The Ranger Oct. 4, 2013 revised

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Volume 88 Issue 4 • Oct. 4, 2013

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

District to spend $689K on ‘7 Habits’ training

Heads up Winter is coming, and with it the flu Along with winter comes the flu, common cold and infectious onslaughts that interrupt work and fun. While avoiding the flu isn’t always achievable, there are some simple ways to avoid the stress of missed classes and lost income.

It is easy to dismiss the power of soap and water, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it is critical to preventing illness and the spread of enemy microbes. It is so important, the CDC endorses the fifth annual of Global Handwashing Day Oct. 15.

The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap is behind Global Handwashing Day. Nursing students are tested on hand-washing skills, nursing student Kim Vilo said. “It is the No. 1 way of preventing the spread of germs. Wash your hands as long as it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to yourself.”

For more information, visit www.globalhandwashing.org and www.cdc.gov.

Paula Christine Schuler

Math PASS on Students in remedial math can now advance to collegelevel math without enrolling in a class, affecting GPA or paying endless semesters of tuition for no college credit.

The Preparation for Accuplacer Student Success, or PASS, offers a refresher to increase success in math.

PASS Coordinator Steve Ochoa said the workshops target students who want to test out of one or two levels of developmental math. “This program is computer-based and is a oneweek math boot camp. In this program, students will start by taking an assessment test and based on that assessment test, students will be given problems related to their weakest areas in math. At the end of the week, students will take the Accuplacer for math and would either advance or stay at their level of math.”

PASS sessions are 1 p.m.4:30 p.m. Oct. 7-8 and 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 9-11 in Room 707M of Moody Learning Center.

Registration is under the web service tab in ACES and is listed under math. Ochoa said the workshop is free, but students must pay $22 for the Accuplacer.

For more information, call Ochoa at 210-486-0240.

Christopher A. Hernandez

/readtheranger

Chancellor envisions leadership training in the curriculum.

By Carlos Ferrand

cferrand@student.alamo.edu

Sherrie Shively carries husband, theology sophomore Charlie Shively’s wheelchair and books up stairs Wednesday on the crosswalk between McCreless and McAllister. Sherrie said there is wheelchair access to the building, but the entrance is at the corner of San Pedro and West Courtland is at the top of a steep incline. Daniel Arguelles

Easier wheelchair access to McAllister needed DSS solved problems, but more to go.

By Katherine Garcia

kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu

Sherrie Shively leaves Loftin Student Center at 12:30 p.m. to wheel her husband, theology sophomore Charlie Shively, to his MUSI 1306, Music Appreciation, class 1 p.m.1:50 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Room 103 of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Sherrie said it takes 15 to 20 minutes to get to class and the rest of the time to get her husband situated in a wheelchair desk in Ramon Gonzalez’s class.

Shively, who is also blind, expressed the difficulties his wife

has in getting him to McAllister. She wheelchair up each step. has to take the elevator underneath She said she took this route the breezeway by Gonzales Hall and because coming up the San Pedro cross the second floor walkway to Avenue sidewalk to enter through the McCreless Hall, which has a ramp. west side of McAllister was too steep.

But to get to McAllister, he had to The sidewalk turning onto West get out of his wheelCourtland is broken chair and slowly and uneven, so peoSee related climb the steps to ple have to get on the access and the elevated crossstreet before they can facilities stories walk to McAllister. enter the parking lot. on Pages 4-5.

Sherrie said this The first floor is not easy for him of McAllister leads because he has been weakened by to the second floor of McCreless, dialysis treatments, adding she has so people can’t access the elevator needed students’ help to carry her from the first floor of McCreless. husband up the stairs to access the McCreless was closed for repairs crosswalk. during the summer, so repairs to She sometimes walked backward See ACCESS, Page 5 up the stairs, bringing her husband’s

!

In an attempt to develop leadership among employees and students at the Alamo Colleges, the district is spending $689,000 over three years to reproduce materials and training for Stephen R. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

According to franklincovey. com, “’The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ training program is training that helps an organization achieve superior results by focusing on making individuals and leaders more effective.

The $689,000 price tag for intellectual rights resulted from a renegotiation of the district’s contract with Franklin Covey Co. for 2014, saving the district $233,500.

In April, the board approved $922,500 to continue the district program with Covey through fiscal year 2014 and $306,090 to purchase instructional materials and facilitator services from Covey for fiscal year 2013, which ended Aug. 31.

In August, the district renegotiated the contract to purchase intellectual rights instead.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie stressed

See HABITS, Page 10

District studies requiring a ‘learning framework’ course for all students The change could further reduce enrollment in literature courses.

By Bleah B. Patterson and Emily Rodriguez The Alamo Colleges is considering a change in the core curriculum to require all students to take a threehour student development course.

Although the proposal is still in the planning stages, students would be required to take EDUC 1300 or PSYC 1300. Both are titled Learning Framework in the 2013-14 catalog and are cross-referenced.

Christa Emig, director of coordination and transfer articulation, said Thursday that officials have not decided which of the courses would be required.

Unlike the current student development course, SDEV 0170, required for

students with fewer than 15 semester hours who are at college level, the learning framework courses are transferable to universities that accept them.

Emig said that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has redefined the core curriculum for associate of arts programs, which has given the Alamo Colleges a chance to rethink and restructure that core.

“We really are thinking of the core as a collection of core objects that we want to make sure students are obtaining, such as critical thinking, communication, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork and social and personal responsibility,” she said.

In 2012-13, Alamo Colleges streamlined and standardized the associate of arts core curriculum.

Faculty discipline teams had to justify all courses included in the 42-hour core and write common learning outcomes, which went into effect this semester.

Students working on associate of applied science degrees also would have to take the learning frameworks course.

“We want all students to have the opportunity to take the courses,” Emig said. “We do want students on the technical side, if they’re earning an A.A.S. or a certificate, to be able to take the SDEV or the learning framework class.”

The course cannot be added to the core curriculum because the THECB will not allow a core curriculum to exceed 42 hours, Emig said.

That means the course would have to replace a current core requirement.

English Chair Mike Burton believes “the most likely outcome” and a disturbing option to the English department would involve replac-

ing either of these courses with one of two humanities options the core now requires.

Those in the English department fear that when the core is once again revised, it will “continue to erode enrollment in sophomore literature,” Burton said.

In fall 2011, the core

See DISTRICT, Page 10

People

2 • Oct. 4, 2013

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Alumni showcase recent work, reminisce with professors

By Adriana Ruiz

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Former art students James Woodard and Erick Salazar have been invited back by their former professors to showcase their most recent work in a joint exhibit titled Milieu Ditch/Nice Pictures.

Woodard and Salazar attended classes at this college in 2005 where they participated in the art program and were students of Professors Tom Willome, who is in charge of the exhibit, and Ed Rodriguez, who is the curator for the exhibit. Rodriguez invited the artists to showcase their work here because he believes they are good role models for current art students.

“We wanted a painting exhibit, Mr. Willome and I, that would provide good role models and examples for our current painting students,” Rodriguez said. “We had seen their work recently since they graduated at exhibits around town, and they seemed like a good combination.”

Woodard and Salazar have been active in the art community and had their work displayed at local art galleries such as the Lone Star Gallery, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum and the LuminArte Art Gallery in Dallas.

During their time here as students, Woodard and Salazar participated in annual art students exhibitions. Their art was recognized in different media such as photography, ceramics, sculpture, design, painting

and printmaking.

Salazar and Woodard said they each had about 20 artworks that were selected to be in the student exhibits.

Over the years, Woodard and Salazar have taken the time to stop by and check in and build personal relationships with their former professors.

“I would stop by just to see how everyone was doing. If I got into a show, I would let them know. If I did something I thought was good, I would give them a headsup. It was just the fact that the lines of communication were kept,” Salazar said.

“Erick and I got to know the professors. They were our mentors and our peers,” Woodard said.

Rodriguez said he remembers his former students and art professors use some of their artwork as examples when lecturing.

“Aside from being successful alumni, they got their bachelor’s degree, and they are active exhibiting artists. So they are examples, and their work is good.”

After graduating from this college, Woodard received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and Salazar received his from the University of North Texas in Denton.

Salazar said he thanks the educational foundation that he received from this college and credits his professors for teaching him everything he knows about art.

“They taught me everything I

Painting Professor Ed Rodriguez holds artwork titled “A Beautiful Uncertainty” made entirely of duct tape by his former art student Erick Salazar, while another former art student, James Woodard, hammers a nail in visual arts. Adriana Ruiz know from the ground up. I came in not knowing what a good painting would be,” Salazar said.

Woodard said he learned a lot from his professors and they helped him change his perspective.

“I learned to see the world in a different way; it informed my perspective on the world,” Woodard said.

“They were tough, stern but fair. They would yell at you and they were jerks, but there was so much to learn from

them.”

