarez They’re not just stars. Depending on the time of year and location, they could be a centaur or a lion. And, the brightest light in the sky may not be the North Star. It could be Mars or Jupiter.

Whether or not interest in the mysteries of the night sky are noted on an astronomer’s map or phantoms in a Hollywood film, the Scobee Planetarium offers movie showings and star parties throughout the year to quench the thirst of anybody hoping to experience a close encounter.

The movies shown in the past explored the Mayan skies, took audiences to Saturn and explored the depths of black holes. However, it has offered many other adventures to the public since it opened in 1961.

Public show times are available Friday nights at 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., and 9 p.m.

The doors open 20 minutes before show time and close preThe San Antonio Astronomical Association cisely at show time. No late seating is permitted and availability conducts free astronomy related public outreach pro- is limited to 80 to 85 people per grams. File photo show.

All Alamo Colleges students, faculty and staff are admitted free of charge with a district ID card. Prices for the public are $2 for children age 4 to 17, $5 for adults 18 to 54 and $3 for senior citizens 55 or older.

The planetarium also enforces age restrictions on children.

In the past, however, the planetarium has catered to a younger audience by making its 6:30 p.m. showing a children’s movie such as “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” “The Little Star that Could,” and “The Sky Tonight.”

Discounted rates and reservation policies are available for school showings. Otherwise, no reservations are accepted.

Star parties coincide with astronomical occurrences like meteor showers, eclipses or planet observations. They usually start at 7:30 p.m.

While about a dozen telescopes set up by local amateur astronomers are available during the parties, many of the parties are scheduled to showcase events that can be seen with the naked eye.

Faculty and special guests from the San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers are available to answer questions and offer information about many of the occurrences. The shows take place in Lot 21 between Candler Physical Education Center and the planetarium. For more information, visit the Scobee Planetarium website www.alamo.edu/sac/ce/scobee/.

Summer 2011 • 25

Student life plans fall events

By David Espinoza Each year, the office of student life prepares a busy calendar of activities.

Thanks to the activity fee every student pays at a rate of $1 per semester hour, the office collects about $450,000 each year to fund events.

A committee reviews proposals for funding requests.

Check the calendar on the website of student life at www.alamo. edu/sac/stulife for details of upcoming events, but many activities are longstanding.

In the past, student life has cosponsored events for Hispanic heritage, black history, women’s history and a multicultural conference.

Regular events have included Karaoke Monday, live bands on Friday,

a talent show, and the fall Oktoberfest and Spring Fest in conjunction with clubs and organizations.

The Cheshyre Cheese Club presents a coffee night the third week of every month co-sponsored by student life.

Other events have included talent shows, spa day and a low rider car show. Sometimes, movies are shown in the Fiesta Room or outdoors.

The office is also a clearinghouse for campus clubs, and it oversees intramural and extramural sports.

Each month, a representative of clubs and organizations meet for the Presidents Round Table to exchange announcements and plan campuswide fundraisers.

For more information, students can or call 210-486-0125.

Clubs enrich academics

By David Espinoza Student clubs and organizations on-campus satisfy a number of academic, civic and recreational needs.

Student Government Association meets three times monthly to discuss projects and events it hosts including Pizza with the President, Dessert with the Deans and Chili with the Chairs.

These events give student a chance to ask questions or bring items to the attention of administrators.

Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Nu Chapter, is affiliated with the international honor society for students of two-year colleges. Members must maintain a high grade-point average.

Each year, the chapter is assigned a topic on which to focus events.

The clubs cover a wide variety of academics and interests.

Students majoring in sciences can check out the Astronomy Club, the Mortuary Science Club, the Society for Enhancement of Chicanos and Native Americans, the American Institute of Architecture Students, and Mexican American Engineers and Scientists.

In the social sciences, students can join the Public Administration Club; Psychology Club; SIFE, or Students in Free Enterprise; or Society of Professional Journalists.

Other clubs include the Gay and Lesbian Association, Non-Traditional Student Club and the International Students Association.

Arts and performance organizations include OnStage Drama Club, Student Art Guild and the Graphic Arts Club. The college also boasts a winning speech team.

Religious groups are also available, such as Baptist Student Ministries and Campus Crusade for Christ.

Though not campus organizations, the Catholic Student Association, United Methodist Student Ministry and the Church of Christ Student Center offer a variety of activities and services to students. Two centers are housed north of campus on the 300 block of West Dewey Place.

The Catholic facility is north of the Methodist center.

Clubs must register with the office of student life. For more information, call 210-486-0125.

The Ranger

26 • Summer 2011

Solution to the parking puzzle There are parking options beyond campus lots.

By Julysa Sosa For many students, finding a parking spot at the beginning of the semester can seem hopeless.

Before losing faith, take a minute to locate all the parking lots that surround the campus.

A map can be downloaded under Parking and Map on the college home page.

Patrol Officer Brian Williams says the first month of school is usually the busiest in student parking.

“The busiest time is from 8 a.m. to noon,” he said. “They need to get here one hour or more before (class).”

Williams suggested other commuting options like biking, riding the bus or carpooling.

During the first two weeks of a semester, police offer a grace period before beginning to issue citations for not having a parking permit or parking in unauthorized areas.

