The Ranger -- April 3, 2009

RANGER THE

April 3, 2009

Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Community College District

Volume 83, Issue 20

Single copies free

A forum of free voices

Physical activity may be best cure Page 3

Safety tips for traveling abroad Page 2

Zeigler gets saucy with students Page 5

Job fair coming to Loftin Page 7

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

2 • April 3, 2009

Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@mail.accd.edu District 1: Dr. Bernard Weiner 929 Manor Drive, Ste. 7, San Antonio, TX 78228 Work: 735-9151 E-mail: bweinermd@satx.rr.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@mail.accd.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@mail.accd.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251 Phone: Not available E-mail: rzarate11@mail.accd.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way Helotes, TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Charles Conner 13306 Hunters Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78230 Home: 493-7176 Fax: 493-7909 E-mail: cconner8@mail.accd.edu District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@accd.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@mail.accd.edu

Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@mail.accd.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@mail.accd.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@mail.accd.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@mail.accd.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@mail.accd.edu

Online When you see this symbol, go to www.theranger.org for more info.

Scobee goes digital Library renovation in the works César Chavéz video

Studying abroad has inherent dangers National Geographic series brings awareness to potential threats.

By Michelle Franco Study abroad programs offer the chance to enrich their course subject while allowing the students to learn the culture and history of a foreign country while studying an academic subject.

Not every study abroad program will include a tear gas attack.

Dr. Denise Barkis Richter, professor of communications at Palo Alto College, encountered a teachers’ protest that escalated into government officials dropping tear gas on the groups of protesters in the study abroad trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, in June 2006.

Richter was teaching COMM 2311 and COMM 2315, News Reporting and Writing 1 and 2, while her colleague, Karen Marcotte, offered HUMA 1302, World Cultures and Global Issues.

Ten students enrolled in the fiveweek summer session.

The first two weeks were in San Antonio, followed by two weeks in Oaxaca, and the final week back in San Antonio.

The intent of the program was to compare this city’s poverty with that of Oaxaca’s.

The second day in Oaxaca students attended a lecture on the economics of that region, Oaxaca,

Guerrero and Chiapas.

“It is one of the poorest regions of Mexico,” Richter said in a phone interview March 30.

“There is no industry there.

Some coffee plants and some petroleum, but that’s it.”

The experience of those classes in Mexico highlights the need for students who study abroad to be aware of potential risks while visiting foreign countries.

This topic is explored in the new season of “Locked Up Abroad,” a National Geographic television series.

In a past episode of the series, Lia McCord, an 18-year-old lingerie model from Texas, is featured for being imprisoned in Bangladesh in 1992 for attempting to smuggle six pounds of heroin.

The law in Bangladesh is either life terms or the death sentence if found smuggling more than 25 grams of heroin.

The series airs at 9 p.m.

Wednesdays on the National Geographic channel.

Richter recalled her experience.

Teachers were gathered in the streets protesting their working conditions but were very peaceful, Richter said.

It wasn’t until the second day when a student knocked on her door to inform her that the Oaxacan police were dropping tear gas from helicopters on the teachers, that she realized she needed to alert the students and make sure they were all safe.

Blotter San Antonio College March 17 – An individual reported burglary of a vehicle in Lot 9.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of chemistry-geology. All found to be secure.

March 18 – Criminal trespass warning issued to nondistrict related individual in chemistrygeology.

An individual reported suspicious activity in chemistry-geology restrooms.

An individual reported a suspicious male in Moody. Male not located.

An individual reported an item left on a vending machine causing $20 to $200 damage.

March 19 – An individual reported $20 to $200 damage to a personal vehicle. No suspects were located.

An individual reported theft of personal property $50 to $500 in Moody. No suspects were located.

March 20 – An individual reported graffiti in the area of community education center.

March 21 – An individual reported two suspicious females in Lot 26. All found to be secure.

March 22 – An individual found to be in possession of marijuana in the gym, attempted to elude capture but police officers apprehended and detained the individual.

The group was moved to another hotel 10 blocks away, far from the commotion.

Jorge Adrian Gutierrez Martinez, the owner of the new hotel and the sub secretary of tourism for the state of Oaxaca, informed them of areas that were safe to enter and of local restaurants they could visit.

Martinez later advised them to go home, informing Richter that the conflict could escalate further.

“I never felt threatened,” Richter explained. We were so disappointed.”

Richter said she believed the safety of the students and of her husband and child, who also traveled with the students, were more important than staying.

Out of the two weeks planned in Oaxaca, the group was there for three days.

Seven out of 10 students were able to return on the rescheduled trip in March 2007.

Another study abroad summer program is scheduled in Cuernavaca, Mexico, May 31-June 27 from this college.

Students are able to study the Spanish language and earn up to eight semester hours in SPAN 1411, 1412 and 2311.

The intensive program blends a variety of language courses, cultural exposure and guided field trips.

When traveling abroad, safety precautions are taken.

Students have to be careful, Richter said. The main thing is to have all essential documents in a

Contact Information Emergency 222-0911 General DPS 485-0099 Weather Line 485-0189

pouch underneath your clothes.

On another study abroad trip for Richter, she said a student had left her purse hanging on the back of a chair while using a computer at a cyber café.

When she was ready to pay for her time on the Internet, she realized her purse had been stolen.

There was a little bit of money and lipstick in the purse, Richter said, emphasizing that her advice of keeping the essential documents and any other valuables underneath their clothes had saved the student from losing much more. ”We also never let students go to places by themselves,” she said.

Other safety precautions should be followed as well.

According to the Learning Abroad Center at the University of Minnesota, read and carefully consider all materials issued by the sponsor that relate to health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country.

Also, be aware of local conditions and customs that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions.

Become familiar with the procedures for obtaining emergency health and law enforcement services in the host country.

“I think it’s (study abroad) an essential part of education,” Richter said. ”It’s a change for the better.”

For information on the study abroad in Mexico, contact Professor Tammy Perez at 486-0979.

March 20 – An individual reported the theft of personal property. No suspects were located.

March 23 – An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 9. No suspects were located.

March 24 – An individual reported feeling ill in Sutton. EMS treated individual.

Southwest Campus March 20 – An individual reported a lost district key.

Northwest Vista College

An individual reported an individual inserting advertising fliers in school newspapers in Loftin without authorization.

March 17 – An individual reported feeling ill in Juniper. Campus nurse treated the individual.

An individual reported theft of food from the cafeteria. Prosecution declined.

An individual reported missing personal property in Juniper.

Palo Alto College

An individual reported a personal injury in Cypress.

March 17 – An individual reported graffiti in restroom of Ozuna.

An individual reported the theft of district property $500 to $1,500 in the gym.

March 20 – An individual reported graffiti on district property.

March 23 – An individual reported graffiti in Ozuna.

March 24 – An individual reported damage to personal vehicle in Lot 10.

St. Philip’s College March 17 – An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 14. No suspects were located.

March 18 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Lot 0. Male not located.

An individual reported a suspicious male and female in Redbud. Male and female not located.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

March 19 – An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 10.

An individual reported theft of district property in Cypress. $500 to $1,500. No suspects were located.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

March 20 – An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 6.

An individual reported a personal injury in McAllister. Medical treatment was refused.

An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 18. No suspects were located.

An individual reported lost vehicle keys in Lot 26.

An individual reported the theft of a personal vehicle in Lot 14. Vehicle recovered by SAPD.

March 23 – An individual reported a personal injury in workforce training center. Medical treatment refused.

An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 12. No suspects were located.

An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual was issued a citation for public intoxication in Lot 21.

An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 6. No suspects were located.

March 24 – Officer assisted SAPD with off-campus vehicle accident.

An individual reported two suspicious males in the area of chemistry-geology restrooms. One male was issued a criminal trespass warning.

March 18 – An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in Lot 21. No suspects were located.

Northeast Lakeview College

An individual reported $50 to $500 damage to personal vehicle in Lot 8. No suspects were located.

An individual reported feeling ill in campus center. EMS treated the individual.

March 23 – An individual reported a personal injury in Loftin. Campus nurse treated the individual.

An individual reported theft of $50 to $500 of personal property in the gym. No suspects were located.

March 19 – An individual reported feeling ill in Norris. Campus nurse treated individual.

March 17 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

March 21 – An individual reported damage to personal property. No suspects were located.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

April 3, 2009 • 3

Counselors available for personal problems, too Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Short-term help is available on campus and long-term care is by referral off campus.

By Jade Villarreal

Counselor Thomas C. Johnson said most students’ personal problems that affect academics involve money, family and relationships.

While counselors at this college primarily offer academic counseling, they refer students who need long-term help to local organizations and therapists in private practice.

“We have lots of places to refer students to,” Counselor Thomas C. Johnson said March 11. “We have connections with University Health System and with certain psychiatrists that charge on a sliding scale or take insurance.”

In the past, students have been referred to agencies and community centers that offer social services. These agencies offer help with alcohol and drug addiction, counseling for mental health or abuse victims, and family planning services.

Johnson was not able to give the number of students who have been referred. This college does not offer personal counseling because the counseling department focuses on academic issues and can only help students with personal issues short-term, he said.

Johnson said there are typically three main ing freshmen need more counseling, personal or reasons that lead students to seek help once peracademic, than others.” sonal problems begin to interfere with academics.

Johnson encourages students to take advanOf those three, he said the most prolific is usually tage of the resources this college has to offer. finances, followed by family issues that cause He said counselors will make time to give studepression or low self-esteem, and relationships dents a fresh perspective on their situation. with a significant other.

Students can see any counCounselors are able to selor; however, Johnson has talk with students on a a master’s degree in mental short-term basis before health and substance abuse, For more information on referring students to an outpersonal counseling, call the a doctoral degree in marside source. If the student riage and family therapy, Balditt Counseling Complex decides to take advantage and was in private practice at 486-0333 or visit the first for 12 years. He primarily of the reference, counselors floor of Moody. will check in and follow up treated patients who needed with the student. help with substance abuse, He also said that many spousal or relational issues, incoming freshmen have and workplace conflicts. trouble dealing with the newfound freedom of “Some students are totally unaware of their being a college student and the partying or experi- involvement in creating the mess and so what they mentation that is sometimes prominent during need to do is look at themselves and the part they this transition. play in that mess,” he said. “If those two things “Oftentimes, they step out of bounds,” he said. don’t work and students feel like they’re incapable “They feel so free that they start to do all sorts of fixing or helping their situation, then I’d advise of stuff. Those things get in the way of studying them to come see myself or other counselors here so school is not a priority for them. Celebrating to talk it over and see things from a different angle. that freedom normally takes precedence over aca- My philosophy is that just about everything is solvdemic progress. Most of the time, I see that incomable if you’re willing to solve it.”