Now that both former students are graduated and have returned to their roots here on campus, they hope that their exhibit will spark an effect on students.

“I hope it inspires whether it’s good or bad. I hope people come in and say ‘man I don’t want to paint like this.’ Whether it’s good or bad, as long as it has an effect, then it’s successful,” Salazar said.

“Milieu Ditch/Nice Pictures” features non-objective, non-representational, abstract paintings by both former students.

There will be an opening reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the visual arts gallery.

This event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display until Nov. 9.

For more information, call 210486-1043.

Mortuary science sophomore Charles Skinner applies plastaline to a skull while practicing facial reconstruction during Professor Mary Mena’s technical procedures restorative art class. Osita Omesiete

Above: Music sophomore Nicholas Stewart plays Heinze’s “B Flat Major” on his alto saxophone at Open Mic Night sponsored by the Cheshyre Cheese Club Sept. 27 in Loftin. He expresses the song as if it were a poem. Marina Garcia

Left: Javier Arguello, San Antonio Police Department recruiting officer, explains to criminal justice freshmen Samantha Hernandez and Alyssa Garcia the requirements for the department’s physical fitness test. The department recommends individuals attend its physical fitness readiness program offered 6:30 a.m.-7:45 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Saturday at the San Antonio Police Academy, 12200 S.E. Loop 410. Casey Alcala

News

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Oct. 4, 2013 • 3

Center offers 22 degrees from four universities

By Kathya Anguiano sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Radio-television-broadcasting Professor John Onderdonk asked for a show of hands of anyone besides himself who was receiving quarantined email at the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday. Other senators said email sent from student accounts ended up in their junk folders. Hosanna Diaz

Faculty Senate sees difficulty in district textbook agreements Older text editions could be an option to save students money, counselor suggests.

students so much money,” Vela said.

This college has already standardized textbooks for courses taught here.

Discipline teams have representatives

By Emily Rodriguez from all the colleges and have been responerodriguez734@alamo.edu sible for standardizing course descriptions, The Faculty Senate discussed a proprerequisites and basic skill requirements. posed plan to adopt a single textbook per The teams also standardized requirecourse districtwide and debated a course ments for degrees and agreed on courses of action Wednesday in the visual arts for a common core curriculum. center.

English Chair Mike Burton said this The district has proposed setting college offers 734 unique courses; about guidelines to standardize textbook usage 100 of those are taught only at this colthat would allow instructors to require lege. only one textbook per course.

Textbooks for the 600 remaining District officials want the plan in place courses will have to be debated among by fall 2014; textbooks for the members of discipline the fall need to be selected teams across the colleges.

Read about

by April 15.

Each college will have campus Wi-Fi Discipline teams repone vote per course regarddeficiencies resenting subject areas less of the size or student and other among the five Alamo population of each campus, Faculty Senate Colleges will have to work he said. discussions at together to decide which Lisa Black, Faculty theranger.org. book to require for each Senate secretary and councourse. selor, asked if the colleges Dr. Robert Vela, vice could require older editions president for student and academic sucof books to save students money. cess, said in an interview Thursday that “I’m all for an old edition,” she said. each course is restricted to one main text“My students paid a dollar for an edition book although requiring supplemental that was one (edition) old last semester. texts is acceptable.

I like the old books better than the new “Supplements are perfectly fine, within ones.” reason, that are able to help supplement Black volunteered to conduct research or augment the instruction,” he said. on using older editions of textbooks.

“We’re fine with supplemental, but at History Professor Thomas Settles said a certain cap, so it doesn’t end up costing the agreement could cause textbook pub-

study

Study groups share ideas

By Justin Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Taking tests can be stressful, but there are a number of ways to prepare and relax instead of freaking out.

The student learning and assistance center is available for students who need to catch up on homework, prepare for a test or just study with other students.

While preparing for a test, premed sophomore Eric Kumana said, “taking your time to review and not rushing,” is a good practice. Sharing ideas with a group during a study session is a good way to learn as well, Kumana said.

Doing this allows students to pick up information that others might have learned or read.

Some students may explain more than the teacher sometimes, but checking with the teacher is always a good idea, Kumana said.

Injury, accidental death policy automatic, but no illness benefits for most students

living

lishers to increase the cost of the required textbooks.

“Competition is the cornerstone and trademark of our economic system,” he said.

“If you have one textbook provided by one publisher and there’s no competition, they could jack the price through the roof,” Settles continued. “Students are going to get screwed over in the end. It doesn’t work for the students, and it certainly doesn’t work for us.”

Fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt advised senators that if they liked the textbook they are currently using to begin speaking with their cohorts at the other colleges.

Many senators asked what would be the consequences if they and the other colleges refused to participate.

“I wondered what would happen if we didn’t play the game,” psychology Chair Tom Billimek said.

“District would make the choice,” he continued. “All that SACS is concerned about is that faculty have the opportunity to contribute. Whether district listens to those contributions is optional.”

Hunt said he had heard from colleagues at Northeast Lakeview and St. Philip’s colleges that they have decided not to participate in working to select common textbooks.

English Professor Dawn ElmoreMcCrary, Faculty Senate chair at this college, was charged by the senate to contact her counterparts at the other colleges to see how they will handle the agreement.

Time management and review should be the focus when preparing for a test.

Architecture sophomore Ariadna Camarillo said she spends an average of three hours studying for each class when preparing for a test.

Camarillo also adds group study and teamwork is an effective way to study. Getting a good night sleep and eating a good breakfast are also important, she said.

During finals week she makes flash cards, especially for multiple-choice tests, “to help get familiar with terms and dates.”

Camarillo gets to campus early to study and review with classmates in preparation for tests.

According to testtakingtips. com, eight hours of sleep is recommended before a test.

Eating before taking a test will help with energy and focus, but heavy food can cause grogginess.

The Alamo University Center, on Pat Booker Road east of Interstate 35 and Loop 1604, is four universities in one.

The center offers courses to complete 22 bachelor’s and master’s programs in arts and sciences. The Alamo University Center offers junior, senior and graduate-level classes through partnerships with four universities.

“Students who enroll with one of our partner universities are able to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree or teaching certificate at the Alamo Colleges-University Center without traveling to the university campuses,” said Rachell Martinez, administrative assistant for the district’s economic and workforce development division. “It’s a starthere, finish-here kind of thing.”

University Center, opened in fall 2010, partners with Texas State University, University of the Incarnate Word, Wayland Baptist University and Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Martinez said because San Antonio is so big, the center houses universities’ program so students entrenched in work and family life have local options.“Since it is for students or adults who came back to get their B.A. or M.A., I guess our motto would be ‘finish what you started.’”

Among programs in the highest demand industries offered on site are Christian ministry, business administration, professional counselor, education, human services, management, nursing, religion and criminology.

The application process is the same as applying to the universities.

Students must meet university prerequisites and speak to an adviser of the college at the center or on the campus.

“I’ve been working with Texas A&M-San Antonio here at the center for a year to outreach and recruit students who have questions about TAMU-SA, and I believe it’s a fabulous center,” said student affairs adviser Reynaldo Valdez. “It’s nice to be there from the beginning and watch the process grow.”

Some universities have reduced tuition rates for returning adult programs. Financial aid requirements apply.

Abigail Burkett, administrative assistant for Wayland Baptist’s School of Nursing, said, “We currently have 350 online and traditional students enrolled in our nursing program. They get to work in our simulation lab and our skills lab here at the center, which helps students get clinicals once they graduate.”

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board estimates multi-institution teaching centers around the state, such as University Center, serve about 15,500 undergraduate students and 5,900 graduate students under a formal agreement between two or more public institutions of higher education.

For more information, call Martinez at 210-486-5030.

By Lorena R. Rivera sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Alamo Colleges offers three free insurance plans for students through First Health Network. Plan 1 is mandatory student injury coverage. All students are automatically enrolled at registration for $25,000 maximum benefit and $5,000 accidental death benefit. Illness is not covered.

Plan 3 covers injury and sickness and automatically enrolls students in an F-1 international visa for $500,000 maximum benefit and a $10,000 accidental death benefit through Academic Emergency Services. It provides benefits and access to emergency assistance when students travel 100 miles or more from home for school.

Dependents are not eligible on this plan, but it is available to students who are required by their coursework to have medical coverage, such as nursing or mortuary science majors.

Students requiring coverage must

enroll online at www.ahpcare.com/ alamo. Plan 3 is only mandatory for international students on an F-1 visa.

Educational support specialist Erika Peña said it’s important for students to understand the options. She added the mandatory Plan 1 option does not fulfill the requirements of the Affordable Health Care Act that went into effect Tuesday.

Plan 3 does meet the requirements, but those who are not international F-1 visa students have to pay extra and enroll separately.

“It is important for students to come by the health promotions office if they have any questions regarding their health care options when enrolled,” Peña said. The office is in Room 150 of Loftin Student Center.