Although it is a grace period on campus, and students will receive city tickets for violations of city codes off-campus.

“Students will still get a ticket for illegally parking,” patrol Officer David Gutierrez said.

Examples of illegal street parking include parking in a handicap spot without a handicap permit, within 20 feet of a stop sign or blocking a fire hydrant.

After the grace period, students will be ticketed for failing to use a permit, parking in a faculty lot, visitor spots or administrator reserved parking. Parking permits will be sold for $50 at the business office in Fletcher Administration Center.

Off-campus, students can park for free at San Pedro Playhouse at Ashby Place and North Flores Street, as long as reserved spaces are respected.

Another location is an L-shaped, metered city lot at San Pedro and West Myrtle. The cost is 25 cents per hour up to 10 hours, and the hours of operation are from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Coin and credit card payments can be made

at one of three pay stations in the lot.

Students should avoid the adjacent parking lot for the San Pedro Branch Library. Violators will be ticketed.

Another option for parking for permit holders includes lots belonging to businesses along North Main Avenue: Luther’s Café, Sparky’s Pub, The Saint and Heat.

In exchange for allowing students to use those lots in the day, the college allows use of Lot 26 for the clubs at night.

Keep in mind, district rules and regulations apply to these off-campus parking lots.

Although police will be issuing tickets, they also will be issuing crime prevention reminders if a door is open or valuables are visible with a suggestion for preventing theft. “We do it to help the students out,” Gutierrez said.

Parking citations are $16 if paid within 10 school days from the date of the violation. If the fine is paid within 20 days, the price increases to $21, and if the fine is not paid within 27 days, the price increases to $27. Fees can be paid at the business office.

Students exit the parking garage on West Myrtle at Howard. Alison Wadley

Have it made in the shade

By Julysa Sosa Parking lots spread across the campus offer a wide range of choices, but the college’s one parking garage offers some additional perks. This time year, the best benefit is parking in a shaded location.

Parking enforcement Officer Nabor Gonzales explained any student with a current parking permit may park in the garage.

“Your car can stay cool and protected from the sun and heat,” Gonzales said.

However, Gonzales warned policies still apply in the garage, including having a permit, placing it in the proper spot, obeying the 10 mph speed limit and parking within the lines.

“It’s just a good common sense,” he said. “Some students think they don’t need a permit for the garage.”

Citations are issued for those who do not comply with the rules.

Gonzales also suggested students take time to find parking well ahead

of a class. “The early bird gets a good spot,” he said. “That’s what it takes.”

He said it’s nearly impossible for students to expect to find a parking spot five or 10 minutes before class. He also mentioned drivers often “flying by” while making turns in the garage and warns students to be careful.

Students ticketed for speeding have to go to municipal court.

Although still in the early stages, a public-private project with the Tobin Hill Historic District proposes transforming three blocks from Laurel to Park along Main, which includes the police sub-station, Lot 26 and Luther’s, into retail stores, apartments, academic space, a parking garage and a central plant for heating and air conditioning.

Last spring, six to eight months was the projected time for building to start and about three years to finish construction. The project is still looking for funding.

For more information on parking policies, visit www.alamo.edu/district/dps and click Parking on the left. For news of the public-private project, keep reading The Ranger.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 27

Alexandra Nelipa

The Ranger

28 • Summer 2011

Candler provides student recreation Call or visit the kinesiology department for recreational hours.

By Joshua Fechter Students looking for a workout, swim or game of basketball can find them in Candler Physical Education Center during recreational hours.

There are two gymnasiums, a pool, a physical conditioning room and racquetball courts.

The physical conditioning room has exercise bikes, weights up to 40 pounds and other exercise equipment.

There is a weight-training room, but students must be enrolled in a weight-training course to use it.

Biology sophomore Travis Torres, kinesiology freshman Randall Gutierrez, biology freshman Austin Atwood and engineering freshman Aaron Rios said they regularly use the gymnasium together for basketball

games.

“It’s important to make the best of what we have,” Rios said.

Torres said he wishes the gymnasiums were open longer, but they get to fit in a lot of games.

Facilities are also open to faculty and staff, including a physical conditioning room off-limits to students.

Locker rooms and dressing rooms are available, but individuals must bring their own towels, locks and equipment. Separate shower facilities are available to faculty and staff.

Recreational hours for each facility are subject to change.

For information regarding hours, go to www.alamo.edu/sac/kine/bulletin.htm.

For more information, call the kinesiology and dance department at 210-486-1010.

Students play basketball in Candler during an open gym session. Ingrid Wilgen

Fitness center open to students

By Joshua Fechter If hours at Candler Physical Education Center don’t work for students’ schedules, check the fitness center offerings in Loftin Student Center.

The center is on the south side of the ground floor and is open 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday.

Treadmills, recumbent bikes and other physical training equipment are available.

Liberal arts sophomore Gabriel Urquidez said he likes to use the center because he does not have to schedule his classes around his workout or vice versa.

Urquidez said he works full time and attends this college part time, so the center helps him get his workout.

He said the center’s hours are convenient.

Urquidez said he also likes using the equipment in the center because it is new and easy to use.

Urquidez said students should take advan-

A student listens to her iPod while doing an evening cardio workout in the fitness center in Loftin. File photo tage of the center because physical education is just as important as mental education.