Tyler Cleveland

Kinesiology Lecturer Angelina Jackson leads her kickboxing class through a demonstration at HealthFest in Candler Wednesday. Demonstrations included dance, cardio boot camp, indoor cycling, tai chi and self-defense.

Exercise recommended for stress relief at campus HealthFest

By Alice Gonzalez Physical activity can be a healthy way to deal with stress.

“Any time you work out, your brain works better and your body feels stronger,” kinesiology Instructor Dawn Brooks said.

She is the coordinator of the Wellness Team, which coordinates health and wellness activities at this college.

“I once had to teach a cardio combo class to teachers in which the initial

goal was weight loss,” she recalled.

“As time went by, my class grew, and soon it was impossible to miss a class. I soon figured out that weight loss wasn’t the prime factor any more. It had become a stress-reduction class.”

On Wednesday, the Wellness Team sponsored the annual HealthFest in Candler Physical Education Center to give students, faculty and staff tools to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Activities included demonstrations from kinesiology and dance classes in

cardio kickboxing, cardio boot camp, indoor cycling, tai chi, fencing, selfdefense and dance expressions.

The U.S. Army also provided a wallclimbing exercise.

“I did this event for personal gain; however, I think exercise is a great way to relieve stress,” said psychology sophomore Ayriel Wilburn said.

In addition to the physical ways to manage stress, there were also soothing ways for students to relieve stress.

One form of relieving stress featured

was reiki, a form of massage and energy work.

Reiki was demonstrated by placing hands 1 inch to 2 inches above parts of the body and organs, which are used to relieve stress as well as pain management.

This treatment can take about one hour.

Fencing provides an outlet for liberal arts freshman Miranda Jones.

“I am a big fan of Zorro and Batman and this is a perfect way to relieve stress in a nonviolent way, at least for me,”

Faculty Senate discusses new Web help

By Brianna Roberts Usha Venkat, director of technology and communications, described in a PowerPoint slideshow to Faculty Senate Wednesday the benefits of a new Web content management system, or CMS 400.

“Basically, it’s a set of tools designed to help you enhance your Web site,” Venkat said.

The system is independent of Blackboard Vista and Web CT, learning management systems the district uses.

The program does not require previous knowledge of HTML or programming.

Venkat said it decentralizes maintenance, keeps Web sites consistent and free of expired links, and enables faculty members to use tools like wiki and blogs in their class.

It is not mandatory for faculty members to use, she said, just available for them if they want it for their individual Web pages on each department’s site.

Each of the colleges is going to implement the program in different ways, Venkat said.

Several departments at this college have offered to test the program and will report about the benefits of the program in July.

“It has great potential for creating, managing and enhancing faculty Web sites,” Venkat said.

The Faculty Senate closed their doors for a little less than half an hour to discuss a response to Chancellor Bruce Leslie about changing the college’s logos, changing the name of the district again and the 5 percent tuition increase.

After the meeting reopened, an addition to the bylaws was discussed.

The addition stipulates that if a senator misses three or more meetings then the chair of the senate will request their reasons and discuss it with the executive board.

From there, the chair will discuss the senator and his or her reasons for missing meetings with the entire senate and come to a conclusion as to whether the senator will be asked to resign.

“I wasn’t convinced of the need,” Rocky Conrad, computer information systems chair, said.

“The Faculty Senate has existed this long without it.”

Most of the other senators said that if a senator failed to attend several meetings, they would be unable to properly represent their constituents.

she said.

Peer Educators also spread the word at their table regarding 10 free counseling sessions provided to any student who may need it by their adviser, Dr. Dawn McFadden.

Students are welcome to use the conditioning room, racquetball court and swimming pool in Candler from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

For more information, call 486-1010.

Tyler Cleveland

CIS Chair Rocky Conrad and Architecture Professor Isabel Garcia at Faculty Senate When the matter was put to a vote, the bylaw passed.

The Faculty Senate meets at 2 p.m.

April 15 in Room 120 of the visual arts center.

For more information, call 486-0667.

4 • April 3, 2009

People

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Tyler Cleveland

Carlos Garcia

Dr. Helen Pankowsky gives a reiki massage to nursing sophomore Amy Henderson during HealthFest Wednesday in Candler. A form of Japanese massage therapy, reiki translates as “universal life energy.” It involves the application of gentle hand pressure to facilitate the body’s innate healing abilities. See related story, Page 3.

Spa Day: Civil engineering sophomore Carlos Flores enjoys a back rub by massage therapist Ines Bravo-Heck Wednesday in Loftin. Spa Day was offered to students and included body massages and hand waxing. The total cost to the office of student life for Spa Day was $3,120.

Tyler Cleveland

HealthFest:

Tag, you’re it: Psychology sophomore Huy Nguyen throws a ball at music business freshman Miles Ramirez while mortuary science sophomore Sam Rodriguez, left, and music sophomore Michael Tap watch during a game of wall ball Monday in Candler. The racquetball courts are open for recreational use 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Thursday.

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Tyler Cleveland

S e t t i n g their sights:

Architecture sophomores Alejandra Salinas and Deb Kovenig work on two-point perspective drawings Tuesday in a Freehand Drawing 1 class with Professor Joaquin Escamilla west of Scobee.

Lexie Burton

Dancing with the stars: Education sophomore Felicia Chavarria and Micah Rodriguez, audio production freshman, practice ballroom dancing under Instructor Joanne Trevino’s supervision Monday in Candler.

Hot potato:

Professor Christy Woodward Kaupert of the political science department gave a lecture on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Tuesday in the Methodist Student Center during a Hot Potato lunch.

The center’s luncheon series is every Tuesday. Counselor Lisa Menard will discuss study skills Tuesday.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

April 3, 2009 • 5 Photos by Melissa Toscano Lazcano

President’s pizza parley About 200 people gathered in the Fiesta Room of Loftin for free pizza and to hear answers from college President Robert Zeigler March 27. Interim Executive Vice President Jessica Howard looks on.

of rising costs.

“I understand that this can impose and does impose a hardship, and particularly with the economy going the wrong direction,” he said. “I understand it is hard for students.”

By Trey Randolph He recommended students who can’t obtain federal financial aid should contact his or Howard’s offices, and their support After raffling off 12 iPod Shuffles to students selected for staff will work with students to try to figure out ways to help. wearing graduation buttons around campus, Dr. Robert Zeigler, “There are financial aid opportunities, and we will take the interim Executive Vice President Jessica Howard and David time and the trouble to try to keep somebody from dropping out Mrizek, vice president of college services, fielded 25 questions of school,” he said. covering topics from use of the gym to pending construction Nursing sophomore Noe Leyva asked about a cap on salaries projects, but rising tuition costs was the main student concern. and possible ways to offset expenses, such as installing solar For an hour and a half March 27, administrators spoke with panels. students at Pizza with the President, an open forum in Loftin Zeigler said administrative salaries are “not a college deciStudent Center featuring access to the college’s top three adminsion,” but made by the chancellor, vice chancellor of budget and istrators and 55 pizzas. the elected board of trustees.

At the microphone, numerous students said they underHe estimated the annual raise for administrators has been stood the need for the recent about 4 percent in the 5 percent tuition increase “last five, six years,” effective next fall but wantbut added that salary ed more details concerning increases have been frohow the additional money zen in the past and could will be spent. be frozen again in the Zeigler said the tuition future. increase will be used to “If the budget situacover many facets of college tion continues to deteriooperations, including faculty rate, it’s a very distinct salaries, classroom supplies, possibility we would technology and more. do that again and not He reminded students of have any pay increases,” their right to voice opinions Zeigler said. through the proper chan“I think that’s a fair nels, including writing letquestion and viable ters to the board of trustees option to look at, as it or state legislators if they may well be looked at,” don’t agree with the tuition he said, adding a freeze hike. on salary increases was “That’s your right as a weighed as an option student and your right as a last year on how to betcitizen,” Zeigler said. ter handle the budget “Whether it’ll make any situation. difference, I can’t say yes While there were a Interim Executive Vice President Jessica Howard explains a new records or no. I don’t know,” he few questions presentsystem expected in fall 2010 will generate random identification numbers. added. “But, certainly, you ed aggressively, Zeigler have that option.” maintained composure Nursing sophomore Angelica Padron asked if any alternatives and tried answering every question while defending the need were explored to negate the need for the hike. for increased costs.

Mrizek addressed questions concerning last year’s nursing “If you look at administrative costs as a percentage of the tuition hike of $750, saying that the college was having trouble entire budget, if you look at district administration as a percentoffering competitive pay and there was a general lack of qualified age of the entire budget, that’s really small,” he said. “The bulk nurses to teach. of the expense goes for instruction. Instruction includes what it “The reason for the increase was the challenge that we face takes to pay professors, run programs, all of those things. You’re continually to find the faculty to teach,” Mrizek said. “A nurse paying taxes and your money, I would say, is being invested fresh out of nursing school can earn considerably more than back in you.” they can if they come to San Antonio College. The competition Zeigler defended the creation of new administrative posiis tremendous for the nurses across the state. tions as important to “create more efficiencies and better “When you think about it, if we had more support coming service,” adding that the tuition increase, compared to prices from the state of Texas, then it would not necessarily be neces- of four-year institutions, still shows community college as “a sary to do that differential tuition,” he continued. pretty good deal.”

Zeigler noted the burden on students of raising tuition during He agreed with one student in the audience about tuition tough economic times, but stressed that the college would do prices increasing faster than inflation and state funds, but said anything possible to prevent students from dropping out because the hike was necessary to counteract reduced state funds and

“

There are financial aid opportunities, and we will take the time and the trouble to try to keep somebody from dropping out of school.