The third option is Plan 4, an injury plan for students enrolled in continuing education courses that only covers accidents occurring during class or when participating in a class-related

or class-sponsored activity on or off campus.

Insurance coverage is not available to students using employee tuition assistance or employee dependent tuition assistance. Students 65 years of age and older, enrolled in distance learning, on active military duty and dual credit students at off-campus locations are also excluded.

So in short, health insurance Plans 4 and 1 cover only student injuries.

Plan 3 covers injury and sickness.

Some of the benefits include inpatient hospitalization, outpatient doctor’s visits, surgery and emergency care. Other benefits, such as laboratory charges and X-rays, are included, but certain limitations and maximums may apply.

Coverage period for this semester started Aug. 26 and ends Jan. 20.

For more information, go to www. ahpcare.com/alamo or call Erika Peña at 210-486-0158.

News Auld lang syne: In memory of campus memorials 4 • Oct. 4, 2013

By Emily Rodriguez

erodriguez734@alamo.edu

Throughout campus, students can find memorials to important people throughout college history, although not all of them withstood the test of time.

Bailey’s Cyber Café was created in September 2001 to honor English Professor Roger Bailey who died that year. He was a former English chair and later became a webmaster. The café, a Mac lab for leisure use, was set up inside the student learning assistance center on the seventh floor of Moody Learning Center, but later moved to the second floor of Loftin Student Center.

Richard Farias, director of student life, said the café in Loftin was removed as part of a move to centralize technology on campus. Farias said he considered keeping the café open, but it would cost $25,000 to replace the 5-yearold computers.

A new mega lab on the fifth floor of Moody Learning Center has a Mac computer room for student use so Farias decided against updating the space in Loftin.

Students have noticed the absence of the café.

“A few students say that they’ve missed it. We haven’t

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had any complaints. We’ve just had a few students say ‘yeah, it was nice when it was there,’ but when they find out there’s a mega lab they’re OK with that,” Farias said.

He met with Bailey’s widow, English Professor Irma Ned Bailey, President Robert Zeigler and Vice President Robert Vela to discuss moving the cyber café to the second floor of Moody.

“The biggest concern that we had about the cyber café was that it was named after Professor Roger Bailey and that he, especially for me coming from an English background, it was really important to me.

We want to continue honoring that relationship and that memorial,” Farias said.

Irma Ned Bailey said she is glad that her husband is memorialized on this campus. “I think it is a great idea because Roger was a very important person for the school and he did so much for it,” she said. “He was a wonderful teacher, the smartest man that I ever met and a magnificent human being.”

The Balditt Counseling Complex on the first floor of Moody was dedicated to Dr. Juan Balditt, who died in 1997. He was a counselor at St. Philip’s and this college. He

!

The city celebrates his work with the John Igo Branch Library at 13330 Kyle Seale Parkway designed to honor regional Texas architecture. See it during the John Igo Book Sale 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.

Sunday. Visit mysapl.org.

A memorial bench dedicated to the late Raul Murguia sits outside Gonzales where he taught. Monica Lamadrid was active in the community and served as president of the San Antonio chapter of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education.

Counselor Rosa Maria Gonzales said, “It’s important to remember people who came before us and were dedicated to helping students. He always gave his heart and had a lot of passion. He inspired a lot of us as counselors and reminded us why we’re here — to help students.”

Counselor David Rodriguez said that before the first floor renovation to Moody, Balditt’s portrait and a sign that stated the complex was named after him was on display. “All of that got taken down because of the renovation and as of right

Card reader launch today gives door control to police

By Katherine Garcia kgarcia203@alamo.edu

Starting today, all external doors of this campus are expected to be locked and unlocked through a controlled access system operated by police dispatch at district offices at 201 W. Sheridan.

Card readers have been installed at each exterior door on campus, so staff accessing the buildings after operating hours will have to use an identification card on a card reader.

Buildings will remain unlocked during office and class hours. District police Chief Don Adams said closing times may vary, but all should be closed by 10:30 p.m.

New construction and renovations in the 2005 capital improvements program were outfitted with card readers. The renovated chemistry and geology building reopened in fall 2010 with card readers also on internal doors, but because employees were constantly required to open classroom and lab doors for students, magnets were placed on the striking plates to prevent them from locking.

Geography Professor Dean Lambert said they have been waiting three years for the problem to be resolved. He also said the readers don’t work when there is a power outage.

Adams said while the dispatch office controls access, David Mrizek, vice president of college services, authorizes opening and closing times. “Any requests for opening and closings have to go through and be approved

by Mr. Mrizek’s office,” Adams said.

Mrizek was unavailable for comment because he is out of town through Saturday.

Bill Boyd, security technician for Fairway Supply, working to install a card reader Wednesday explained the control district police will have. “They can lock it down, unlock it at night, just by the click of a computer key,” Boyd said. “If there’s a shooter on campus, they can lock campus down.”

now there is nothing with his name or image in the counseling center. It is not something that has been discussed as far as if the center is going to be rededicated with a different name or if it is still the Juan Balditt Counseling Center.”

Other memorials throughout the campus include the Murguia Learning Institute, named after English Professor Raul S. Murguia, who died in 1999.

Dr. Johnnie Rosenauer, previous director of the institute, said the institute was created in 2005 as part of the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan.

“He was a very educated and very gentile scholar. He could have gone anywhere, but he wanted to work with a commu-

rstephens20@alamo.edu

In the event of a lost key card, the dispatch office should be notified so the card can be deactivated, Adams said.

Mechanical locks were replaced during card reader installation, requiring new keys.

Replacements may be necessary for emergency situations, such as, Boyd said, during a power outage.

Palo Alto, Northwest Vista and Northeast Lakeview colleges and University Center on Pat Booker Road have external card readers. St. Philip’s College remains to be equipped. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, said the districtwide project cost $3 million.

Employees can apply for an ID card at http://www.alamo.edu/district/police/forms/ and notifying the department head, who will forward the request to Mrizek. Students are not eligible for cards, Adams said.

copy of their video along with his critique.”

The center was rededicated to memorialize him as well as Strain Sept. 6. Inside, a picture of both Stain and Skinner hangs as well as a plaque listing the names of students who have received a scholarship named in Strain’s honor.

Room 100 of Gonzales Hall was dedicated July 1994 as the John Igo Lounge, honoring a “rock star” of the college. He taught here 41 years. Professor Emeritus John Igo published 12 books of poetry and several books on prose and, in 1985, was awarded an Emmy for his script “Our Children: the Next Generation.”

“He was an outstanding professor, a local boy who grew up on the north part of town,” Jane Focht-Hansen, English professor and Igo’s former student, said. “Those of us who had him as a professor or a colleague learned a great deal from his knowledge and also his whimsy.”

District recycling contract expiring

By Riley Stephens

Installation manager Randy Tereau of Fairway Supply Inc. changes the locks on an exterior door Tuesday on the second floor east entrance to Gonzales. Michael Peters

nity college,” Rosenauer said.

Inside the institute, there is no physical memorial to Murguia, but a marble bench between Gonzales and McCreless halls is dedicated to Murguia.

The Strain and Skinner Communication Center in McAllister Fine Arts Center was named to honor speech communication Professors Barbara Strain and John Skinner.

The center was named for Strain in August 2007 for creating Video Voice Lab to assist international students with English pronunciation.

Fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt said, “She was very studentfocused and built a program within the department that focused on international students that worked with them on pronunciation.”

Hunt said Skinner was first here to teach speech online and was incredibly dedicated to teaching. “He would record every speech on camera and personally mail each student a

The Alamo Colleges have a 30-day contract with Waste Management Inc. for all recycling.

The district is following a 2009 proposal from Greenstar Recycling, LLC before Waste Management Inc. purchased it in February. The contract with Greenstar Recycling, LLC was for Sept. 1, 2012-Aug. 31.

“The contractor that all of the Alamo Colleges use is Greenstar,” said Gary O’ Bar director of purchasing and contract administration.

“We’re extending this agreement on a month-tomonth basis,” he said.

O’ Bar said the purchasing office should have a new proposal ready within 30 days.

He said the district wants to keep the current recycling services. “We have to do this because our current contract is on the edge of termination,” O’ Bar said.

“As a matter of fact we’re in the process of doing it right now,” he said.

“We started going to the month-to-month (basis) in

September of this year when we noticed that the current contract had reached its limit,” O’ Bar said.

The district had a contract with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., which ended in April 2009, and only recycled paper and did not take plastic, glass or aluminum cans.

He said the contract ended because the colleges wanted to get a better recycling program.

“We are doing a singlestream recycling system, paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum,” said John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities.

All of the Alamo Colleges follow the contract with Waste Management Inc. and all but Palo Alto College has a trash compactor on campus.

He said Palo Alto has to keep recycling material separated because they don’t have a compactor. The colleges have to create a space for the compactor to fit.