“The mental and physical can’t function without one another,” he said.

Civil engineering sophomore Dulce Rivera said she likes using the center because it is clean and convenient.

“Plus, everyone minds their own business,” she said.

Students are required to leave a college ID card at the desk when they sign in to use equipment.

Students must be 18 years or older to use the center. The center was paid for with student activity fees assessed at $1 per semester hour, so there is no cost to use the facility.

Students are required to wear proper exercise clothing and footwear. No changing room or showers are available.

Students must bring a towel to wipe equipment with disinfectant or spray cleaner after use.

Students may bring water bottles and sports drinks into the center if they are kept in closed containers.

The center is not open on weekends.

For more information, call the office of student life at 210-486-0125.

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Summer 2011 • 29

Ride instead of drive Choose a healthy way to arrive on campus and save money.

Semester prices and half-rate pass available to students.

By Julysa Sosa Red-brick walkways and green patches of grass covered by shady trees set up the perfect scenery for a bike ride through campus.

Martha Stephenson, professor in the kinesiology and dance department, has been riding her bike to campus every day for the past eight years.

Stephenson says she doesn’t have problems with traffic and usually has a good commute to campus.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress and get your exercise without having to plan it,” she said.

Stephenson said some of the health benefits from riding a bike include increased cardio and respiratory activity, stress relief and major muscle coordination.

Stephenson said she commutes 14 miles roundtrip from home to school.

“Mostly everybody has a bike,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be expensive to own a bike.”

She said riders must obey traffic laws and equip themselves and their bikes with appropriate safety gear like a helmet and a night light.

Aside from health benefits, there are economic benefits like not having to fill up at the gas pump.

Stephenson says although it might not seem like much, she saves about $100 to $150 a month. “Everything starts to add up.”

Students who ride bikes to campus must be aware of policies, including a prohibition on riding a bike on campus.

VIA prices benefit students

By Julysa Sosa

A bicycle saves money on gas. Alison Wadley Patrol Officer Brian Williams said police usually don’t stop students if they are riding slowly through the campus and are courteous to pedestrians.

He said he would usually pull someone over and issue a citation if they are going too fast and endangering students.

As far as places to keep a bike during class, there are nine bike racks throughout the campus.

Student life also provides a student emergency bike repair service with a current student ID in Loftin Student Center.

Williams said as long as a bike is locked where it is not in

the way, it’s OK. He also encouraged students to bike to school instead of driving.

“Bring your bike and you can park farther away and ride to school,” he said.

VIA buses are equipped with two bike racks so riders can ride the bus and still bike to school.

“I do encourage students to ride their bike,” Stephenson said. “It just depends if they can do it safely.”

For more information on bicycle safety, visit www.sanantonio.gov/sapd, click on Bicycle Safety under Special Features.

Students who use public transportation to arrive at school can find a semester-long pass and discounted rate pass available on campus through VIA Metropolitan Transit.

A semester pass can be purchased for $35 at the business office and is valid for only one semester with a student ID, which will be a sticker on the student ID. The pass includes unlimited rides around town for five months.

However, it is not available for continuing education students.

“The semester pass is the cheapest because you pay $35 for a semester instead of monthly,” assistant bursar Junice Diaz said.

The passes are available at the beginning of every semester before classes start.

A half-fare pass is available at the help desk for free in Loftin Student Center.

Students must provide a student ID and fill in the pass with name, classification and signature.

Other passes include a $30 monthly pass and a $4 daily pass, which can be purchased online through the VIA website.

Another perk to riding the bus is not having to find parking before class, but make sure to check the bus schedules and routes.

Two racks are filled with route maps near the east entrance to Loftin.

All buses are also equipped with bus racks that hold up to two bikes for those who like to bike and ride.

This campus is surrounded by 14 bus stops along Evergreen Street, San Pedro Avenue, North Main Avenue and West Ashby Place.

Several more routes can be accessed within a few blocks of the campus.

More information on routes, maps and bus times can be found at www.viainfo. net.

30 • Summer 2011

Tycoon Flats at 2926 N. St. Mary’s

The Ranger

Main Street Pizza & Pasta at 1906 N. Main

Summer 2011 • 31

The Ranger

Vanessa’s Mexican Food at 1621 N. Main Left, a variety of condiments available at Frankfurter Express

Vegan, foreign or fancy Area eateries offer a wide variety of lunch and dinner specials.

Monday through Friday lunch specials are available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at $5.95 a plate.

On Sundays, the restaurant is closed.

By Megan Mares Frankfurter Express, 111 Kings Court Price range: $1.50-$6.99 The Frankfurter Express celebrated its twoyear anniversary April 1. Started by father and son duo Carlos and Damien Ayala, Carlos said they haven’t offered any student or military discount, but it is something to think about.

Thursday through Saturday either movies or bands play in the outdoor space. A flat screen in the corner of one of the main eating rooms had a “Star Wars” movie propped up against it.

Both Ayalas display their original artwork throughout the restaurant and once a month display another local artist’s work.

Pete’s Tako House, 1022 N. Main Ave. Employee Robert Rodriguez said the restaurant serves breakfast all day. “We’re known for our carne guisda and country sausage with gravy,” he said.