Dr. Robert Zeigler college president

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Tuition hike tops student concerns in March 27 open forum.

investment income.

He added, though, that tuition won’t continue increasing forever.

“I think you reach a threshold beyond which that’s not a sustainable way to continue to fund things because you’re going to get to a point where students can’t afford to pay it,” he said.

Theater technician Daniel Veliz, a student during 2004-2005, questioned why the college does not use a randomly assigned number for identification cards.

“We have an identification Dr. Robert Zeigler (card) using our 486-0959 Social Security Dr. Jessica Howard (number), and 486-0950 that’s a real huge security threat,” Veliz said. “There have been times where I couldn’t access online items or other items over the phone because I felt uncomfortable giving away my Social Security (number).”

Howard addressed this issue, saying the college has been “concerned about that for years,” and a new student records system, part of the district’s $6 million Banner records management system, will be implemented in fall 2010.

“In that system, everyone will be issued a unique identification number that is distinct and separate from the Social Security number, and that’s what we’ll be using for everything,” Howard said.

Howard said the college has in recent months been trying to transform all forms so that only the last four digits are required and cited the similarities in many names as the need for numbers to identify students instead of simply names.

She added unique numbers are already set up for students who don’t have Social Security numbers.

Student Government President Julianne Cantu said the association collected almost 200 names at the entrance to the event.

Zeigler closed the forum saying, “I think that probably a lot of this concern about name change and the logo change is overvaluing the logo and undervaluing us because what makes San Antonio College San Antonio College are the faculty and the programs and you and the work we do and the work we’ve done since 1925,” Zeigler said.

“That’s not going to change, we’re still going to do that, and we’re still going to be San Antonio College. So I don’t think a logo is going to change the nature of us and the nature of this school and change the reason that you decided to come here.”

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

6 • April 3, 2009

Leda Garcia

A life coach and a working journalist who freelances joined a panel of former journalists in a career transitioning seminar sponsored by the San Antonio associations of black and Hispanic journalists March 25.

Former journalists share stories of career transitioning A job loss can be a new beginning, a lifestyle coach said March 25 on a panel discussion “How To Find Your Footing Amid the Changing Journalism Industry: Teaching Old Media Dogs New Tricks” in the visual arts center.

The event was sponsored by the San Antonio Association of Black Journalists and the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists in response to the layoff of 75 journalists from the San Antonio Express-News announced Feb. 26.

“When a door closes, another one opens, and we must look around for the door; if not it will close again,” said lifestyle coach Lorna Engleman to an audience of 25.

Engleman was referring to the skills that the unemployed journalists have that will come in handy as they seek new employment.

SAABJ President Aissatou Sidime-David served as moderator for the panel of eight.

Also on the panel were Lisa Marie Gomez, a communications consultant; Richard A. Marini, assistant features editor at the Express-News; Kym Fox, senior lecturer at Texas State University-San Marcos; Jason Johnson, Trinity University professor; Tanji Patton, a former WOAI anchor who now has her own online business “Good taste with Tanji”; Tom Honeycutt, a private investigator and former business reporter; and Doug Sehres, a financial advisor who left his

position as photo director at the Express-News last year. The panel editing video. was asked several questions about journalism and how they were On the Web site, www.goodtastewithtanji.com, there are recipes, able to get their new start after working in the media. “How have the video segments on different local restaurants, a wine pairing guide skills as journalists helped you do what you are doing now?” Sidimeand a section where she answers questions.

David asked.

Engleman asked the audience Marini responded, “Asking how many were going through correct questions and learning the transition. Many raised their How have the skills as journalists core of being a reporter such as hands. She said that when peohelped you do gathering information and assessple lose their jobs or get fired, ing the information. Writing and they go through feelings of grief. what you are doing now? how you communicate help.”

Some stages people go through Aissatou Sidime-David Honeycutt said, “In my curare shock, protest and disorpresident of the San Antonio rent situation, I work alone just ganized mind, which involves Association of Black Journalists like I did as a reporter.” confusion and depression.

Patton suggested the out-ofShe gave a handout with sucwork journalists focus on what cess tips, coaching and resourcthey have rather than what they don’t have. es, which included books to read for help. She recommended, “Law “I am deadline driven. I can’t get rid of them,” she said as an example. of Success” by Napoleon Hill for anyone going through a transition.

When asked how she got started on her online business, Patton Some success tips from the handout are be joyful, do one random responded, “When the Web site about wine and travel took off, that act of kindness a day and have an attitude of gratitude. shows the power of the Web. Companies now have to have a Web site.”

Coaching, according to the handout, is “a tool that successful Patton suggested to those who want to start an online business people use to live extraordinary lives.” to do their research. Some companies may want to charge more to Coaching also gives people a richer, fuller life and that will lead create a Web site. She used the skills she had such as shooting and to success, she said.

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By Giselle Guadron

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Help wanted: 30 employers on campus Dress professionally, bring a résumé and be polite.

By Jade Villarreal A bevy of employers will be taking part in the annual Job Fair sponsored by career services from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Thirty employers will be on hand to receive résumés and meet students.

Students can expect to see such employers at the job fair as USAA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, City of Austin, Austin Fire Department, San Antonio Police Department, San Antonio Independent School District, military recruiters and various call centers.

Nurses Etc., Elite Staffing and Résumé Services, and Respicare of San Antonio will be present to recruit students interested in the medical field. Seasonal employers like Schlitterbahn, SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas will also be in attendance.

Javier Barron, program specialist, encourages students to attend the job fair because he sees it as a matchmaking service for stu-

dents and employers and good practice for students to polish their interviewing skills.

“It’s important for students to attend because we have a very good mix of employers this year,” he said. “What I see is that students that follow up and make a good first impression are the ones that have the most success. The job fair is good experience as well. I think it helps students see what the employer is looking for and understand the process of getting interviewed and so forth.”

He advises that attendees be ready to turn in an adequate résumé and cover sheet, dress neatly and be able to sell themselves.

Students are also encouraged to ask for a business card and follow up with an e-mail or phone call immediately referencing that they met the employer at the job fair.

Based on previous job fairs, it is projected that from 800-1,000 students will attend.

Barron advises students to arrive early to get some one-on-one face time before the Fiesta Room gets too crowded.

“We’re providing a service not just to the students and the alumni, but it’s also a service to the employer,” he said.

“We want a good relationship with the

employers to where if they hire a good candidate from SAC, they’ll keep coming back consistently.”

“A job fair is only one component of the typical job search,” he said.

The traditional method of looking for work typically consists of looking at classified or want ads, sending out résumés to certain employers, filling out applications and going to employment agencies.

“Only about one-third of people actually find jobs through a traditional job search so if you only do this, you really aren’t completing a job search,” he said. “A good way is through word of mouth, networking. About 35 percent of people find jobs this way and 30 percent find jobs through contacting the employer directly. Well, guess what? Going to a job fair is contacting the employer directly and networking, so you are able to utilize both components if you attend.”

Career services will sponsor a job fair in the fall that will cater to federal agencies and employers.

For more information, call career services at 486-0135 or contact Barron at jbarron38@mail.accd.edu.

Experienced job hunter offers tips Research, confidence and considering the boss’s perspective will improve interviews.

By Joshua Sanchez Guerrero After 76 job interviews, Dorothy Leeds has some advice to share with job seekers on how to excel at interviewing.

Leeds, who has written 12 books, been an MSNBC film critic, a high school teacher and worked on Broadway in advertising on Madison Avenue, spoke on finding an ideal job through interviewing skills March 26 in the Fiesta Room.

Her advice included being an active searcher and learning to sell yourself for the right price.

Think from the boss’s perspective, she said, and emphasize questions to put you in control of the interview.

She said a job seeker should also hit the books and do some

research about the job sought.

Leeds said 80 percent of jobs are found through networking so she suggested applying for jobs you are interested in whenever they come up.

Leeds stressed pursuing multiple career paths as well as hiding desperation in seeking a dream job.

Leeds said most résumés are used to eliminate competitors.

For the job interview to be successful, she said, self-marketing is the key.

That also means getting a job offer and making sure the job is right for you Leeds offers these goals for finding jobs: Full-time seekers should schedule two interviews a day while part-timers should attend one interview a day.

Full-time students should aim for two interviews a week, she said.

For more on Leeds, visit www.dorothyleeds.com.

April 3, 2009 • 7

GIS field offers new job options

Computer systems provide geographic data to analyze areas.

By Ralonda R. Green Moving the chemistry, earth sciences and astronomy department meant cutting a course in the geographic information systems program for the spring semester, Chair Roger Stanley said.

Stanley explained that because the chemistry-geology building is being renovated, space was tight in their temporary home in the nursing education building.

“This spring we have Intro to GIS, Advanced, and Concepts and Careers in GIS,” Stanley said.

He referred to GISC 1411, 2401 and 1125.

Stanley said there is a meeting April 15 with the GIS Advisory Committee, an annual meeting with professionals in the field to review course offerings.

He said that in the fall, they will add GISC 2435, Programming for GIS, and GISC 2420, Intermediate GIS. Geographic information systems are a system of computers, software and techniques that allow the analysis and management of objects that vary in space in two of three dimensions. It uses computers to map and analyze the world.

GIS courses will train individuals to create and analyze graphic designs including maps, engineering drawing and animation in digital formats.

Individuals will even gain skills in storing and manipulating graphic/nongraphic data; inter-

preting collected information.

The systems are vital to governmental and commercial research for anything from a company wanting to know where service complaints are concentrated to where the most burglaries have occurred and which hospital in the area has the highest success rate.

Aquifer pollution and knowing which homes are closest to a future liquor store are data a company or association may want.

Careers in GIS are many and varied for students who complete the GIS degree program.

The chemistry, earth sciences and astronomy department offers an Associate in Arts degree in GIS, and the physics, engineering and architecture department offers both an Associate in Applied Science in GIS and Level 1 Certificate in GIS. GIS graduates may become GIS technicians, analysts and managers.

A geographic information officer, an executive or cabinetlevel person who oversees many GIS managers and works alongside company presidents or government officials, is another possibility.

In addition, positions as cartographer, database operation technician and GIS programmer are available.