“The selection of the site and the construction to build it takes time,” Strybos said.

“They should be getting one in the next couple of months.”

Recycle these items in the bins around campus: Aluminum beverage cans Paper including cardboard, chipboard, food boxes, cereal boxes, phonebooks, newspaper, magazines, junk mail & office waste paper Clean steel food containers Plastic containers No. 1-7 bottles for soda, milk, juice, water & other clean containers Glass, amber, green & clear Do not place these items in the bins: Food or bathroom waste Styrofoam

News

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Oct. 4, 2013 • 5

DSS replaces most human note-takers with technology Work-study budget cuts force an alternative way to assist disabled students with class notes.

By Michael Peters

mpeters28@alamo.edu

In years past, note-takers were available through disability support services to assist students who need help taking notes in their classes.

DSS hired note-takers as part-time workers to take notes for students eligible to receive the service, student services assistant Delia De Luna said.

Now creativity and technology have replaced them.

As the college has reduced the number of temporary workers because of budget cuts in the last few years, note-takers took the brunt of

ACCESS from Page 1 the elevator on the walkway outside the building have not been made.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, said the elevator broke at 4:30 a.m. on May 26 because the system was underwater after flooding during Memorial Day weekend.

Kone Elevators, the company that repairs the elevators, came to look at the elevators soon after they were broken.

A sign saying “Preventative Maintenance” provided by the company was placed over the elevator buttons.

The McCreless elevator was under preventive maintenance when classes started Aug. 26.

The Shivelys called President Robert Zeigler’s office during the first week of classes, and the vice president of college services, David Mrizek, met with construction workers later that week.

He said ramps would be built near McAllister, but where and when was not determined.

Sherrie Shively said another difficulty is students occupying working elevators although a sign next to the elevator states its use is for faculty, staff and the disabled.

“You shouldn’t have to fight to get to class,” she said.

cuts in the DSS workforce.

With the reduction of note-takers, DSS has had to find creative ways to help students while students have taken the initiative in finding technology to help them assemble notes from class.

“We can’t do everything for them, but we do what we can,” De Luna said.

One way in which DSS continues to help students is finding students willing to volunteer to take notes in individual classes for a classmate with a disability.

De Luna says classmates have been accommodating.

“In all these years, there have only been one or two times I haven’t been able to find a classmate to take notes and at that point the instructor says ‘let me see what I can do,’” De Luna said.

“They don’t realize that when people can’t get in the elevators because they’re disabled, they’re late for class,” Charlie Shively said.

Mona Aldana-Ramirez, director of retention support services, said disabled student services Counselor Sara Samano requested student ambassadors monitor the second floor of Moody Learning Center during the summer.

Since the summer, one to two students have been ensuring able-bodied students don’t crowd the elevators.

There are no plans to place ambassadors at other elevator locations unless requested, Ramirez said.

The Shivelys brought up the sidewalk and ramp issue to Delia De Luna, student services assistant for disability support services.

The ramp with cracks on the east side of Moody has been fixed, but Sherrie Shively requested that a cover be installed above the ramp because it gets slippery in the rain.

She encouraged students to talk to DSS or Mrizek if future problems arise.

“Your voice does matter,” she said.

“Your problems are being addressed.”

De Luna may be reached at 210486-0022. Mrizek may be reached at 210-486-0937.

De Luna does what she can to accommodate volunteer note-takers, such as providing carbon paper to make it easier to produce a copy.

She said students have been finding creative ways to take notes in their classes.

“Anyone can record so our students have been doing that and using iPads to take pictures of board notes,” De Luna said.

Students often pick up on new technology.

“It’s amazing what they bring to our attention,” she said.

One such piece of technology is Livescribe’s Smartpen.

De Luna says she heard about the smart pen through a DSS student.

“We learn from them as well,” she said.

Smart pens record everything the student writes down or hears. The device can record

Terrence Jones, assistant technology specialist, works Sept. 17 on post-graduate studies for classes at UTSA in Room 147 of Moody, a new testing center for disability support services. Ian Flores

DSS makes education possible for students with challenges

By Justin Rodriguez sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Elevator inspection between Gonzales and McCreless is outdated Wednesday. Riley Stephens

Elevators, doors need fixing

By Riley Stephens

rstephens20@student.alamo.edu

Twenty-six elevators on this campus have certificates of inspection dated June 2012-13.

Facilities superintendent David Ortega said the elevators were inspected in May and new certificates have not been posted because he received the them Sept. 5. “There’s a delay in the system.” he said.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities, said in an email that the total maintenance for elevators is $162,693.12 per year.

One of two elevators on the second floor crosswalk between McCreless and Gonzales halls is out of order while the other is working.

The elevator closest to McCreless has a sign reading “preventive maintenance back in service soon.”

A set of 9-foot doors in Chance Academic Center have a sign reading, “use other door”. Ortega said, the 9-foot doors that stand there now, are inoperable from overuse. “The building is over 20 years old.”

Ortega said the doors should be replaced within the next two months, and most of the doors in the building have been replaced already.

He said the funds are coming out of the maintenance budget. “I think they were, like, $5,000,” Ortega said.

Strybos said the total amount for preventive maintenance is $12.5 million collegewide.

while the student writes down the notes they are hearing from the instructor. The recorded notes and audio are automatically sent to the student’s online Evernote account for access.

Students can then have the notes read back to them.

When there are no volunteer note-takers available, DSS collaborates with professors and department chairs to help the students.

“Instructors have been very accommodating with providing materials,” De Luna said.

Professors are asked to provide class notes and PowerPoint presentations for students.

De Luna says that DSS students are encouraged to take advantage of the computer labs, professors and all the technology available to help them.

For more information, call DSS at 210-4860020.

Disability support services are there for the students when it matters most.

The services allow students with disabilities to seek help with class assignments, notes, and testtaking among other services.

Delia De Luna, a student services assistant for more than 20 years, said, “We focus on their ability, not their disability.”

Some of the services include note-taking and extended test-taking time. “[The services] get us motivated to do something and help to figure out what the class is doing,” sociology sophomore Sara Gabel said.

Available in the DSS computer lab are adaptive software programs to help students better comprehend class material.

One such service is Kurzweil, a software program that scans documents and is able to read them back to the student. Other programs include JAWS, which reads text to blind students, and ZoomText, which magnifies text more than 10 times the normal size to ease reading on computer screens.

“Sometimes, the students need that little extra something, and that’s what we’re here for,” De Luna said.

However, accessibility to the center has sometimes been a struggle because of the limited physical entrance and exit access. Although issues such as these might be present, De Luna said, “We make it work.”

This is a step in the direction of virtual accessibility, but Gabel expressed a different point of view.

Gabel is not just a student but also an assistant at DSS. She frequently visits the lab outside of her work hours to use the computers for classwork, and says it is more accessible than in the past and easier to use

based on the technology available.

She said it’s sometimes easier to use Kurzweil and tell it to “read this.”

She believes more people would use online class notes if they were available. She said that DSS wants students to “go to school and finish.”

Currently, one limitation of the resources are notes online not being up to date. Gabel said, “It’s difficult to use the same notes every year because things change.”

She said because of campuswide budget cuts, there is not as much help available as there has been in the past.

“People think we’re not really that necessary … nobody expects students with disabilities to pursue education,” Gabel said.

De Luna and Gabel share suggestions for improvements. Gabel also urges students to maximize resources the center offers.

De Luna has noted that more student assistants, test center monitors and lab assistants would benefit from the program.

One option this college is considering is the installation of adaptive software at computer labs in Moody Learning Center. Students would be able to visit these labs and not just the support center lab.

“Just because they have a disability does not mean you can’t answer their question, so you have to] be understanding and patient,” De Luna said.

DSS is on the first floor of Moody next to the advising desk.

Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday. The center is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m the first Saturday of each month.

Testing hours are 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call DSS at 210-486-0020.

Prem

6 • www.theranger.org/premiere

Above: Esther Morales Liedecke teaches tortilla-making in Cooking with Mama Sept. 27, 2007. File Left: Moreno enjoys the unveiling of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame July 20, 1995, on Hollywood Boulevard. AccuNet/AP

Rita Moreno wraps heritage days

By T. L. Hupfer

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Hispanic Heritage Month Sept.

15-Oct. 15 gives people a reason to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans in government, athletics and military.

Many have made strides in literature, science and medicine, music and film.

Others have become civil rights leaders and national political figures.

Rita Moreno, the only Hispanic to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony, will lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Best known for her role in “West Side Story,” Moreno has been the Hollywood face of Hispanic heritage

for decades.

In 1961, she was won an Oscar for her role in “West Side Story,” a modern take on the Romeo and Juliet story. A free screening is 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the auditorium of McAllister.

In other campus events, SACtacular, a block party is 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. today in the mall. This event is free and open to the public.