The 38-year-old restaurant, which won a WOAI Kitchen Cops Blue Plate Award, offers $1.40 breakfast taco specials from 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. six days a week. Choices include bean and cheese, egg,and egg with potato, bean or chorizo.

Courtyard dining at La Fonda on Main

La Fonda on Main, 2415 N. Main Ave. Price range: $3.95-$18.95 La Fonda on Main, the original La Fonda, was founded in 1930 by Virginia Berry and Nannie Randall across from the house where it is currently located. The restaurant moved in 1932 and was successful despite the Great Depression.

The restaurant continues to serve Mexican cuisine as it originally did in the 1930s. Amy Stinson, one of four managers, said it is only

open for lunch and dinner.

There is an outdoor patio and center courtyard decorated with colored strings of lights and kept cool with fans. Beyond the outdoor area, there is a large party room that can accommodate about 150 people.

Splitting a dish will cost $2.50; and there are no separate checks for groups larger than six.

The first round of chips and salsa is complimentary. Additional baskets are 95 cents.

Vanessa’s Mexican Food, 1621 N. Main Ave. Price range: $1.30-$6.99 The closest independent restaurant to campus, Vanessa’s Mexican Food, is behind Subway.

They also serve fruit, fruit cups and fruit shakes. Vanessa’s offers orders to go and lunch specials for those on a budget and in a hurry.

The lunch special is $4.95 for a plate and tea.

The restaurant is open for breakfast through early dinnertime Monday through Friday and offers indoor and outdoor seating.

Capparelli’s on Main, Café Italiano 2524 N. Main Ave. Price range: $5.95-$21.50 Guy and Rose Capparelli began serving this city Italian food in 1964.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

The Ranger

32 • Summer 2011 Originally from Calabria, Italy, Guy Capparelli, grew up working in bakeries.

His granddaughter, Gay Capparelli, opened Capparelli’s on Main in 2001. She was able to master all of the recipes her grandmother taught her over a 20-year period.

The restaurant serves 100 wines from around the world. There is indoor and outdoor seating available, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner.

Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

$1.50 is added to all plates and $1.75 is added to breakfast tacos. There are no refills, and the restaurant doesn’t accept checks.

Pho Sure, 741 W. Ashby Place Price range: $3.50-$8.95 Thinh Mai, founder, started Pho Sure five years ago when he was just 25 years old.

In May, Pho Sure, a Vietnamese restaurant, was sold to another owner. Mai said the new owner, Noy Singhanate, is a vegetarian like he is so the menu will continue to offer and even expand its vegetarian options.

“I drive by Bill Miller’s and McDonald’s and it’s packed,” Mai said. “I wish all those people knew where this was.”

Mai said a delivery service can prevent students and professors from having to lose a campus parking space. There is a $5 charge to deliver orders $40 or less, and a delivery of more than $40 is free.

Pho Sure has outdoor seating and a garden that includes some of the produce they use.

In one corner of the restaurant are a couch and bookshelf, good for opening a book and reading or studying.

Tycoon Flats, 2926 N. St. Mary’s St. Price range: $2.50-$25 Richard Hartman said there have been several owners of Tycoon Flats, but he would like to restore it as close to the original as possible.

There is indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor area has flat screens that Hartman tunes to sports. There is live music throughout the week, and sports are projected outdoors.

Hartman said the restaurant serves Certified Angus beef.

Taqueria Chapala Jalisco, 1819 McCullough Price range: $1.30-$15.99 Victor Gonzales, owner, started the restaurant eight years ago, and now has two locations.

Gracie Rosas translated Gonzales’ reasoning for wanting to open his own restaurant, “When I came to the U.S., (working in a restaurant) was the first job I had and I liked it.”

A jukebox with Tejano provides a soundtrack.

The restaurant serves Mexican food from 6 a.m. until close seven days a week. Friday through Saturday it is open until midnight. The rest of the week the restaurant closes at 11 p.m., except Thursdays when they close at 11:30 p.m.

Breakfast is served all day, but after 11 a.m.,

Luther’s Café, 1425 N. Main Ave., Price range: $3.95$11.95 Executive chef Deb Harper said the café is famous for its burgers and chili. The café offers free Wi-Fi, and Harper said that they are brainstorming some student and military deals they can offer.

Harper said that the restaurant is not only a great place for lunch but also for dinner and drinks.

Manager Amador Montoya said there are specials on Facebook that customers can print.

Breakfast is served all day, but after 10:30 a.m., breakfast tacos increase by 20 cents.

Monday through Saturday, the café opens at 5:30 a.m. On Sunday, it opens at 7:30 p.m.

The Cove, 606 W. Cypress St. Price range: $2.50-$9.50 Employee Monica Sutton said the type of cups the restaurant uses cost 40 cents each because they are biodegradable.

Sutton said the family atmosphere, garden and organic food keep customers coming back. She said the owner’s philosophy is eat well, live well.

The Cove offers free Wi-Fi, a laundromat and car wash. There are several menus customers can choose from, including vegan. All meats The Cove serves are grass-fed, free of antibiotics and hormones and are Texas- raised.

The restaurant uses only greens without pesticide residue and serves only Boylan Sodas, which contain no high fructose corn syrup.

Main Street Pizza & Pasta, 1906 N. Main Ave. Price range: $2.49-$135 for groups of 40.