For more information, visit www.accd.edu/sac/earthsci/ gis-course.htm or call (210) 4860045.

8 • April 3, 2009

Future teachers attend confab

By Michelle Franco Three members of the Teaching Academy Peers Program participated in panel discussions at the first annual Southwest Teaching and Learning Conference March 27 at Palo Alto College.

The event sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville System CenterSan Antonio attracted approximately 50 teachers.

The purpose of the conference was to improve teaching at the college and university level.

The presentation included two panel discussions. One was on tips for making the classroom interesting while integrating technology geared toward the three styles of learning: visual, kinesthetic and auditory.

The other concerned enhancing learning through student organizations, English Professor Mary Anne Bernal, TAPP adviser, said via phone March 23.

“I think it’s one of the greatest opportunities to be able to share with teachers what is capturing our attention,” Teresa Rodriguez, elementary education sophomore and president of TAPP, who participated in the conference, said in an interview March 25.

Club Historian Josey Lopez, education freshman, and Elida Guerra, education freshman, were the other two students to attend the conference.

“Our goal is to encourage teachers to incorporate technology in the classroom since it is evolving so fast,” Rodriguez said, “and to encourage teachers to help students be part of organizations in college or universities.”

Organization members collected 102 student surveys, online and in selected classes at the college, on what students thought about the use of different instruction methods.

The surveys showed: • 27 percent of the students had classes in which teachers used blogs.

• Only 12 percent of the students used podcasts to learn class material.

• 42 percent have seen YouTube videos as part of class instruction.

• 24 percent use their laptops in class.

• 28 percent use textbook online support to take quizzes and to review key points.

Of those students who made use of online PowerPoint presentations and notes posted by teachers, the majority felt positive about it.

They appreciated the convenience, being able to catch up after an absence or being able to preview material or get clarification of material.

Fifty percent said they liked group collaboration, 12 percent said sometimes and 28 percent said they did not.

Students who liked it said they enjoyed hearing different opinions, getting to know people and helping each other learn.

They also said it was more efficient and fun.

Students who didn’t like it said they preferred to work alone and not rely on others.

They also had trouble scheduling time outside class or didn’t appreciate unequal contributions.

Forty-nine percent of students said they had not had an assignment that required them to try out concepts they were learning in the classroom in the real world or an internship environment.

“Hopefully this influences techniques teachers’ use,” Bernal said.

TAPP members found that students who were involved in student organizations had increased organizational skills, creativity skills, self-confidence and increased their knowledge in careers.

“I think it’s really great to be involved because you have the chance to meet with teachers and ask them about their classes before you take them and (the student clubs) helps meet other students that have same inter-

est,” organization Secretary Matthew Mendez, education sophomore, said in an interview March 25.

“This is an excellent opportunity for teachers to get feedback from students on using technology in the classroom and the participation in clubs,” Mendez said.

“It might encourage teachers to become sponsors,” Mendez said, “We always need more sponsors.”

Mendez did not attend the conference but was involved in the creation of the presentation.

“The main eye opener for me was that teachers were unaware of the technologies students are using that teachers can use to enhance their teaching methods,” Rodriguez said.

She used the example of the iPhone and the iTunes U podcast, where anyone can download lectures from different universities at no cost.

“You can download a lecture from Harvard,” she said.

“The technology is advancing, but some teachers are not,” Rodriguez said.

“Just because you know how to text really well doesn’t mean that the teacher does.”

“This was a great training ground for me,” Rodriguez said, “This isn’t the first conference I’m going to be going to.

There will be more.”

TAPP provides services to those who are interested in or pursuing a teaching degree.

They have 300 members on their e-mail list.

“We don’t stress attending meetings,” English Professor Norma CruzGonzales, another adviser to the group said. “It’s whatever their lifestyles allow.”

Although the organization is primarily for education majors, joining is not required.

“They can be social workers or nurses,” Cruz-Gonzales said, “any career in contact with a youngster.”

“We try to be inclusive not exclu-

www.theranger.org • The Ranger Tyler Cleveland

TAPP historian Josey Lopez rehearses her speech in Gonzales March 26. sive,” she said.

The need for teachers is “critical,” Cruz-Gonzales said, especially in bilingual elementary education, as well as math and science for middle school and high school.

She stressed the need for male educators because some kids lacked male role models.

“It’s good for youngsters to be around male teachers in order to be

comfortable and confident in life, especially for people who don’t have it in their personal life,” she said.

The organization also participates in community service activities, like visiting the children’s shelter or hosting book drives.

For students interested in joining, visit http://tappatsac.blogspot.com or e-mail at tappatsac@gmail.com or call 486-0665.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Reporter to lecture Tuesday on Galveston devastation

April 3, 2009 • 9 Accunet/AP Photos

By Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

The nine reporters set up in the conference room of the News’ building.

Journalist Leigh Jones from the Galveston County For the first week during the storm, they e-mailed Daily News will discuss her coverage of Hurricane Ike their stories to editors in New Braunfels. using social media from 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m. Tuesday After computers went down, they used wireless access in Room 120 of the visual arts center. cards to hook up to the Internet on their laptops and evenThe lecture is the 32nd annual Edith Fox King tually had to use a generator for another two weeks.

Journalism Lecture sponsored by the journalism-phoThey also used twitter to post updates between tography department and the student chapter of the stories.

Society of Professional Journalists.

Twitter is a micro-blogging service that The lecture series, which began in 1978, enables users to send and read other users’ is named for King; who taught journalism at updates using up to 140 characters in this college and advised The Ranger student length. newspaper from 1958 to 1968.

She said that having knowledge of what The event is free and open to the public was happening in the city helped in relayJones has been a journalist for five years ing information to residents trying to get and has worked for the News for 2 ½ years. back home.

She is one of nine reporters who stayed Jones also said she has been bombarded in Galveston during the hurricane when it with praise from readers, through e-mails, hit on Sept. 13. of how great a job the reporters did coverLeigh Jones Residents were not allowed back into the ing Ike. city for 11 days.

Circulation of the News is about 30,000, Ike was the third most destructive hurricane to and the newspaper has about 100 employees. make landfall in the United States.

Jones wants journalism students to understand The most destructive hurricane in the U.S. was a the importance of keeping up-to-date with technology Category 4 storm Sept. 8, 1900, that leveled the city because there’s always a new way to convey informaand claimed 8,000 lives. tion.

In a telephone interview March 24, Jones said she She graduated with a degree in English from Texas was never really scared of the hurricane but thinks it’s State University-San Marcos in 1997 and is originally been the most exciting and interesting assignment yet. from Houston.

The newspaper delivered uninterrupted news durJones’ beat in Galveston is covering City Council. ing the disaster, never missing an edition.

For information on the event, call 486-1765.

Fire destroys homes along the beach on Galveston Island as Hurricane Ike approaches Sept. 12, 2008. The Category 3 Hurricane Ike sent white waves crashing over the seawall and tossed a disabled 584-foot freighter in rough water as it steamed toward Texas.

The Ranger

10 • www.theranger.org

Honors musicians take the stage File

By Lea Thompson Selected music students will perform in the Honors Recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Each year, music faculty nominate private lesson students who have shown outstanding dedication to their music and performance, interim Chair Mary Lou Russell said.

Twenty-five students auditioned for faculty, but only nine were selected to perform in this year’s recital.

Justin Hoyos will play bass trombone. Juan Solis and

Anthony Bravo will perform marimba, Kelsi Johnson and Kelly Campbell will sing soprano.

Ruben Rodriguez will perform tuba. Megumi Mrakami will play the piano. Eduardo Garcia will play saxophone, and Caitlin O’Neill will play violin.

The program showcases a diversity of music, featuring composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frederic Chopin and Carl Maria von Weber.

“It is an honor to be nominated as well as to be chosen to perform,” Russell said. “This has traditionally been an outstanding concert we are very

Premiere

April 3, 2009 • 11 Lea Thompson

proud of.”

The recital showcases and recognizes the students’ talents and knowledge of music.

Students will be awarded a plaque for their achievements over the year and for their participation in the recital.

A plaque with their names will also be hung on the wall opposite the office of music and humanities located in McAllister.

This event is free and open to the public.

A reception with cookies and punch will be in the lobby after the recital.

Call 286-0255 for more information.

Courtesy

Outstanding student art pieces focus of upcoming exhibit

Fine arts Instructor Rebecca Dietz, right, and Professor Susan Witta-Kemph select student submissions for the visual arts department annual juried student exhibition in the visual arts gallery March 23.

Courtesy

‘Cardboard Rocket’ lands on campus

By Rolanda R. Green For San Antonio families looking for familyfriendly fun with an educational spin, Scobee Planetarium could be the answer.

Scobee offers entertainment along with beneficial education about the worlds beyond our planet.

The shows that play for schools and the public are “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” and “Black Holes.”

“Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” is an animated state-of-the-art production that takes viewers on an imaginary journey through the solar system; young astronauts in training visit each planet and the sun.

The three characters leading this journey, two kids and an astronomy book, travel to each planet in a cardboard spacecraft to explore.

Families and children ages 4 and older will enjoy this interactive adventure through space, but children younger than 4 are not admitted.

“Black Holes,” featuring the voice of actor John de Lancie, who plays the character “Q” on “Star Trek: the Next Generation,” leads viewers on a journey to discovering what a black hole is, where it

comes from and if Earth could be headed for one.

Children younger than 6 are not admitted to this show.

Scobee Planetarium Coordinator Bryan Snow said, “Throughout the school year, we usually run about 600 school programs on the average.”

“Each one of those programs would seat about 90 people,” Snow added.

Snow said that sometimes Scobee Planetarium will have maybe one school containing three classes and sometimes one science program will combine three schools arriving for seating.

“So all and all we may average somewhere between 400, maybe as many as 700 schools coming throughout the school year, and 20,000 a year,” Snow said.

“The program that we run most often, for the public and for the schools, is the ‘Secret of the Cardboard Rocket’ because we have so many families that come to the planetarium during the school day,” Snow said.

He continues, “Kids from first grade through about fourth and fifth grade can see that, too, that’s probably our most popular, with ‘Black Holes’ at very close second.”