The OnStage Drama Club will be hosting “Bocón” at 10 a.m.

Wednesday and at 7 p.m. Thursday in the theater in McCreless Hall. The performance is directed by theater Instructor Paula Rodriguez.

Ester Morales-Liedecke will share the art of tortilla making at noon Wednesday in Cooking with Mama in the craft room of Loftin.

Hispanic pioneers In 1822, Joseph Marion Hernandez became the first Hispanic American to become a member of Congress.

The first Hispanic American NFL player was Ignacio “Lou” Molinet in 1927.

In 1952, Desi Arnaz, “I love Lucy’s” Ricky Ricardo, was the first Hispanic American to star in a network television show.

Richie Valens was the first Hispanic American rock ’n’ roll star, appearing in 1958.

In 1961, Rita Moreno was the first Hispanic American to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

The first Nobel Prize in physics to go to a Hispanic American was awarded to Luiz Walter Alvarez in 1968.

In 1986, Franklin Chang-Diaz became the first Hispanic American astronaut.

District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal explains how his Hispanic heritage has helped him to empathize with the community during a presentation Sept. 18 in chemistry and geology. Monica Lamadrid

City Councilman tries to connect District 1 councilman plans a walking trail in San Pedro park.

By Henry M. Martinez Jr. sac-ranger@alamo.edu

District 1 city Councilman Diego M. Bernal stays connected to the people of his district, he said Sept. 18 in a presentation during Hispanic Heritage Month.

As part of an ongoing plan to connect to the community, Bernal has “Coffee with the Councilman” sessions.

“Coffee with the Councilman” is like town hall meetings but instead staged in smaller venues within the district to talk about the community.

Along with these talks, Bernal also keeps in contact with the community by occa-

sionally riding the bus.

“Growing up, I was really, really poor. Now I’m just really poor,” Bernal said.

Bernal grew up in District 1, which surrounds this college, and upon becoming a first-time homeowner he purchased a house near the home where he and his mother first lived when he was a child.

Bernal says he is commit-

ted to helping forgotten areas of town.

Although Bernal has a connection to District 1, he said once people get to know someone politically, the background becomes less important and actual work, more important.

Bernal said that city government cannot fix everything, but they can try. “We do promise our very best effort,” Bernal said.

One of these efforts includes a plan to start in 2014 a walking trail in San Pedro Springs Park.

The trail is projected to be finished in 2015.

Bernal said that his work is “boring” and not as glamorous as some might think.

Bernal aims to fix problems affecting everyday life, like a pothole in the street. That may not be exciting but is important

to the people affected by it.

“This job is a way to help people,” Bernal said.

At the conclusion of the talk, students were treated to taquitos with salsa and guacamole.

For more information about Bernal, visit http://www.sanantonio.gov/Council/d1.aspx. For more Hispanic Heritage Month events on campus, visit http:// www.alamo.edu/sac/hhm13/.

miere

Oct. 4, 2013 • 7

Glossary

Equality observed locally, globally

Common sexual orientation terms explained

Ally Androgynous Bicurious Closeted Coming ed

A person, usually heterosexual, who supports non-heterosexual people.

A person who is curious about having a same-sex sexual experience.

out

Keeping sexual orientation a secret.

By Priscilla Galarza

The process of revealing sexual orientation or making one’s sexuality known.

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

When a person’s sexual orientation or gender expression is involuntarily made public.

Cross-dressing

A person who wears clothing intended for the opposite gender.

FtM Gender Identity A transgender person who is transitioning from female to male.

A person’s sense of gender; can be the same as one’s birth gender or the opposite.

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender

Acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender A woman who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to other women.

A general term referring to all homosexuals, but in practice usually a man, who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to other men.

A person who feels sexual and/or emotional attraction to either gender.

MtF Bi Homo Trans Queer Questioning Sexuality A Hetero Homo Inter

A transgender person who is transitioning from male to female.

phobia A person who has hatred or fear toward bisexual people.

A person who has hatred or fear toward non-heterosexual people.

A person who has hatred or fear toward any transgender or transsexual person.

An umbrella term usually used to describe LGBT people.

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

It has been 25 years since the first National Coming Out Day, and this college is getting ready to celebrate with a week of debate and fun.

Friday Fair: National Coming Out Day kicks off with a community fair in the mall.

Oct. 14 Movie: The Coming Out Committee will be screening “The Celluloid Closet” and “Stonewall Uprising” 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building.

Oct 15 Discussion: Panel discussion of the city’s non-discrimination ordinance and LGBT policies with state Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Councilwoman Shirley

The process of figuring out one’s sexual orientation.

The exploration of sexual acts, orientation, desire and pleasure.

A person who does not feel sexual attraction to others.

A person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to the opposite sex.

A person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to the same sex.

A person who is born with female and male physical characteristics; formerly referred to as hermaphroditism, a term now considered derogatory.

"Natalie De Sayo" performs during a drag show hosted by Gay Ally Lesbian Association Oct. 10 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. File

Coming Out events support LGBT community

By T. L. Hupfer

An umbrella term used to describe a person whose gender expression or identity conflicts with birth gender.

sexual

On Oct 11, the nation and this college will recognize the day dedicated to the Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender community: National Coming Out Day. The celebration observes and brings to light the difficult process of “coming out.”

Coming out is a term for members of the LGBT community meaning to let their sexual preference be known to the public.

This college is planning events to contribute to the purpose of the holiday, to encourage students to be proud of who they are and to show they have the support of the community.

Mark Bigelow, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities in the office of student life, said of the college’s Coming Out Week, “This event has changed lives in a different way. It is purposeful in the sense that it sets in motion a new attitude and perspective on coming out.”

Although the concept of the LGBT community is slowly becoming more and more accepted, acceptance is not universal.

With a major event like Coming Out Week attracting attention at this college, there is a chance of negative attention.

Bigelow said he has been pleasantly surprised to see such a positive reaction from the community.

“It was encouraging how many straight allies showed up and participated,” he said.

This year’s festivities include a full week of events starting with National Coming Out Day Oct. 11 and a community fair offering education and support.

This annual event began in 1988 when psychologist Robert Eichberg and an openly gay politician, Jean O’Leary, declared Oct 11 as the National Coming Out Day because it marked the anniversary of the 1987 national march on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights.

This event has moved from being recognized nationally to global acceptance.

It is now being celebrated in at least nine other countries — including Australia, Canada, Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

A person who has male and female physical traits.

Gonzales 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m. in Room 218 of the nursing complex.

Discussion: Panel discussion with religious leaders Dr. Jane Grovijahn, professor of religious studies and theology at Our Lady of the Lake University; Rev. Mark Hinson of Metro Community Church; and Rabbi Elisa Koppel of Temple Beth-el 10:50 a.m.-noon in Room 218 of the nursing complex about the positive experience of being religious and gay.

Oct. 16 Game: Drag Bingo 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Craft Room of Loftin Student Center.

Oct. 17 Discussion: Panel discussion concerning the city’s non-discrimination ordinance and LGBT policies with members of the Pride Committee 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m. in Room 218 of the nursing complex.

Metro Pan Trans Sexual Orientation

A heterosexual man who spends a considerable amount of time and money on his appearance.

A person whose sexual behavior is all encompassing.

A person who has undergone gender reassignment surgery to the opposite of birth gender.

The gender preference of a person’s sexual and/or emotional desires.

Transitioning

A long process that involves changing name, appearance, speech, clothing and behavior to live as the opposite of birth gender; includes coming out and, for transsexuals, modifying personal, legal and medical records.

Transvestite

Lecture: Dr. Tom Clarkin will lecture on the history of gay rights in America 10:50 a.m.-noon in Room 218 of the nursing complex.

For more information, call Mark Bigelow at 210-486-0125.

A person who dresses in clothing of the opposite birth gender.

For more definitions visit: www.scarleteen.com, www.pflag.com www.glaad.org hrc.org, qsanantonio.com, advocate.com Sources: http //lgbtcenter.ucdavis.edu/lgbt-education/lgbtqia-glossary http //sait.usc.edu/lgbt/files/LGBT%20Terminology.pdf www.isna.org Compiled by Emily Rodriguez Infographic by Mandy Derfler

SAConnected

8 • Oct. 4, 2013

www.theranger.org/calendar

Chalk Day celebrates right to free speech The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and of the press.

AP reported that Sunday, authorities forced Sudan’s largest newspaper Al-Intibaha to stop printing.

Sudanese news outlets reported

By Patricia McGlamory photographers and cameramen pmcglamory@student.alamo.edu were barred from covering weeklong Imagine living in a country where protests, which began with fuel and authorities could forcibly stop the wheat subsidy cuts. Editors said they largest daily newspaper from printing. were ordered to describe protestors It happened this week in Sudan. as “saboteurs,” the AP reported.