Eddie Garza started Main Street Pizza & Pasta in January 1993.

Before starting the restaurant, he worked in the business for 10 years.

After 28 years, Garza’s restaurant has won awards such as the Jalapeño and carrot cake at The Cove Demo’s Greek Food, 2501 WOAI Kitchen Cops Blue N. St. Mary’s St. Plate Award, and the AOL City Guide City’s Best Price range: $1.50-$22.15 Take Out. Demosthenes Karagas originally founded “We’ve been serving SAC since the day we Demo’s Greek Food on Blanco Road in 1979. opened,” Garza said.

The second restaurant at North St. Mary’s If dining in, be sure to show a college ID for Street and Ashby Place east of this college was free iced tea for all students and employees. opened in 1996 and is across the street from St. There is a $5 credit card limit and 50-cent Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. charge for all to-go items.

The loft overlooks a mosaic and pebble floor and is available for study groups at lunch.

Additional independent area eateries Belly dancers perform at 7:30 p.m. on Price range: $6-$10 Wednesday. Ikon, Demo’s Greek music house Armadillo’s, burgers, 1423 McCullough Ave. band, performs 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the first Burger Boy, 2323 N. St. Mary’s St. Saturday of every month.

Enchilada Warehouse, 2106 N. St. Mary’s St. Green Vegetarian Cuisine & Coffee, 1017 N. El Milagrito Café, 521 E. Woodlawn Ave. Flores St. Price range: $1.19-$8.99 Las Salsas, Mexican, 2018 San Pedro Ave. El Milagrito Café was founded by the Sonora Little Taco Factory, 1510 McCullough Ave. family in 1969 commemorating “the miracle” of Saigon Express, 1626 McCullough Ave. a safe move from Chicago to San Antonio.

Sandwich Garden, 1826 McCullough Ave.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 33

Officers strive for safety

Police determine action for responding to emergencies.

Recent assaults prompt higher-profile police presence.

By J. Almendarez

By J. Almendarez Students studying at picnic tables, kinesiology classes jogging through the campus and frazzled professors rushing through corridors with coffee splashing over the edge of a cup offer typical images of college life.

Since moving to this location and displacing an urban neighborhood, this college has grown into the typical college setting. But before getting entrenched in classes and extracurricular activities, students should be aware that despite the lovely landscaping, this campus is not always a picture-perfect paradise.

Students at this downtown campus have been victims of a variety of assaults, thefts and accidents that prey on the denizens of all large cities.

However, the Alamo Colleges Police Department has services and safety tips in place to keep this campus orderly and to protect students, faculty and staff.

Police offer escorts to and from vehicles; assist with automobiles, including battery jump-starts, tire inflations, unlocking cars and accident reports; response to scenes involving sick or injured people; and reports that document suspicious activities and people.

Cpl. Marisa Saccio said information reports are essential to public safety because if a crime occurs and an information report was filed, the department, “is not left completely in the dark.”

Saccio said she offers the following safety advice above all else because of the number of reports she receives in reference to each situation: • Be aware of your exact location on campus at all times in case an emergency happens and help is needed immediately.

• Remember the exact location of a vehicle by recording the parking lot number it’s located in.

• Have a general plan of a daily schedule and give it to a trusted family member in case of an emergency.

• Report safety concerns even if they are based on a “gut feeling.”

• Keep personal belongings in your possession at all times.

Officers issue citations for those who break school and city codes involving parking, smoking, pets, transportation and decals.

She recommends students at this campus look at the Alamo College Police Department website for complete lists of safety tips and school policies. The website is at www.alamo.edu/district/dps/deplinks/orientations.htm.

To contact the general dispatch, call 210-485-0099.

Emergencies can be reported to 210-222-0911.

Safety tips The Alamo Colleges Police Department website offers these general safety tips: • Keep vehicles locked at all times.

• Make a distinctive mark in textbooks to identify them if they are lost or stolen.

• Check your vehicle for anything out of the ordinary before getting into it.

• Do not leave property visible in your vehicle.

• Avoid bringing excess money or credit cards to school.

• Log off of websites that have your personal information on them.

• Change Internet passwords often.

• Avoid traveling alone and in dark areas of campus at night.

• Become familiar with the location of courtesy phones on campus. They are located on pillars with blue lights on top of them.

• Avoid being alone on campus at night. This includes in the library, stairwells and hallways.

• Have your keys in your hand before reaching your vehicle.

• Try to park vehicles near light posts if you are on campus at night.

If you spot an accident or an emergency on campus, you’ll want to have the college’s emergency dispatch number on hand.

The fastest way to get campus police to the scene of an accident is to call 210-2220911.

Cpl. Marisa Saccio of the Alamo Colleges Police Department said officers can quickly respond to calls for help either by foot, bike or patrol car.

While officers are not trained first responders, they use their discretion to decide if EMS is necessary at an accident, she said.

She said they also gather information about the incident so they can file an accident report and provide EMS with basic information if it’s needed.

Officers also can help people go to the health center in Room 119 of Chance Academic Center where they can receive free over-the-counter medication, various tests, basic first aid care and a bed to rest.

Registered nurse Paula Daggett is not able to respond to emergency situations on campus because she is not an emergency responder.