Planetarium reservation secretary Gina Gutierrez said Feb. 19, “We ask that they (guest) arrive 5 minutes early.

We use that time to prepare, settle down the children and get them in their seats.”

She also said that it is first-come, first-served for guests on Friday nights and that Scobee even offers shows for physically challenged students and Cub Scouts.

School showings are at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Admission to school shows for students is $2; teachers and teacher aides, free; adult chaperones or parents, $5; seniors ages 55 and older, $3.

School shows are not open to the public.

“Secret of the Cardboard Rocket” plays at 6:30 p.m. and “Black Holes” at 7:45 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. Friday for public programming.

Admission to Friday public shows for children ages 4-17 is $2; adults ages 18-54, $5; seniors ages 55 and older, $3.

Students, faculty and staff of the Alamo Community College District are free with current ID. For more information, visit www.accd.edu/sac/ ce/scobee or call 486-0100.

370 pieces picked by visual arts faculty from hundreds of student submissions.

By Lea Thompson

The visual art department’s annual juried student exhibition will open to the public April 13 in the gallery of the visual arts center.

A reception will be 5 p.m.-7 p.m. April 16 in the gallery. The exhibition showcases the best student artwork from classes this year.

The 11 full-time visual arts faculty members began judging submissions March 23 and completed their selection Monday.

Hundreds of student works were submitted, but only 370 pieces were selected for the exhibition, Professor Liu Qing said Monday.

The exhibition includes art disciplines including drawing, painting, digital imaging, graphic design, Web site design, animation, sculpture, ceramics, photography 2-D design and printmaking.

“Uniqueness is the first thing I look for,” Professor Eduardo Rodriguez said. “We see the same projects over and over, year after year. It’s the stuff that stands out to me that goes into the show.”

Each day, submissions in one medium were hung up in the visual arts gallery for the faculty to judge.

They used colored paper slips to mark the pieces they liked and whittled down the submissions.

“The themes of the artwork will vary by project,” Professor Tom Willome said. “We look for good, solid design and presentation in all of them.”

Faculty were scheduled to notify their students as early as Wednesday if their work was selected to be in the exhibit. It is an honor to be featured in the show; students will gain recognition within their community and distinction in their résumés, Qing said Wednesday.

Winners of the 2009 Visual Arts Scholarship Awards will be announced at the opening reception. The Laura and Robert Fainter

Memorial Scholarship for Fine Art Students and the Beverly Nix Coiner Scholarship are both endowments established by late professors at this college.

The Fainter Scholarship is awarded to students nominated by faculty.

“We look for the strong upcoming voices in class. We nominated well-rounded students who are pushing themselves to excel in all their classes,” Instructor Rebecca Dietz said.

The Beverly Nix Coiner Scholarship is awarded to digital design students who have won a gold Addy award this year in the local competition. Addy is a college-level art competition for design, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. Students who win a gold Addy are automatically considered for the scholarship.

This event is free and open to the public.

The exhibit is open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. MondayThursday and 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Friday in the visual arts gallery.

The exhibit will run until Sept. 4.

Call 486-1030 for more information.

Upcoming

12 • April 3, 2009

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Speech students speak out in competition Scholarships will be awarded to competition finalists.

By Dani Williams

Drop Date Now that the drop date is fast approaching, The Ranger offers these examples of school life gone bad.

Animal House (1978) John Belushi, Tim Matheson, John Vernon Faber College has two completely opposite fraternities. One is full of studious, hard-working men and is the favorite of the dean. The other has members who live to party and are a constant thorn in the dean’s side. So the dean comes up with a plan with his pet fraternity to wipe the other fraternity off campus.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold The lives of a group of California teenagers are chronicled in this movie based on the real-life experiences of Cameron Crowe.

Some of them are looking for love, others are helping and Penn just wants to get in trouble.

Breakfast Club (1985) Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez Five completely different students are thrown together one Saturday for detention. The only things they have in common are the fact that they’re stuck together, alone, for a whole day, and that they have to write an essay for the principal. Throughout the day, they each reveal more of themselves than they had ever intended.

Clueless (1995) Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd Silverstone is the most popular, the most beautiful, the richest and the most clueless girl around. After she makes over the new girl in school, Murphy instantly takes Silverstone’s popularity. Silverstone then engages in a little self-reflection and realizes that by doing good in her life, she feels better about herself.

Election (1999) Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick, Chris Klein Witherspoon is the most popular girl in school and expects to win the student election hands down.

But when one of her teachers pushes Klein to run and then Klein’s sister joins, the election becomes a free-for-all.

On April 14, SPCH 1311 and SPCH 1321 students will battle for a winning slot in the final round of the theater and speech communication department’s second Speak Out. The preliminary round will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of McAllister Fine Arts Center. It is scheduled to end at 5 p.m.

Exact locations for the preliminary round were not available.

Speech Instructor Jolinda Ramsey said people will direct guests to the appropriate classrooms.

Ramsey said about six rooms will be used for Speak Out, with two judges in each room.

Two students from each speech class were nominated by classmates to compete.

Today SAC Event: Coffee Night and open mic 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Round in Loftin. Call 486-0668.

Exhibit: Queens and Crowns: Fiesta’s Royal Traditions at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. Adults $7, seniors $6 and children $5. Continues though Sept. 7.

Call 357-1900.

Students will compete with a speech, which they have previously presented in class, Ramsey said.

The time limit for each speech is a maximum of 10 minutes; top speaker in each classroom will advance to the finals.

In case the finalists are not able to compete in the finals, alternates will stand by, Ramsey said.

The final round is at 7 p.m. in McCreless Theater.

Judges and students will determine the winners; a ballot will be taken by the students, Ramsey said.

Participants will be recognized for their participation in Speak Out with certificates and scholarships.

The first-place winner of Speak Out will be awarded a $300 scholarship.

Second- and third-place winners will receive $200 and students taking fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place will receive $100.

Instructors in the department organized the first

Speak Out, which was started in November.

Ramsey said this will give the department an opportunity to recruit speech communication majors.

“The students really enjoyed it last year,” Ramsey said.

Students will have an opportunity to show their talents while speaking in front of a larger audience and trying to win a scholarship, Ramsey said.

She also said “students should come to support their classmates.”

Ramsey said last semester her students were impressed with some of the other speech instructors’ teaching methods and it brought a lot of good conversation back to her classroom.

In SPCH 1311, Fundamentals of Speech, there are 40 sections and SPCH 1321, Business and Professional Speaking, has nine.

Speak Out is open to classmates and guests.

For more information, call 486-0496 or 486-0493.

SAC Transfer: University of Texas at San Antonio 9 a.m.11 a.m. in second floor lobby of McCreless and appointments from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0868.

Memorial: Professor Larry Bailey honored by the Public Administration Club at 1 p.m. in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 486-0192.

SAC Event: Social Justice Monday with Bexar County Detention Ministries Inc. at 1 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Call 736-3752.

Tuesday

Event: Mayoral debate with former Councilman Julián Castro, District 8 Councilwoman Diane Cibrian, political consultant Trish DeBerry-Mejia and District 2 Councilwoman Sheila McNeil at noon on 89.1 FM. Call 614-8977.

SAC Event: Town Hall with the San Antonio mayoral candidate at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Longwith.

Call 227-0044.

SAC Hot Potato: “Are you ready for exams?” 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. at Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 733-1441.

SAC Event: Rosary and lunch at 12:15 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Continues April 14 and 28. Call 736-3752.

Wednesday

SAC Event: Mass and a meal at 12:15 p.m. at Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Continues Fridays.

Call 736-3752.

SAC Event: Walk for Justice sponsored by the Methodist and Catholics student centers.

Meet at 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland.

Call 736-3752.

SAC Event: Read Together, Talk Together 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Room 613 of Moody. Call 486-0464.

SAC Event: Five-on-five flag football from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at San Pedro Park. Call 4860125.

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SAC Deadline: Deadline for the paper issue of The Ranger for the spring semester. Continues through April 13.

Saturday

Concert: Walden Chamber Players at 7:30 p.m. in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall of Trinity University.

Call 999-8212.

Monday SAC Event: Karaoke Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Continues April 20. Call 4860128.

SAC Meeting: Student Government executive meeting at 2 p.m. in the Craft Room of Loftin.

Speaker: “A Poetry Conversation with Watson and Ras”

by Ellen Dore Watson, director of the Smith Poetry Center, and Barbara Ras, director of the Trinity University Press, 7 p.m. in Ruth Taylor Theater of Trinity. Call 999-7567.

SAC Event: RCIA with Seminarian Sam by appointment at the Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Continues Thursdays. Call 736-3752.

April 10 SAC Closing: College closed for Easter. Continues through April 12.

SAC Event: Air-brush artist in the mall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 486-0128.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. in second floor lobby of McCreless and appointments from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the transfer center. Call 486-0868.

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Thursday

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in second floor lobby of McCreless. Call 4860868.

SAC Meeting: Catholic Student Association and lunch at 12:15 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Continues Wednesdays. Call 7363752.

SAC Meeting: “Church Stuff” at 12:30 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Continues Wednesdays through April 22.

Call 736-3752.

NVC Event: “Earth Day/Jazz Appreciation month concert” 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cypress student center patio. Call 486-4828.

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April 13 SAC Performance: Guitar Ensemble 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Call 733-2731.

SAC Event: Volunteer in the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry at Catholic Student Center, 312 Courtland. Call 736-3752.

April 14 SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. in second floor lobby of McCreless and appointments from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 486-0868.

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College SWC: South West Campus For coverage in Upcoming, call 486-1773 or e-mail to sac-ranger@mail.accd.edu two weeks in advance.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

April 3, 2009 • 13

‘Fair work, fair wages’ Civil rights leader’s legacy encourages young activists.

By Melissa Toscano Lazcano Students marched among the 10,000 supporters at the 13th annual César Chávez March for Justice to commemorate the life of the civil rights leader from Plaza Guadalupe up to a rally at the Alamo March 28 co-sponsored by the City of San Antonio.

In 1962, Chávez founded the United Farm Workers of America, an organization whose purpose is to “provide farm workers and other working people with the inspiration and tools to share in society’s bounty,” the Web site www. ufw.org reports.