The government Protesters say appears to be tryausterity measures ing to impose a affect the poor but Learn about media blackout, the leave a corrupt sysChalk it Up Associated Press tem where senior Oct. 12 at reported Saturday. officials grow theranger.org.

Media in the wealthy, the AP United States are reported. protected by the First Al-Intibah Amendment, guaranteeing freedom is the latest newspaper to stop of speech and of the press. publication after several dailies were Chalk Day at this college celpressured by authorities. Dia Al Din ebrates First Amendment rights Bilal, editor-in-chief of Al-Sudani during National Newspaper Week newspaper, told the AP, “The govSunday-Oct. 12 and is sponsored by ernment feels that its own existence The Ranger staff and this college’s is endangered and the press is playstudent chapter of the Society of ing a role in influencing public Professional Journalists. opinion ... they want papers to The college community is invitturn into official gazettes that ed to express themselves by writing reflect only (the government’s) messages or drawing with chalk on point of view with no other criticism the brick walkways in the mall from or negative feedback.” noon-2 p.m. south of Loftin Student Other affected media are satellite Center. The organizations will provide networks Al-Arabiya and Sky News the chalk and students, faculty and Arabia, along with several newspastaff provide the artistic expression. pers. Some stopped printing volunAll forms of expression are tarily to avoid government pressure. encouraged. The sponsoring orgaFor AP stories such as “Sudan nizations ask participants to confine police fire on funeral march, protesmessages to brick walkways in the tors say” and “Thousands protest as mall and to avoid the use profanity. Sudan officials promise cash,” visit (Yes, we recognize the irony. ) www.mysanantonio.com.

NLC Event: Leadership and Success Talk with Keven Bracy video broadcast “Chasing Greatness and Leading the Way” 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. in Room 201 of student commons. Call 210-486-5404.

Oct. 15 NLC Event: Leadership and Success video broadcast featuring “The Greatness in You” 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. in Room 201 of student commons. Call 210-486-5404.

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Event: Oktoberfest 5 p.m.-midnight at Beethoven Halle & Garten, 422 Pareida. $5 suggested donation.

Continues Saturday.

Visit www.beethovenmaennerchor.com.

Event: Manhattan Short Film Festival 8 p.m. at Urban-15 Studio, 2500 S. Presa. $10 and $5 military, students and seniors.

Continues Saturday.

Visit www.urban15.org.

Event: Presentation of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” at the Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg. $15 for students.

Continues through Nov. 3. Visit www.woodlawntheatre.org.

Event: “Blessings of our Beginnings” poetry, music and dance honoring the history of civilization in San Antonio with readings by poet laureate Carmen Tafolla at 7:05 p.m. San Pedro Springs Park. Call 210207-5951.

Event: Annual Conjunto Ta r d e a d a 6 p.m.-11 p.m. at Maverick Plaza, 418 Villita.

Showcase of the traditional accordion Mexican folk music. Call 210212-8560.

Sunday

Event: Kidney Action Day 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at AT&T Center. Free kidney health screenings, healthy cooking demos and healthy food samples and interactive fitness demos. Visit www. kidneyfund.org/kidneyaction-day/locations/ san-antonio.html.

SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0128.

SAC Volunteer: Museum display development and collection cataloguing 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in 003 of chemistry and geology.

Continues weekdays until Dec. 6. Call 210486-1215.

SAC Event: Transfer Fair 9 a.m.-noon in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0864.

NLC Event: Health and Wellness Fair 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the student commons opportunity mall. Blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, flu shots and more. Call 210-486-5404.

Oct. 17

First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Today Weekend Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SAC Event: Friday Ping Pong Tournament 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in game room of Loftin.

Continues Fridays. Call 210-486-0131.

Saturday

Reminder: Columbus Day and Día de la Raza observances.

SAC Event: Spa Day hosted by Psychology Club 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Massage station, paraffin waxing and ambient music. Call 210-486-0125 or email chernandez@alamo.edu.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University-San Antonio 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Room 107 of Moody.

Continues Tuesday and Friday. Call 210-4860864.

Oct. 14

SAC Transfer: University of Incarnate Word advising 9 a.m.noon in Room 107 of Moody. Call 210-4860864.

SAC Transfer: Texas Tech University advising 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 107 of Moody.

Call 210-486-0864.

SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club noon in Room 203 of Gonzales. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210486-0668.

SAC Event: Free HIV testing 11:30 a.m.2 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210486-0157.

ACCD Meetings: Four committees of Alamo Colleges board at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Killen, 201 W. Sheridan. To see agendas visit www.alamo. edu/district/board/ agenda/.

Event: Chess 6 p.m.– 7:45 p.m. at San Pedro Branch Library, 1315 San Pedro. Continues Tuesdays. Call 210207-9050 or visit www. mysapl.org.

Volunteer: Weed Wednesday at Hardberger Park 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Help pull weeds and plant native plants.

Continues Wednesdays.

Call 210-201-3292 or email wendy.leonard@ sanantonio.gov.

SAC Event: Flag Football 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at San Pedro Springs Park, 1415 San Pedro.

Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Forum: Co-sponsored by college president, Student Government Association and Staff Council 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Students, faculty and staff welcome to ask President Robert Zeigler anything. Email sac-pr@alamo.edu.

SAC Event: Bible study and lunch 1:15 p.m. in Methodist Student Center.

Continues Wednesdays.

Call 210-733-1441 or visit www.saumcm.org.

SAC Event: Jazz ensemble with Andrew Gignac 2 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister.

Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Rededication: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in second floor lobby of Moody. Call 210-4860880.

SAC Event: “Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave” 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in health promotions 0ffice in Room 150 of Loftin. Free coffee. Call 210-486-0158 Exhibit: CSI Experience at Witte Museum sponsored by Tesoro.

Visit www.wittemuseum.org

Event: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg.

Tickets starting at $35.

Continues through Nov. 2. Call 210-267-8388 or visit www.woodlawntheatre.org.

SAC Event: Wacky 3-D Photos 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Movie: “The Conjuring” 7:30 p.m. in the mall. Free for SAC students and staff with ID. $1 general admission. Call 210-4860125.

NVC Play: “Marisol” at Palmetto Theater.

Continues Oct. 18-19 and 24-26. For tickets or information call 210-486-4527, visit alamo.edu/nvc/pca, email nvc-palmettoevents@alamo.edu Oct. 18 Event: Noche Azul de Esperanza: Mujeres en la Canción at Esperanza Center 8 p.m., 922 San Pedro. $5 donation. Call 210-2280201 or visit www.esperanzacenter.org.

Oct. 26 SAC Event: Heart Walk 5K sponsored by the office of student life and the Wellness Committee 8:30 a.m. Call 210-486-0158 Event: San Antonio Founders Day to celebrate founding of San Antonio 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Alamo. Call 210-525-6905 or visit www.sanantoniofoundersday.org.

Oct. 31 Reminder: Halloween SAC Deadline: Submit photos of loved ones in uniform to be posted in Loftin display windows in honor of Veterans Day. Call 210-486-0128 or email chernandez@ alamo.edu.

Nov. 3 Reminder: End of daylight saving time. Set clocks back one hour.

Health: Run with a Mission 5k benefiting Hope for the Future, a Catholic schools scholarship program, funded by the Friends of Christus Santa Rosa Foundation. Starts at 7:30 a.m. Prices vary. Call 210-734-1907 or email julie. seguin@archsa.org. Register at www.hopeforfuture.org.

!

For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

www.theranger.org/editorial

Oct. 4, 2013 • 9

.org

the

ranger

Editorial

Editor Carlos Ferrand Managing Editor Emily Rodriguez News Editor Katherine Garcia Pulse Editor Michael Peters Opinion Editor Paula Christine Schuler Calendar Editor Katrina Dela Cruz Staff Writers Kathya Anguiano, M. J. Callahan, Priscilla Galarza, Christopher A. Hernandez, Cory D. Hill, T. L. Hupfer, Neven Jones, Jahna Lacey, Henry M. Hernandez Jr., Bleah B. Patterson, Cassandra M. Rodriguez, Justin Rodriguez, Lorena R. Rivera, Adriana Ruiz, Diana M. Sanchez Photo Editor Monica Lamadrid Photographers Casey Alcala, Daniel Arguelles, Raquel Estrada Photo Team Ana Victoria Cano, Daniel Carde, Celeste Christy, Robbin Cresswell, Hosanna Diaz, Ian Flores, Marina Garcia, Esmeralda Gonzales, Osita Omesiete, Kirsten Simpson, Marie Sullins Illustrator Alexandra Nelipa Production Manager Mandy Derfler Multimedia Editor Riley Stephens Advertising Manager Patricia McGlamory Circulation Manager Albert Zuniga Alexandra Nelipa

©2013 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210-486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org.

The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length.

Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, emailed to sac-ranger@alamo.edu or faxed to 210-486-9292.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number.

Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.

Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs.

Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office.

Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

MetaMedia

Photogs’ duty to public As photojournalists, it is tough at times to keep personal feelings about the events we cover to ourselves, but it is vital to reveal the images of an event to inform the public.

A photojournalist’s duty is to keep the public apprised of the doings of the government and business so they can make intelligent decisions.

Their job as observers is to document the news, not to prevent it or change it. Like an anthropologist who observes other cultures, photographers just look and record without disturbing what is going on.

Information can change public policy, laws or just prevent more accidents from happening, like taking a picture of a family in grief for the loss of a child. It can be painful for the family, but in the end, it can save lives by making parents more cautious.

Regardless of the circumstances or the person, the journalistic ethics standards share some basic principles: truthfulness, accuracy,

Want to be healthy or not?

On Sept. 23, this college hosted a forum to 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year. explain to students the Affordable Care Act, The Centers for Disease Control and also called Obamacare.

Prevention reported in 2010 that about 215,000 During the forum, a student asked why a people under the age of 20 have diabetes. young, healthy person should pay for health No one is immune to the need for health care they will not use. care.

Many young people may think Thinking that you will not get they will never get sick, but the sick or need medical attention Visit www. inevitable and unforeseen will because you’re young and healthy healthcare.gov happen; so when it does, students could be an expensive gamble. for information. need to be prepared.

Health care is not cheap, but Being prepared for an emer- The website was with the Affordable Care Act, peroverrun with gency is only half the battle. haps an individual policy will traffic Tuesday, Students should think of health actually be affordable. care in terms of preventive care Enrollment for the Affordable so be patient if and not just emergency coverage.

Care Act opened Tuesday and you can’t get in The benefit of yearly check-ups coverage could begin as soon as right away. goes far beyond preventing a comJanuary. mon cold.

Students should be proactive Many diseases can go undetected because in their health care and do some research to they do not have any extreme signs. find the most affordable program that works Early detection through normal check-ups for them. could make all the difference between life and Health care should be an important issue death. for even the young and healthy because youth According to the National Cancer Institute, fades, and sometimes, all you’re left with is about 70,000 Americans between the ages of your health.

Save us the time, funds A civil rights demonstrator is attacked by a police dog May 3, 1963 at Birmingham, Ala. Photographers must remain observers to accurately document the news. AccuNet/AP objectivity, fairness and accountability.

As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said to photographer Flip Schulke as he stopped Schulke from helping to rescue children from being beaten by cops: “The world doesn’t know this happened because you didn’t photograph it,” King said.

“I’m not being coldblooded about it, but it is so much more important for you to take a picture of us getting beaten up.”

Students have yet another parking-related headache — parking tickets.

Those who have not yet received a parking decal by mail and those who have not ordered a parking decal online through ACES risk finding a parking ticket adorning the windshield after class.

District police started issuing tickets Tuesday in student lots and Wednesday in faculty lots for vehicles parked illegally or without a parking permit affixed to the windshield.

All students paid a $25 campus access fee that entitles any student to a parking permit or a discounted bus pass.

Ticketing students for something we have already paid for is uncalled for.

District police Chief Don Adams said students can appeal tickets, at which time, police will verify a permit has been issued, mailed or ordered.

What a huge waste of time and energy for students and campus police.

Mailing the decals has cost the college nearly $8,000 so far.

An appeals process for students who are waiting on a decal will waste additional time and money.

This is the first semester students must register online for a parking permit.

And it wasn’t even an automatic prompt in the registration process; we had to find it on our own.

It is unfair to punish us for an inefficient, costly and cumbersome system.

Rule changes require increased communication, not silence.

How about a little common sense and patience?

Instead of starting with handing out tickets, police should leave warnings on vehicles in violation.

The warning notice could include the date ticketing is expected to begin and how to order a permit.

We already paid for it, remember?

Students are busy and short on funds — it cost us an extra $25 to register this fall.

Save us the hassle and expense of paying or appealing the ticket.

After a warning is issued, it is fair game to ticket cars that do not comply.

And if every student has already paid for “campus access,” why do we need a permit anyway?

News

10 • Oct. 4, 2013 HABITS from Page 1 at district convocation Aug. 19 that the district would stress leadership training for its about 65,000 students each year. The district’s 6,000 employees will be trained first.

The first 200 employees in attendance were given a copy of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

By having intellectual rights, the Alamo Colleges no longer needs to purchase materials directly from Covey or pay to use its facilitators, Hope Galvan, district director of organizational learning and employee development, said.

The idea to purchase the rights came from the desire to cut costs and personalize training materials, Galvan said.

“All the shipping and all the storage that I need to do to handle that much material doesn’t make sense or to keep paying for that every time you do a class,” she said.

Galvan estimated that a training book purchased directly from Covey could cost up to $80, but with the ability to print the materials, the cost would be closer to $30.

Workshops are 2 ½ days long and focus on making the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” a lifestyle and not just a seminar, Galvan said.

“It’s not just a workshop; it’s a cultural transformation,” she said “Dr. Leslie and our board of trustees believe that there is a leader in every seat,” Galvan said. “Everybody leads at the Alamo Colleges, not just the board or the presidents and vice chancellors. Every person leads.”

During an interview Thursday, Leslie said the goal is to have every employee and student of Alamo Colleges learn the program.

Employees must go through the program first so that they better understand how the

DISTRICT from Page 1

program works, Leslie said.

Leslie’s hope is that after every employee has completed the program, it will be rolled into the core curriculum for every student.

“We believe that students knowing these skills (Covey) will help them be more successful as students,” he said.

“The larger issue is that we graduate that student to be a successful employee.”

The program could be added to student development courses by next fall and would earn a student a certificate of completion that would appear on their transcript. This would be the first phase.

Currently, only students entering the college with fewer than 15 semester hours are required to take a student development course, and it is not a college-level course.

One reason Leslie selected the “7 habits” program is because it is so universally recognized by employers, he said.

required students to take two humanities classes. One was selected from about 40 options and one was literature.

In fall 2012, the revised core has two humanities requirements and both offer the same options, including English, humanities, foreign languages and philosophy.

Should the core be cut and fewer humanities credits be required, Burton said the need for literature classes would continue to decline

because students would rather take a class requiring less reading and writing.

Writing center Director Jane Focht-Hansen, English professor, said the drop in enrollment in literature classes has faculty “struggling to have enough classes to be full time” and predicts a continued drop if the core is cut and literature class enrollment continues to suffer.

Focht-Hansen believes literature classes will assist in advancing a student academically no matter their major.

www.theranger.org/news

“Our goal is for our students not only to understand the model but live it,” he said.

Darryl Nettles, associate director for student success at Northwest Vista College, is a strong supporter of the program and tries to live it daily.

“It’s common sense, simple things,” he said. “It’s something that everybody can do.”

Nettles said in his research of self-help programs, he finds the simple nature of the “7 habits” to be its strongest attribute.

Literature classes enhance reading, writing, and critical thinking abilities, she said.

“When we narrow the way people can expand their thinking, it says something awful about our culture.”

Focht-Hansen said. “Education is supposed to make you a better person.”

She said her courses at this college prepared her for upper-division work.

“What I did here at San Antonio College with the expanded core prepared me for the additional work I had to do at Trinity University. I was well-read enough to understand the

“The more complex a program is the more people will not engage,” Nettles said.

Nettles facilities a four-hour seminar for students using the “7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students” model.

Each semester, Nettles conducts at least one workshop a month. He started teaching the program in 2006.

Workshops are voluntary and open to all Alamo Colleges’ students.

Most students find the

professors.”

Burton said students need writingintensive classes.

“Students shortchange themselves when they don’t take writing-intensive classes” Burton said. “Eventually, all education comes to research and writing down that research.”

Psychology Chair Thomas Billimek has given suggestions on how to fit in the learning framework course.

“What I had suggested for that is in the associate of arts degree major, there is an opportunity for 18 hours.

One of those is a directed elective,” he

pus m a c e g e l Col o i n o t n A San

information worthwhile, he said.

District officials would like students to take the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” but first train every employee, Galvan said.

“We don’t believe that our students will succeed until our employees succeed,” she said.

“We want our students to go out to the workplace and be successful as leaders and go out to their homes and lead their families and their communities.”

The district conducts 22 workshops per semester and has trained 20 employees to facilitate the program.

District wants to train about 5,625 employees before the end of fiscal year 2014 Aug. 31. About 400-500 employees have been trained so far, Leslie said.

For more information on “7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students,” email Nettles at dnettles3@alamo.edu.

said. “What I had proposed is that we would include PSYC 1300, Learning Framework, as one of the possible directed electives.”

Billimek said he is fine with the implementation of PSYC 1300 as long as students receive college credit for it.

“Those directed electives have to be outside of the discipline,” he said.

“Although it is psychology, it wouldn’t be like, for example, taking one of our regular courses. I would be willing to accept that as an option because of the nature of the course.”