She is required to remain at the health center to continue providing services to people who need to use the facility.

For more information about the health center, call 210486-0222.

The Ranger

34 • Summer 2011

Drink up to prevent heat effects Nurse offers tips for staying hydrated in the heat.

By J. Almendarez The suffocating heat of summer in San Antonio creates cracked lips, salty skin and light-headedness, all are common effects during summer months in this town.

But there are ways to stay healthy and beat the heat this summer.

Registered Nurse Paula Daggett, coordinator of the college health center, said one of the best ways to stay hydrated is simple.

“If you feel thirsty then you’re not drinking enough,” she said.

She said other symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, dry skin, dry eye, difficulty

concentrating and feeling faint.

Sometimes, if dehydration progresses without treatment, she said people may need medical assistance in a hospital because it could cause an increase in blood pressure.

While most people know that eight cups of water a day is healthy, Daggett said people can consume less than that without negative side effects.

She recommends people consume sports drinks throughout the summer to replace the electrolytes lost during perspiration.

“Water can’t replace that,” she said.

She also said to take into account water intake from other sources such as fruit, vegetables, soup and other drinks.

For more heat precautions and tips visit the Carry water in a bottle for hydrating all day.

Texas Department of Health at www.dshs.state.

File photo tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_heat.shtm.

The health center offers medications, consultations and naps

By J. Almendarez Scraped knees, twisted ankles and headaches are bound to happen at a college that hosts more than 25,000 students a semester, and when they do, registered nurse Paula Daggett is prepared to relieve students of their ailments or direct them to a source that can.

The health center in Room 119 of Chance Academic Center is equipped with supplies to help students, faculty and staff with their overall wellness.

Daggett said the free services available are over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen; basic first aid care like bandaging wounds or icing pains; testing for blood pressure, blood sugar and pregnancy; rest beds available for an hour at a time; and condoms that fill a large bowl on the front desk.

Daggett uses her 17 years of nursing experience at this college to provide health counseling, which is used to answer questions and makes references to alterna-

Products like these can be found in the college health center. File Photo tive sources for treatment.

She can also help people without health insurance find low-cost clinics.

Throughout the semester, the

health center also features presentations on campus about common health concerns such as sexual awareness, stress management and eating disorders.

The health center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed from 1 p.m.-2 p.m. for lunch. The phone number is 210-486-0222.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 35

Alexis Hernandez and Abigail Alvarez run after the soap bubbles made by child care specialist Loretta Kelley at the early childhood

center at 210 W. Ashby. The early childhood studies department offers day care in the center. File photo

Center provides childcare for student parents Student parents may be eligible for child care grants.

By Joshua Fechter Students in need of child care can take advantage of the early childhood center at 210 W. Ashby Place.

The center is open to children from 6 weeks to 4 years.

Interim Director Claudia Gonzales said although the deadline for submitting applications was July 14, students can still apply and be put on a waiting list in case there is an opening.

The registration fee is $72 per child, and students must sign a contract showing a payment preference of either monthly or semimonthly

installments.

The weekly rates for students are $163 for early toddlers, $160 for toddlers and $157 for preschool children.

The age requirements for each group are 12 months to 2 years for early toddlers, 2 years up to 3 years for toddlers and 4 years up to 5 years for preschool children.

There are no requirements, such as toilet training, for admission.

The current enrollment capacity is 82.

Parents may be eligible for the Carl Perkins and Childcare Access Means Parents in School, or CCAMPIS, grants to reduce the parent’s payments.

Thirty slots with Perkins Grant funding are available each semester, and six of those slots

are reserved for part-time students.

In January 1974, the child development center was established to provide child care for faculty and staff, and in spring 1986, the National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited the center.

That year, the center began serving students.

In spring 2006, the name was changed to the early childhood center when the child development department became the early childhood studies department.

The center functions as both a child care center and a training laboratory for early childhood studies students who plan to work as early childhood teachers, specialists and tutors.

For more information, call the center at 210486-0530.

The Ranger

36 • Summer 2011

Counseling provides services despite cuts

By Ximena Victoria Alvarez As budgets shrink, the counseling center is adapting to provide services to students.

Counselors and advisers provide guidance to first-time-in-college students for registration through group advising.

The counseling complex on the basement level of Moody Learning Center includes personal counseling, career services, transfer center, Veterans Affairs, San Antonio Education Partnership, and Graduation Project.

David Rodriguez, interim director of counseling and advising services, said that though counselors are not teaching student development courses, counseling works very closely with student development.

“We don’t just want to register students; we want them to succeed,” Rodriguez said.

The transfer center provides students with information from universities and colleges about degree programs and transfer requirements.

Ten computers are available for students to research colleges and universities.

Veterans Affairs makes sure veterans are meeting requirements to keep military benefits and take advantage of all programs they are eligible for.

Career services offers program to help students discover their strengths and explore career options.

The San Antonio Education Partnership program provides scholarships to senior high school students who continue their education in San Antonio.

During freshman year, participants pledge to maintain a B average and 90 percent attendance throughout high school.

The center has eight counselors with the minimum of a master’s degree and 15 advisers with a bachelor’s degree.

Advisers process students who are dropping classes. Counselors can offer options for success in school when a student decides to drop all courses.

For more information on counseling, call 210-486-0333.