Marchers chanted the organization’s motto “Sí se puede,” translated as “Yes, we can.”

Arturo Rodriguez, Chávez’s son-in-law and president of the organization, led the march as grand marshal.

The organization’s Web site states, “He seeks to fundamentally transform American agriculture by creating jobs offering workers decent pay, comprehensive health coverage, retirement security, protections against toxic poisons, job security and guarantees against discrimination and sexual harassment.”

Students representing Our Lady of the Lake University called for “fair work, fair wages.”

John Gil, business freshman and student leadership board member at St. Philip’s College, said, “We did get a big turnout this time, but we want to get even more.”

Gil said about 20 students marched representing St. Philip’s.

Nano Calderón, history and Mexican-American studies senior and president of the MexicanAmerican Studies Student Organization at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said her organization wants more support in the public school system.

“Mexican-American history and other things related to that are not really taught,” Calderón said.

Claudia Sanchez, a biology senior at UTSA, has been the student outreach coordinator and a board member of the César Chávez Legacy and Educational Fund for nine years.

“This is one of the largest marches in the

nation,” Sanchez said.

She said the organization tries every year to reach the younger generation, including college, elementary and middle school students because “they’re the ones that might not know of César Chávez.”

“He’s a great role model that we can all look up to, not just Latinos,” Sanchez said.

Jaime Martinez, president and founder of the César Chávez Legacy and Educational Fund, led the Alamo rally.

The foundation has awarded 22 scholarships to college, university and high school students.

Rosa Rosales, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, addressed the crowd, saying, “If I can say anything today that will make a difference because I echo everybody’s speeches and that is that together, we can make a difference,” LULAC is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States.

Rosales asked the audience to think about their neighbors, the unemployed, those losing their homes or living without insurance, and the elderly who have to choose between food or medicine.

Sociology Instructor Joe M. Gonzales said more students were involved in this year’s march to support social change.

“They were very active,” Gonzales said.

About 18 to 20 students from this college participated in the organization and promotion, he said.

Ximena Alvarez, radio-television-broadcasting sophomore, works as public relations director at Cin-Co Film Works Production on a documentary of the 1960s civil rights movement.

“I’ve always wanted to make a huge difference,” Alvarez said in Spanish. “I want to show the faces of those workers, who are always in the sun and bring food to our homes.”

“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed,” she said. “You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read.

César Chávez said, “You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”

For more information on the César Chávez Legacy and Educational Fund, call 226-2301, visit the Web site www.cesarchavezlegacy.org or the office at 1504 E. Commerce.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger José Castllo

14 • April 3, 2009

Sing Along: Music sophomore Rachel Taylor, nursing sophomore Laryssa Jones and business freshman Miranda Jones practice various music pieces Wednesday in the mall. Taylor will take part in the Opera Workshop April 28 in McAllister.

Summer nursing program deadline approaching

By Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle The deadline for students to apply for the summer program to train certified nursing assistants is April 16.

Sponsored by Project Cuidar and the department of nursing education, classes will begin May 18 and continue through the end of June, nursing Professor Sheryd Jackson said March 27.

To be eligible, participants must be completing their junior or senior year of high school and be 18 by June 30, have immunization records, reside in San Antonio or Bexar County, complete the college FAFSA application for academic year 2008-09, be a minority, and be first generation of the family to attend college.

Also, any current student taking core courses at this college is encouraged to apply if interested in nursing.

Students selected will be required to have a clear criminal background check, have a negative drug screen test, and show proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate from the American Heart Association.

Classes offered will be CNA theory, CNA clinical, Spanish for health care providers, and medical terminology. Books will be provided.

Students will receive a stipend but the amount has yet to be decided.

Upon successfully completing these courses, students will be prepared to take the state examination for nurse aide certification.

Students must print out applications and turn them in to Room 347 of the nursing and allied health complex.

An essay of 200 words or less explaining why they think they should be selected is also required.

This federal grant is available through Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The goal of this project is to increase the number of nurses from underserved areas of San Antonio, she said.

For more information and to obtain copies of the three applications that must be turned in, go to http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/projectcuidar/S09CNAinfo.htm or call Jackson at 486-1191.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

April 3, 2009 • 15

Astronomy students measure moon’s motion

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Reduced moonlight is optimal for star gazing, instructor says.

By Ralonda R. Green

Astronomy Instructor Alfred Alaniz finally found a spot to take his night lab class to limit light pollution on campus.

On Feb. 23, he and his class set up shop between Scobee Planetarium and the nursing education building.

“We had a clear night. We had no moon, which is perfect,” Alaniz said, adding, however, “We still have the light pollution on campus, but I chose objects that were bright enough to see; even in the light pollution.”

The evening lab usually met west of the chemistry-geology building for stargazing, but the installation of new lights for safety purposes reduced viewing ability in that location, sending Alaniz and his students wandering the campus in search of a spot dark enough for viewing.

Alaniz explained his students were trying to measure how fast the Earth rotates by looking at the stars moving.

“Then, we are going to have detailed to scale drawings of certain constellations; so our groups were measuring angles between stars,” Alaniz said. “So essentially a position of stars, it’s called ‘Astro matrix’ positions of stars, but we’re going to do a little science and figure out how fast the Earth rotates.”

Another night they planned to measure how fast the moon moves in relation to Venus.

“When we have a moon, a crescent moon, we’re going to measure how fast it moves with respect to Venus, the brightest object in the western sky,” he said, noting that will allow the class to calculate how long the moon orbits the Earth. “So we do a little bit of science — if the weather will cooperate.”

He said the students enjoyed being outside for the first time this semester.

“They couldn’t wait. They sat on a few ant piles, and they actually got some mosquitoes, but other than that,

we actually spent about close to two hours. Because some of our measurements were time sensitive — they had to be done at least an hour apart in order to see that change to calculate the rotation of the Earth,” he said.

“Well, it was once thought that the Earth stood still and that the sky went around it. So it doesn’t matter which is happening; we just went measuring the change. So, we just want to know how long a day is, a real actual day. We want to see if it’s correct or not, or how they came up with it.

“We’re actually measuring it to prove it. We’re not assuming that what we were taught is correct; that’s not what you do in science. Science teaches you to always challenge,” he said.

Alaniz will still have to deal with the lighting situation on campus, especially if the weather does not cooperate.

“So far, I have chosen objects that are bright enough to see on campus, and planets you can always see on campus and the moon you can always see on campus.”

Astronomy Instructor Alfred Alaniz shows business sophomore Leroy Villegas and fine arts sophomore Melissa Garza where the Procyon star is located during Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Feb. 23 west of the nursing education building.

Science students’ repurposing project gains in popularity Fun with Physics Friday project encouraged to apply for grant.

By Ralonda R. Green The Fun with Physics Friday has been a success for students interested in engineering and science, the project adviser said.

“It took off more than what I had expected,” astronomy Instructor Alfred Alaniz said. “I am worried that we’re going to start having too much stuff. We might have trouble with storage eventually.”

Alaniz said he and his students

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

want to create an “electromagnetic contraption” to help better recycle metals and plastics on campus.

“We might have some designs by the end of the semester and maybe next fall because I don’t know when we’re going to start recycling more than just paper and cardboard. That’s all we’re doing now,” he said.

“What we’re thinking of doing is not only mashing it, but maybe applying a little heat so it stays flat, because plastic has the most volume of any garbage and landfills, and it doesn’t deteriorate,” Alaniz said.

Service Learning Coordinator Audrey Grams said Alaniz proposed

a project for the students, which might be written into the new Learn and Serve Grant.

Grams said she was interested in the recycling projects that his engineering and physics students were planning, adding they would be good for the college and benefit the environment.

“They must tell us what interest area they want to be involved in: help the homeless or the environment, etc.,” Grams said. “We want to know what nonprofit organizations they would like to work with, or if they have no idea what organization they would like to work with, we can help them with that.”

Valerie McCoy, service learn-

ing research specialist, said a grant proposal was submitted to the Corporation for National and Community Service 2009 competition.

McCoy said this corporation awards the Learn and Serve America Higher Education grant to groups with projects that help the community and promote higher education.

For more information about Fun with Physics Friday, call Alaniz at 486-0060.

For Service Learning information, visit Facebook for San Antonio College Service-Learning, e-mail agrams@mail.accd.edu, or call 4860763.

Fun with Physics Friday members attempt VCR repairs.

16 • April 3, 2009 Photos by Leda Garcia

Pulse

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Revived cheerleader program hopes to compete in meets Squad members practice multiple roles to develop versatility.

By Jeff Reese

Education freshman Jennifer Hobson and physics freshman Amanda DeYoung hold up nursing freshman Candice Brannam while performing a pyramid during a volleyball match against Victoria College.

After reviving the cheerleading program in fall 2008, director Danielle Kenerson now has her squad ready for the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s summer camp July 18-21 at Texas State University-San Marcos.

In fall 2007, the squad went belly-up soon after student life Director Jorge Posadas replaced Peter Aguirre as cheerleading director, but Posadas resigned his cheerleading duties soon afterward.

Kenerson, whose squad now cheers at volleyball and basketball games, and the office of student life evaluated the cheerleaders mostly on what they had learned to see if they were ready for competition.

Kenerson said the squad can go to meets “if they’re able to be a team and be here and learn the routines and show that they have learned something and if I have been able to teach them something as a squad.”

When the squad chooses routines, it keeps in mind that it has four “bases” and two “flyers.”

In lift stunts, flyers are car-

Cheerleading squad members support Lady Rangers volleyball team during a match against Victoria College March 19 in Candler. ried by bases, and the squad must plan how many of each it has based on size, weight and strength.

Kenerson said having male cheerleader Gilbert Rodriguez on the team changes what the squad can do because he is stronger than his female counterparts.

“It’s just the male body and frame can do much more,” Kenerson said. “You can have one male holding up one female, and it’s three girls holding up one girl as opposed to one male holding

up one girl.”

Nursing freshman Kathy Quiroz said team members do not have set roles.

“It helps the squad to learn different things like how to be a base and a flyer,” Quiroz said. “I think we can put any of them in the air if we try.”

Group awards at the camp include best spirit, most improved, best dance, best cheer and best stunt group.