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www.theranger.org/pulse

Pulse

Oct. 4, 2013 • 11

Wellness program helps to balance work, school, family Fitness and sport opportunities abound on campus.

Training 1; or KINE 1338, Concepts of Fitness and Wellness. Classes start Oct. 21.

Students can join the college team, the

By M.J. Callahan San Antonio College Walkers, at 8 a.m. Oct. sac-ranger@alamo.edu 26 for the American Heart Association Heart Staying healthy while balancing school, Walk 5K at Nelson Wolff Stadium. work and family is difficult.

Donations are welcome. Proceeds go to The college wellness coordinator recomthe American Heart Association. mends exercise to relieve stress For more information, and maintain good health. email Dillon at cdillon@alamo.

“Get at least 30 minutes of edu.

See coverage moderate intensity exercise Last month, the Kinesiology of Síclovía at each day,” Chris Dillon, kineClub and the office of student theranger.org. siology adjunct, said Sept. 17. life raised about $100 and “Moderate intensity exersigned up more than 60 stucise can be anything from dents for their team, Dillon circuit training, to walking, said. swimming, cycling. We just want the student The Kinesiology Club’s sixth annual SAC moving. The research shows that the more a Boot Camp, a 5- and 10-mile run, is 8 a.m. student is active in their life the better they Nov. 2 at the Leon Creek Trailhead. Proceeds will do in the classroom.” go to benefit students.

Dillon found success when he was in colParticipants can sign up on active.com. lege through balancing. He suggested stuEntry fees include a dry fit T-shirt to keep and dents rank daily priorities and take care of a bib to use to check time as participants pass them one by one. checkpoints.

After completing everything each day, The community fee is $40 for the 10-mile exercise might be the last thing on a student’s and $30 for the 5-mile. Alamo Colleges and mind. military fees are $30 for the 10-mile and $25 “You’re always going to have those days,” for the 5-mile.

Dillon said, suggesting students work out Sarah Goff, a member of this college’s anyway for the satisfaction of achieving a women’s soccer team and English sophogoal. “Your best workout is when you are more, said, “I don’t feel motivated if I don’t tired.” exercise. Some days I opt to ride my bike Candler Physical Education Center offers versus driving to school.” open gym time 2:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday and She rides 5.5 miles to school, estimating Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday and around 11 miles round trip. “I try cycling Thursday.

Monday, Wednesday and Tuesday morning.”

The conditioning room is available 2 She joined the soccer team her first semesp.m-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday ter, practicing three times a week with games and 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. on Sunday, which keeps her active.

Open pool time has not been posted.

“It’s nice to have a team to work out with,” In Flex 2, students can still enroll in kinesiGoff said. Goff started playing soccer when ology courses such as KINE 1126, Racquetball she was 11.

1; KINE 1154, Swimming 1; KINE 1184, Weight She believes exercising not only helps the

body but the brain. Goff, knowing her workout commitments, scheduled her classes in consideration of her commitments.

Goff took an aquatic conditioning class to get her ready for her first triathlon during the summer hoping to build up to an Olympic distance soon.

Goff said it is ideal to take a fitness class or join a sports club on campus.

Liberal arts sophomore Harley Williams, president of the Psychology Club, exercises as a member of the Asian Pop Culture and Dance Society, which meets at 2 p.m. Fridays in the dance studio of Candler.

She also finds relaxation important.

“I set time aside at least once a week just to relax,” she said.

Scheduling helps keep stress levels down and helps her avoid getting overwhelmed, she said.

“No all nighters.”

Liberal arts sophomore Shannon Hladik finds

exercise difficult to squeeze into her schedule.

“It’s a challenge,” she said. “I work full time, go to school full time and get sleep when I can. The best thing I do is limit caffeine.”

“I want to be healthy so I do what I can. I don’t focus on the stress of everything and get what I can get done done.”

Working as a shift leader at the Dollar General store, Hladik said she is constantly on her feet lifting boxes and stocking shelves as trucks deliver merchandise.

Opportunities for working out on campus for students include the fitness center in Loftin Student Center.

It is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m.noon Friday.

Dillon suggests students find opportunities for exercise in the area at a website, active.com.

Active.com lists many of the local events and some sponsored by this college.

FUN FUN FUN JOB

OLD TIME PHOTO STUDIO Looking for outgoing, energetic people for general studio help.

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Call for interview 239-560-5389

Feature

12 • Oct. 4, 2013

www.theranger.org/news

Sonography freshman Bianca Garza and nursing sophomores Matilde Vela and Kandice Weighmann read the procedures for collecting dragonfly larvae properly Saturday in Beaver Pond inside Big Bend National Park.

Biology sophomore Alfredo Paul Llamas checks his net for dragonfly larvae. View a multimedia slide show at theranger.org

Research

in its

larval stages

Story and photos by Monica Lamadrid mlamadrid@student.alamo.edu

A field trip to Big Bend National Park disappoints and rewards students.

After a group photo on Sept. 27, seven excited students from this college traveled west to meet students at Sul Ross State University in Alpine for a biological adventure.

Biology Adjunct Holly Heckmann randomly selected seven students from a pool of 65 in a drawing Sept.

6 in the BioSpot to participate in the national citizen science project to collect dragonfly larvae.

Participants were nursing sophomores Kandice Weighmann, Matilde Vela, Jessie Fisher and Kira Amaya; sonography freshman Bianca Garza, physical therapy sophomore Jacob Westfall, liberal arts sophomore David Monsivais and biology sophomore Alfredo Paul Llamas.

Leslie Hopper, Adelante Tejas project director, invited Llamas.

Everyone was excited about the adventure. Most had never been in the park, and a few had never been camping, which made the trip both a project and a life experience.

After a couple of hours cramped in a van, Heckmann made the first stop at Cooper’s Barbeque near Junction.

“I can’t wait to stargaze,” Llamas said. “We will be able to see the Milky Way.” Although they were looking forward to the trip, the students didn’t forget about homework for other classes. Garza and Vela spent most

Students had to secure their shoes to prevent losing them in deep mud. of the five-hour drive studying for upcoming tests while Heckmann used the time to grade papers.

After a night in a Hampton Inn, the group headed to Sul Ross State University. At the school, quick introductions to the half dozen Sul Ross students were followed by Hopper’s equipment review.

“Shoes that have laces or any way to keep them on so when you are walking in the mud, they are not going to get stuck are important,” she said. “You won’t believe the adhesive properties of the mud.”

After a two-hour drive through rain to Big Bend National Park, they made it to Beaver Pond, the sampling location, where David Larson, park ranger and chief of science and range management, and Dr. Chris Ritzi, chair of Sul Ross’ biology, geology and physical sciences department, were waiting.

Larson explained collection procedures and Ritzi described characteristics of dragonfly larvae.

“We are looking for dragonflies because they have bigger abdomens, which means they can store more nutrients and possibly more mercury, which is why we are all here,” he explained.

After reading collection procedures to the group, Larson clarified, “We have to be really careful with the handling because we don’t want to contaminate the samples.”

Six students from this college in two canoes set out to collect samples. The rest waded into the 3-foot deep pond to collect larvae from the muddy edges.

Monsivais excitedly announced a find and students and Ritzi ran to see, but it was a false alarm. Ritzi identified it as a damselfly larvae, not dragonfly. The damselfly has a smaller abdomen.

Three hours in, the students had seen dragonflies but no one found a good larvae specimen. Larson decided to end the search and head back to the campsite. Ritzi speculated that rains had forced larvae deep into the pond’s mud or larvae in the area had already matured.

Students and professors were disappointed but were happy about the experience and the opportunity

David Larson, park ranger and chief of science and range management, talks with Dr. Chris Ritzi, chair of Sul Ross’ biology, geology and physical sciences department, about handling of dragonfly larvae to prevent contamination.

Sonography freshman Bianca Garza helps make camp by setting up a tent before sunset at Chisos Basin campground. to participate in a national project.

Larson assured everyone there will be another chance, and students are invited to participate again.

Though Larson did not have a date in mind,

planning must wait for the government shutdown that began Tuesday to end and the national park to reopen.

Later that night, the students pitched tents and Sul Ross students prepared a meal. Everyone gathered at the table to stargaze and talk about the trip.

After a quick early breakfast Sunday, everyone was ready for a

ghost town tour at Terlingua, ending at the cemetery where students parted company. During the drive back, students shared their trip experiences, especially the first-time canoers.

“Camping for the first time was really exciting,” Amaya said.

Vela added, “The whole experience was unique.”

Heckmann was grateful to be part of a national research project.

“Taking a bunch of city kids camping was my favorite part,” Heckmann said excitedly.

“I feel like a proud mom. This is a very rewarding, bonding experience.”

Nursing sophomore Jessie Fisher struggles to reach the edge of Beaver Pond searching for dragonfly larvae Saturday.