Danielle Hernandez shares information about breast cancer with students at a Peer Educators table. File Photo

Peer Educators offer assistance, information

By Ximena Victoria Alvarez Being a college student is not easy. Students need to learn how to juggle commitments to classes, family, work and personal time.

According to statistics more than 20 percent of U.S. college students suffer from some type of stress, anxiety or mental disorder and more than 5 million women aged 15-24 have eating disorders and as many as 1 million men.

Suicide is the third leading cause of deaths.

Colleges are more aware and are making changes and providing more guidance and support to students.

Peer Educators and The Student Assistance Program offer counseling and information on alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, birth control, pregnancy testing, STD testing and breast cancer.

Peer educators provide 10 free counseling

sessions with Dr. Dawn McFadden.

Peer Educators are not allowed to pass out condoms out on campus due to district regulations but students are welcome to pick up condoms from a basket at the entrance of Peer Educators office.

Peer Educators are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center. For more information on Peer Educators, call 210-486-1448.

The Ranger

Summer 2011 • 37

Stock up to get through the term School supplies are elementary for all levels of education.

By Ranger staff There may not be a list of supplies posted at Target or H-E-B for college students, but there are items every college student is likely to need.

Start with pens, pencils and highlighters. Find a style you like — if that’s an important consideration for you — or just something that gets the job done.

Don’t just buy one or two. Unless you hold the Guinness World Record for hanging onto writing instruments, expect to lose a few through chance or petty larceny.

Next, you need something to write on. The choices are astounding.

Some students prefer a spiral notebook so no notes get lost, while others prefer a three-ring binder and loose-leaf paper so they can keep everything stored in one place.

Others opt for hard-backed, legal-style pads for easy note-taking on your lap. Some even come three-hole punched for easy filing.

Which brings us to a hole-punch. Despite a ban on printing handouts, the occasional instructor still insists on putting paper in your hands so be ready to file it right away.

The next item, you may not think about until the last minute when you need it, but every student should have a portable stapler for turning in those thick essays, research papers and homework assignments.

As long as you are packing a stapler, you might as well have a staple remover.

Depending on your classes, you might have an occasional need for paper clips, rubber bands or a straight-edge.

Print your syllabuses and file them so you can refer to them at any time.

You should sit down at the beginning of the semester to transfer all the assignment due dates, exam dates, project due dates and final exam times into a daily planner. You can use a paper one that you carry at all times or an electronic one on a smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Also, add your study time, work hours, travel time to college and work, and other family or social obligations.

Make sure you leave some time for yourself and hanging out with friends.

If your calendar is too crowded, your life surely will be, so review it at the beginning to see where you can trim.

Find out if your instructor requires Scantron forms, get the correct form number and invest in enough to get you through the semester so you don’t have to run to the bookstore three minutes before your exam begins.

That’s the basic, low-tech list, but these days, students have to consider the high-tech tools, too.

The high-tech portion of the list starts with a flash drive, also called a jump or thumb drive, to keep copies of papers, projects and Power Points close at hand.

For your own good and to avoid frustrating your instructor, name your drive. Use the name you go by so there is no mistaking you with the handful of others who also neglected to name their drives.

While you are at it, secure a permanent marker to label the outside of your drive and anything else you don’t want to lose.

Many students like to record lectures and class sessions to play back later while studying.

Many small recorders are available as well as attachments for MP3 players. Just ask for your instructor’s approval first.

Gaining in popularity is the Smart Pen that records audio as you take notes and will play back the appropriate part of the audio when you point to notes. Though still pricey, this looks like it will be a wonderful addition to the student toolbox.

Be sure to carry a college ID card with your Banner number so you can access the library and labs.

Buy a GoPrint card for $1 and load it for those 10-cent copies you will inevitably need this term. Check into the new cardless print system in the student learning assistance center in Room 726 of Moody Learning Center, too.

Keep a little cash on hand also for refilling the card.

A few other tools you might have on a smart phone include a calculator — you’ll need it for more than math — a dictionary and thesaurus. If you don’t have a smart phone, you will get a lot of use out of these items.

On a side note, pack along items you need for personal comfort throughout the day. Invest in a water bottle and small packages of antacid and aspirin or your preferred pain reliever. Tuck in a little sewing kit for emergencies.

Also, carry some healthy snacks, such as trail mix, dried or fresh fruit, or power bars, to nibble throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels constant.

Finally, check the buildings where you will have classes or labs for the temperature. The scorching South Texas heat often translates into refrigerator temperatures indoors, so you might need to carry a light jacket or sweater.

The Ranger

38 • Summer 2011

Never too early to plan to graduate President stresses the benefits of graduating before transferring.

Students should keep these tips in mind: Declare a major and select a degree plan early, develop relationships with counselors and faculty advisers and graduate with an associate degree before transferring.

By Krystal Barcenez President Robert Zeigler attended this college and received a total of 66 credit hours before transferring to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

After this move, he regretted not having a plan and being as prepared as he should have been. He said he had to retake numerous classes.

Today, Zeigler emphasizes the importance of being prepared and having a plan to follow while in school and the benefits of graduating with an associate degree before transferring.

The benefits include better grades, a higher rate of retention and completion, and a better chance of finding a job.