Individuals compete for best jump, best running tumbling, best standing tumbling

and best all-around.

Quiroz looks forward to putting on a show.

“It’s not just to go out there and win it, but to go out there and perform in front of everybody,” Quiroz said.

Kenerson said the camp could lead to nationwide competitions.

Quiroz said she is willing to throw her hat in the ring.

“I’m not embarrassed to be in front of people,” Quiroz said. “When it’s time to be serious, I’m very competitive.”

Pulse

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

April 3, 2009 • 17

St. Philip’s scholarship golf tournament hits the greens One hundred players participate in inaugural fundraising tournament.

By James Bosquez Nearly $150,000 was raised for St. Philip’s general scholarship fund at the Inaugural Scholarship Golf Tournament March 3 at the Pecan Valley Golf Course.

All funds raised will go strictly

toward scholarships, said college director of community and public relations Matari Jones-Gunter.

Some will go specifically to the St. Philip’s Presidential Scholar fund.

The cost to organize the tournament totaled $28,500.

This was the first such tournament sponsored by the college and was organized by the president’s office through a committee consisting of Jones-Gunter and director of institutional advancement and development Jorge Treviño.

The tournament was part of the

celebration of St. Philip’s 111th anniversary.

One hundred golfers played in the event, including Alamo Community College District Chancellor Bruce Leslie, District 2 board trustee Denver McClendon and District 5 board trustee Robert Zárate.

Spurs Sports and Puente Entertainment sent Edgar representatives from both the Spurs and the Silver Stars orga-

Photos by Leda Garcia

nizations.

Local businesses also involved in the tournament included Valero, KENS 5 News, CPS and Skanska, the building construction company currently contracted with the district.

Donation packages ranged from $2,000 for four players to $7,500 for as many as 12 players. Depending on the package, companies were provided advertising space on the golf program produced for the tournament.

Individuals could sign up for $150.

More than 50 St. Philip’s students volunteered for the event, performing such jobs as welcoming incoming players and providing caddying services.

Jones-Gunter said the college is planning to make this an annual event after the success of this year’s tournament and will return to Pecan Valley Golf Course, located at 4700 Pecan Valley Drive.

For more information, call the St. Philip’s public relations department at 486-2100.

Lady Rangers’ late-game rallies fall short Team plays four close games, gets only one win.

By Jeff Reese

Education freshman Casey Davidson and psychology freshman Monique Martin attempt to save the ball in the match against St. Philip’s College March 26 in Candler.

Lady Rangers volleyball treated the home crowd to four seesaw games March 26 against St. Philip’s College but could not keep late-game rallies going in a 3-1 loss.

The Lady Tigers’ Edith Washington, whose tall, lanky frame towered over everyone on the court, dominated the game with powerful shots to force Ranger hitting errors.

Rangers Coach Marisa Martinez said Washington’s intimidating presence left the players looking for answers.

“It was hard trying to read her hits because she reaches above and beyond the net,” Martinez said.

“The girls were saying, ‘We’re doing everything right, we just can’t stop her.’”

Neither team dominated the match except when the Rangers torched SPC for a 9-0 run early in Game 1 and never looked back in a 25-20 win.

Liberal arts freshman Roxanna Saldaña, who served on all 9 points, said she wanted revenge from a Feb. 26 game against the Tigers.

“I was determined to win,” Saldaña said. “We had lost to them the first time around, so I wanted to come back and beat them.”

Martinez praised Saldaña’s performance, a result of adjustments to the Tigers’ lineup.

“I think she did great,” Martinez said. “I told her to take advantage when their main hitter was in the back row.”

This way, Martinez said, Saldaña would have served to their weak spot in the back left part of the court.

While the Rangers held a small lead most of Game 2, things took a turn for the worst, as an 18-16 advantage turned into a 25-23 loss.

Game 3 saw the Tigers keep a steady lead and hold game point at 24-20, when the hosts called timeout.

“I told them they had to play smart and that instead of hitting, they should dump the ball and make their defense move because there were open pockets,” Martinez said.

Liberal arts freshman Roxanna Saldaña spikes the ball to the other team during the match against St. Philip’s College March 26 in Candler.

Fueling the audience’s fire with each point, the down-but-not-out bunch showed the heart of a lion by forcing a tie and extra points.

However, the Rangers faltered 27-25.

Washington also caused fits by arguing many net plays and being the beneficiary of a questionable Game 3 call, which gave SPC a 19-15 lead.

“Anytime our linesmen would call it out or when she would touch the net and the refs would call it, she would get upset,” Martinez said.

The Lady Rangers ran out of gas on their Game 4 comeback in a 25-22 defeat.

Martinez said she was pleased with her team’s improvement and looks forward to an April 9 tilt at Palo Alto College. The match begins at 7 p.m.

Former college baseball player coaches campus softball team

Photos by Leda Garcia

By James Bosquez

Music freshman Rachel Lochte hits the ball during a game against the Flatliners March 25 at Koger Stokes Softball Complex.

After a five-year hiatus, this college has a softball team once again.

Coach Sam Gallegos, a former college baseball player, has been given free range to resuscitate a softball program by the office of student life.

Gallegos’ baseball roots run deep. He played several infield positions at Ranger College, in Ranger, Texas.

“As soon as I got out of baseball, I started missing it,” Gallegos said.

The team is coed, and any student enrolled in at least two classes and has a 2.0 grade-point average is eligible to play.

The team practices four times each week on weekdays at Brackenridge Park, and games are Wednesdays at Koger Stokes Softball Complex in San Pedro Springs Park.

Gallegos said it is sometimes difficult to get everyone together for practice because of obligations his players sometimes cannot break, such as school and work.

First baseman Tiffany Smith said Gallegos is very understanding of students’ schedules. “He’s very flexible if you can’t make a practice,” Smith said.

Smith said Gallegos does have one firm rule for the team: “No drinking.”

“The players know it is a privilege to play in a program from the ground up,” Gallegos said.

The team plays in the San Antonio City League against businesses and recreational teams.

That hardly curbs the competition, as some of the teams in that league have been playing together for more than eight years, Gallegos said.

Softball coach Sam Gallegos gives words of encouragement to the team after their win against the Flatliners.

The league requires each team to have a minimum of five men and five women, though teams are allowed to have more than 10 players.

The college team has 13 players: eight men and five women.

The team was off to a rocky start, forfeiting its first two games for not having enough players to fill the positions.

A softball or baseball background is not needed to join the team.

“We have one guy who is a soccer player,” Smith said. “He had never played softball before.”

Gallegos also coaches baseball at Stevenson Middle School.

He hopes to visit local high schools and encourage players who may plan on attending an Alamo Community College District college to come to San Antonio College to continue their athletic growth.

Gallegos hopes this will help build the program enough to eventually get a coed league going with surrounding universities and colleges.

The team’s next game will be at 8:50 p.m. April 8 at Koger Stokes. Smith encourages students to come out and show support for the team.

For more information on joining the team next semester, contact the office of student life at 486-0125.

Opinion

18 • April 3, 2009

www.theranger.org • The Ranger Fred Nockroes

Editorials

Use of Blackboard Vista needs re-examining issue. Helen Torres, director of distance education and SAC online, said online enrollment after the spring 2009 Flex 2 census date is 8,075 individual students, compared to 7,905 in spring 2008.

Even if all the kinks are worked out of the system, frequent and inconvenient server downtimes are not acceptable for a system designed to facilitate use for students with unusual or busy schedules.

If the system cannot be accessed easily at least 95 percent of the time, the system is not reliable enough for that high number of online students needing education to fit into their own schedules.

Steps must be taken to ensure online students get the best quality of education, comparable to in-class students, or the online program will be a failure.

The district needs to look at the states of Blackboard Vista and decide a course of action. Either get the system working properly, with minimal downtime and maximum ease of use and accessibility, or identify alternate methods of conducting online classes.

Alignment likely to dumb down colleges The district is moving forward with a plan for curriculum alignment, which is essentially cloning content so it appears students at each of the district colleges have the same classroom experience regardless of which campus they attend.

The first sacrifice under this plan would be a teachers’ experience. If each teacher is forced to teach the same subject matter, where does personal experience get a chance to contribute to the curriculum?

Will colleges then become similar to high schools, where in ENG 1301 we are all reading the same books and poetry? Could a teacher no longer exercise their expertise by assigning literature that strays from the course plan laid out by the district?

This isn’t high school.

The journalism program at San Antonio College is known for being especially rigorous, but will this alignment require that we lower our workload — a minimum of 16 stories to make an A — to accommo-

date students at the other schools who are casually taking a journalism class without the strict publishing requirements we have?

Jobs in this field are competitive enough without taking away the edge we gain by writing for The Ranger.

Where does this equalizing of curriculum end? The San Antonio College men’s basketball team beat out St. Philip’s and Palo Alto colleges in their league championship tournament.

Perhaps all of the schools participating should have been awarded a trophy, so they can all feel good about themselves.

The problem is they would miss out on the powerful experience of hard work leading to success.

Perhaps having each college emphasize its individual strengths would be a more prudent action, rather than dumbing down each college until the only textbook we need is The Idiot’s Guide to College.

Congratulations Student, Government Teachers say it all the time: stand up for yourself and complain if you feel shortchanged or treated unfairly.

Most of the time, that advice goes ignored.

The Ranger wants to congratulate the Student Government Association for its active representation of student interests and for sponsoring a forum to hear concerns among students.

In previous semesters, the Student Government Association has been accused of not representing student issues as well as they could, with the Ranger frequently leading the charge.

But this semester, SGA has worked hard to get its constituents involved. Organizing forums and discussion, standing up for issues that students are going to find

relevant, and making sure that the faculty and staff remain aware that students are worried about the state of the college as well.

The SGA has opened meetings and asked other students what they think is wrong with the college. For the first time in recent years, The Ranger has been invited to meetings.

They are passionate in their fight against rising tuition. Each forum for the executive vice president search had a student representative asking questions of the candidate and taking notes to relay back to the SGA students.

Now the SGA needs to focus on reporting the information they gather back to the students so that everyone can get involved.

Keep up the good work!

RANGER THE

Blackboard Vista is touted as a “learning management system.”

Many are finding, however, that the only thing we are learning is that there is a complete lack of effective management in its implementation.

In spring 2010, Blackboard will be the required server for all online courses. This spring, Blackboard has seen many outages and problems, to the point where some teachers have had to find alternative ways to conduct classes and distribute assignments. It is hard to imagine all the bugs being worked out by January.

The potential of online learning is vast, and in this era of technology that potential should be explored.

Blackboard, in theory, is a great system; some of the resources and features programmed into the system are excellent. But no matter how excellent the design, lack of consistent access is a major hindrance.

Couple that with the learning curve required to use Blackboard Vista, estimated at several days to as long as five weeks, and the cons of using the system begin to outweigh the pros.

Accessibility may be the main

Staff

Editor Trey Randolph Opinion Editor Brianna Roberts Photographers Tyler Cleveland Melissa Toscano Lazcano Photo Team Lexie Burton, José Castillo, Carlos Garcia, Leda Garcia, Destiny Mata Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Fred Nockroes, Edgar Puente Production Manager James Bosquez Production Assistant Laura Garcia Staff Writers Michelle Franco, Alice Gonzalez, Ralonda R. Greene, Giselle Guadron, Rennie Murrell, Jeff Reese, Lea Thompson, Jade Villarreal Web Administrator Charles Cima Circulation Eddie San Miguel The Ranger, the student newspaper at San Antonio College, is a laboratory project of the journalism classes in the Department of Journalism-Photography, published Fridays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

News contributions accepted by telephone (486-1773), by fax (733-2868), by e-mail (sac-ranger@mail.accd.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available upon request (486-1765).

The Ranger is available online at http:// www.theranger.org.

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

©2009 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.

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 Journalism-Photography, 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, e-mailed to sac-ranger@mail.accd. edu or faxed to 733-2868.

Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s printed name, classification, major, Social Security number and telephone number.

For more information, call 486-1773.

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

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.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Budget cuts not change sought Poor investments, poor management and inadequate consumer outrage helped mold our current history into one desperately in need of mindful action.

Why then, when the cards are stacked against American futures, does the state of Texas, which is experiencing some of the least economic impact of the 50, consciously make what is arguably its poorest investment yet?

Guest Viewpoint by Our president calls for a rebirth of Rebecca Ohnemus American ingenuity. He invites students to choose science, math and medicine.

He begs students to bring a creative spark back to American industry.

Yet, Texas students prepare themselves for potential budgetary cuts to the very means of pursuing that education.

Worse than the cuts themselves may be the premise implied: Texas students are not worth the investment.

Has no one stepped back from the panic of economic downturn to begin looking at the larger picture?

Not only are changes needed to respond to our present situation, but foresight is desperately needed to forge a way out.

An investment in education is an investment in the future of our American economy. Texas government has turned a blind eye to educational improvements despite our nation’s need for growth potential.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie has already called for other chancellors and presidents to consider avenues other than cuts to “academic programs” in response to the state’s 2.5 percent cut, knowing that solid academic programs produce results.

The Alamo Community College District will have to make its money.

Tuition hikes have already seen too much of that. Students are appropriately outraged, but what of the statement implied by budgetary cuts in the first place?

Frustration aimed at ACCD misses its mark. Tuition hikes are a symptom, not the disease.

Students should now turn to the state, not the district.

Inquiring minds need to ask, “Are we not worth it?”

Rebecca Ohnemus is a senior at the University of the Incarnate Word where she is majoring in journalism and public speaking.

Op-Ed ‘Bobs’ doing great job Editor: Kudos to the “Bobs” at the St. Philip’s Math World! As a student who has attended SAC for a few years now, I, too, had to take remedial math courses.

The math lab seemed like a daunting place that was too scary to enter. Had I known the people inside were friendly and eager to help us pass the class, I probably would have ventured in.

Students, especially in the remedial courses, need an extra boost and the fun environment and one-on-one experience the tutors are trying to provide seem a sure-fire way to get it.

Great job and keep up the good work, “Bobs”!

Bailey Wallis Public Relations Sophomore

No laughing matter

Editor: I want to thank the Alamo Colleges for bankrolling the recent appearance of the brilliant comedian and satirist Mark Taylor.

On March 26 in McAllister auditorium, Taylor entertained hundreds of San Antonio College faculty and staff with a pitch-perfect imitation of one of those fly-by-night, for-profit, trend-hound “consultants” who have done so much to put American education in the ditch.

Studiously ignoring the real lives and problems of actual SAC students and of the stressedout urban neighborhoods so many of them come from, Taylor told one jokey tale after another about suburban 16-year-olds and their adolescent fixation with electronics and TV. With a straight face, Taylor claimed that research proves that college teachers should stop wasting classroom time with instruction and discussion, and switch over instead to Oprah-style peer-group “activity.” Lectures, he deadpanned, belong on YouTube.

At times, Taylor’s satire was so fervent that one could almost imagine that he was serious.

But there’s no chance that this was the case.

April 3, 2009 • 19

Letters

File Photo

Fine arts sophomore Sable Martinez and liberal arts sophomore Cecily Martinez smoke Jan. 29 north of McCreless Hall on West Courtland and Belknap.

For example, after repeatedly blasting lectures as ineffective, Taylor proceeded to lecture hundreds of experienced SAC teachers for three solid hours — and then skips out without taking a single question or comment.

Such is the essence of true comedy.

In times like these, as SAC students, adjunct faculty, and faculty find themselves on the receiving end of hiring freezes, budget cuts, tuition increases, patronizing rhetoric, and not-so-veiled threats, it’s reassuring to think that the people running things are still willing to expend taxpayers’ dollars to help us look on the lighter side of educational crisis and economic collapse.

As my sainted mother used to say, “Might as well laugh as cry.”

Stephen Badrich English Professor

No secondhand smoke

Editor: I am writing this letter in regard to an oncampus atrocity that occurs every single day on campus.

I’m, of course, talking about smoking on campus, which is not only disgusting and gross but can cause life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer from secondhand inhalation, better known as secondhand smoking.

According to the Reducing Heart Disease

in West Virginia Web site (http://www.wvdhhr.org), “Secondhand smoke has been classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a known cause of lung cancer in humans.”

The cigarette butt and smoke exhaled by the smoker can contain more than 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause lung cancer, according to the American Lung Association Web site http://www.lungusa. org. Yet only slaps on the wrist are being given out to campus violators.

According to the student handbook, Student Responsibilities and Regulations, “Smoke and or using tobacco is prohibited to any property owned, leased, or rented or otherwise under the control of the Alamo Community Colleges including parking lots.”

Yet every single day in the parking lots and next to the McCreless Hall on the stone wall students can be seen kicking back enjoying their tasteful cancer sticks.

The only punishment, according to the handbook, is a small citation which is never given out to any one in clear violation of campus rules. I understand some people have the need to smoke and they paid their money to attend college here.

I, too, have paid my tuition and do not wish to walk around campus having to inhale someone else’s death wish.

Eric Gomez Business Sophomore

20 • April 3, 2009

www.theranger.org • The Ranger Photos by Destiny Mata

Wade Sigue, known as Wade Wonder, does a windmill Tuesday at Lutheran Zion Church. He has been dancing for almost seven years.

B-BOYS king ik cit old school Story by Henry Chavarria • Photos by Destiny Mata

O

n Tuesday, a group of more than 40 youngsters known as Youth Advocacy met at Zion Lutheran Church to practice the art of “B-boying,” a style of break dancing.

Youth Advocacy originated in Houston in 1988 and branched out to San Antonio in 1999 where regional Director Fabian Carr mentors San Antonio’s disenfranchised youth.

Carr and Youth Advocacy use the elements of hip-hop as tools to contest the misconceptions and negative connotations of the hip-hop community. “There is a broad disconnect between corporate America and the inner city youth – one of our goals is to be the bridge between the broad disconnection of the two. Take football players and break-dancers: Our dancers don’t really like to play football, but they will definitely watch it and vice versa,” Carr said.

Higgs Carter King Charter School allowed the members of Youth Advocacy to do a graffiti piece on a wall of the building.

Carr said, “There is a big difference between graffiti and gang writing. You see gang writing crossed out around town all the time, but you don’t see that with graffiti. People appreciate it because graffiti takes time like any other work of art.”

Many members of Youth Advocacy earn scholarships by working up to two 10-month terms as partners with other community organizations in a

pay-it-forward learning experience.

Youth Advocacy AmeriCorps is a national service program funded through the One Star Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Members conduct after-school programs, tutoring and outreach activities for San Antonio nonprofit organizations including the Battered Women’s Shelter, Jefferson High School and Higgs Carter King Charter School. Jaycee Garcia, a radio-television-film sophomore, has been dancing since 1996 and has been a Youth Advocacy member since 2003.

The 24-year-old also plays drums for local band Dance Like Robots.

He attends Youth Advocacy activities every Tuesday and Sunday and will be competing in a two-on-two B-boy battle Saturday.

“B-boying is my sport,” Garcia said. Music business sophomore Jaime Lopez, 34, and better known as JJ Lopez, is a vinyl disc jockey who spins for Youth Advocacy, helping to keep the B-boy culture alive.

“YA provides a liberty of life and expression in a controlled domestic setting, and it’s all through dance,” Lopez said.

Youth Advocacy meets every Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church, 702 Cincinnati, and every Thursday at Agora Ministries, 1807 San Fernando.

For more information, call Carr at 912-6680.

Psychology sophomore Jesus Hernandez busts a move Tuesday at Lutheran Zion Church.

Liberal arts sophomore Veronica De Anda practices her flare which means hands are on the ground during a windmill movement Tuesday at Lutheran Zion Church. She has been dancing for two years and volunteers with Youth Advocacy teaching elementary children to dance.

DJ Jay Lopez and Everest Institute student Brandon Castrol top rocking together while break beats keep playing Tuesday.

Former business student Robert Amador teaches radio-television-film sophomore Jaycee Garcia Tuesday at Lutheran Zion Church.

Former student Robert Amador comments on Everest Institute student Brandon Castrol’s head spin at Lutheran Zion Church Tuesday.

Psychology major Jesus Hernandez dances at the Agora Center at Zarzamora and San Fernando March 26.