Dr. Jessica Howard, vice president of academic affairs, said, “Data shows that students who graduate with an associate degree out of community college and then transfer to university are more likely to have better jobs out of college and are more confident.

The difference in lifetime earnings of a person with high school graduate credentials

Graduates move their tassels from the right to the left side during the May 2010 commencement ceremony. Alison Wadley and a person with college graduate credentials amounts to about $1 million more.

Howard’s goal is to increase the graduates this college produces by establishing a graduation and success-oriented culture on this campus and encouraging faculty and counselors to become more proactive in classes.

Geraldo Guerra, Staff Council president, said, “Regardless of anything, you can still graduate and use every resource given. Graduation is not impossible.”

Commencement is conducted once each

spring. Students who completed requirements the previous summer and fall may participate as can those who lack up to six credit hours and expect to complete those the following summer.

Zeigler was awarded an associate degree after earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Sam Houston State, and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University.

Reverse transfer is an option for those who transfer to a four-year university without completing all the requirements.

Once those requirements are fulfilled at the university, the credits can be transferred back to this college to attain the associate degree.

For more information on graduation, visit the college home page at www.alamo.edu/sac and click on Graduation under Quick Links.

More reasons to graduate can be found under Why You Should Get an Associate Degree under links on the Graduation page.

Beware defaulting on student loans

By Laura Garcia Tuition, room and board, books, transportation and a computer can add up pretty fast. Before signing the dotted line and borrowing money, heed the fine print warnings.

Not paying loans back on time, also called a default, can cause serious consequences that can follow a student throughout life.

Students with financial need can apply for subsidized loans, in which the Department of Education pays interest while the borrower is enrolled at least half-time, or six hours.

Direct subsidized loans for undergraduates with a first disbursement date between July 1, 2010, and June 30 is at a 4.5 percent interest rate.

Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need, and the student is responsible for all interest accrued during enrollment.

Direct unsubsidized loans for all students are available at a 6.8 percent interest rate.

Many try to pay the interest while enrolled to avoid a mountain of debt after college.

Students can take 10 to 25 years to pay off loans, depending on the repayment plan. If students have trouble repaying, they can apply for a deferment, which allows students to temporarily stop making payments, or a forbearance, which allows the borrower the option to make smaller

payments and extend the life of the loan.

Should students fail to make payments according to the terms of their promissory note, a legally binding contract, they risk being in default.

According to the Department of Education’s website, students can face these consequences: • National credit bureaus can be notified of a student’s default, which will harm credit ratings, making it hard to buy a car or a house.

• Students will be ineligible for additional federal student aid if they decide to return to school.

• Loan payments can be deducted from the borrower’s paycheck in the form of garnished wages.

• State and federal income tax refunds can be withheld and applied toward the amount owed.

• Late fees and collection costs can be added on top of what is already owed.

• The borrower can be sued.

The Department of Education suggests students borrow wisely: Only accept a loan for what is needed even if eligible for more.

The department also suggests students look for ways to maximize income and decrease expenses and look for non-loan aid such as grants and scholarships.

For more information, go to http://direct.ed.gov.

The Ranger

Earn credit overseas Study abroad program offers students a chance to travel.

By Ximena Victoria Alvarez Expand your horizons and earn college credits while studying abroad.

Alamo Colleges international programs office offers students semester and summer study abroad programs through the College Consortium for International Studies.

The consortium offers about 90 programs in 29 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Spain and Switzerland.

Alamo Colleges has offered study abroad in collaboration with departments at San Antonio College and Palo Alto College.

This year, the international programs office worked with architecture, English, foreign languages and information technology project management and plans to work with more departments in the future.

The international programs office will be informing students of travel opportunities through ACES email.

Financial aid can be applied to the cost of the program, and the international programs office offers scholarships to help offset the cost.

For more information, email Maria Rivera at mrivera@alamo.edu or call 210-485-0084.

Summer 2011 • 39

Have a plan, transfer easily

By Alma Linda Manzanares Students should start researching universities to transfer to as soon as they enroll, transfer center Coordinator Rosa Maria Gonzalez said.

The transfer center helps students find university degree plans, transfer guides for specific majors, information about local joint admissions agreements and university catalogs.

The transfer center in the counseling complex in Moody Learning Center is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday and Thursday, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. It is also open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. select Saturdays.

“It’s important students take the right courses and get familiar with different career options and majors,” Gonzalez said.

In the transfer center, students can talk to counselors and meet oncampus advisers from universities.

Advisers visit campus at least twice a month on the first floor of Chance Academic Center to answer questions about degree plans, financial aid options, admission processes, housing options and deadlines, Gonzalez said.

Students can make appointments to talk to advisers in the transfer center.

A list of dates for university representatives can be found at the transfer center homepage at www.alamo. edu/sac/csd/tc/default.htm.

The transfer process takes time so Gonzalez recommends starting at least six months in advance, but some universities may require applications as early as a year in advance.

For those applying to public colleges in Texas, students need to fill out an application at applytexas.org; pay the application fee, which varies by university; submit a transcript; and apply early for financial aid, she said.

Students also can visit transfer101.org, a website to help students understand transferring and make the process easier.

For more information, call 210-486-0864.

Photo illustration Alison Wadley

40 • Summer 2011

The Ranger