The Ranger March 20, 2009

RANGER THE

March 20, 2009

Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Community College District

Volume 83, Issue 18

Single copies free

A forum of free voices

KSYM

Pledge Drive DJ T-Bone begs for help

Tuition hike imminent Page 3

UniďŹ ed logos unveiled Page 7

Men’s b-ball wins tourney Page 14 Photo by Carlos Garcia

2 • March 20, 2009

Trustees 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: jrindfus@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.

Film traces Barbie’s 50 years Online teaching loads under review Accordianist entertains in Loftin Awareness key to coping with menopause, practitoner says Go online to offer your suggestions for expenses in the district that can be cut and to note all the supplies and signs that will have to be replaced in using a unified logo.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Check out library Web site for jobs

By Jeff Reese With graduation and summer approaching, those looking for employment can turn to the library home page to view the career and job finding Web guide.

Librarian John Deosdade, who compiled the guide, did extensive testing to evaluate whether a site should be included.

“In selecting resources for any of my Web guides, I look for sources that have been evaluated in the various academic search engines such as Librarians’ Internet Index,” Deosdade said. “I visit the site and test them to see how user-friendly they are, then I conduct various sample searches to determine

exactly what types of results you receive.”

The guide’s sabados.com link, an extension of magazine “Saludos Hispanicos,” appeals to the local Hispanic population, as it offers a personality test to show what might be an ideal occupation, job openings and a place to submit résumés.

The site, which Deosdade said receives more than 1 million inquiries per month, also lets employers focus searches on bilingual and Hispanic applicants.

While the guide offers links to well-known job search Web sites, such as www.monster.com and www.careerbuilder.com, Deosdade said these two sites could offer

Blotter San Antonio College Feb. 24 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Nail.

An individual reported a verbal disturbance with her child’s father.

Feb. 25 – An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle.

An individual reported feeling ill. EMS treated individual.

Feb. 26 – An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle in Lot 2.

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

An individual reported found property at the law enforcement training center. Item placed in the property locker.

Feb. 27 – District police assisted SAPD with offcampus arrest.

An individual reported an injury in Chance.

Medical treatment refused.

An individual reported vehicle with doors open.

All found to be OK. An individual reported four suspicious males in the area. Males departed area without further incident.

limited job options or damage the user’s computer.

“When you use Monster or other Web sites, you are ‘flying blind’ as to the quality of the information that is being presented,” Deosdade said. “In addition, these resources often include attached cookies that can significantly slow down your computer’s response time.”

Other than links to companies looking for employees and job listings, students can also find out how to ace an interview, write a great résumé or learn typical salaries based on occupation and region.

Richard Bolles, who wrote the job search book “What Color Is Your Parachute?” supplemented his book with www.jobhuntersbible.com, a

Palo Alto College Feb. 24 – An individual reported damage to district property in visitor parking lot.

Feb. 25 – An individual reported found property.

Item placed in property locker.

Feb. 26 – An individual reported found property.

Item placed in property locker.

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

Feb. 27 – An individual reported finding a suspicious note on her vehicle in Lot 1.

site available through the career and job findings guide.

This in-depth site also gives tips for how to research duties of specific careers, links to counselors for jobskills testing that tell what an ideal career might be and ways to establish human networks.

Deosdade said he recommends it mostly because of the access it gives to local jobs.

“The best thing is the listing of major San Antonio area employers with links to their employment, human resources and job openings Web pages,” Deosdade said.

“This listing provides users with an easy to use resource for searching job openings at any major local employer.”

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

An individual reported burglary of vehicle in Lot 8. Individual and vehicle not located.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of the learning and leadership development center.

March 4 – An individual reported feeling ill in campus center. EMS treated individual.

An individual reported feeling ill in applied science. Campus nurse treated individual.

St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus

An individual reported an injury in the gymnasium. EMS treated individual.

Feb. 24 – An individual reported found property.

Item returned to owner.

March 2 – An individual reported lost district property.

Northwest Vista College

An individual reported feeling ill. Medical treatment refused.

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

Officer reported student upset about receiving citation in Lot 3.

March 3 – An individual reported a male and female arguing in Lot 1.

An individual reported a disagreement with unknown female in Lot 3.

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

Feb. 24 –An individual reported a verbal disturbance with another female in Cypress.

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

Individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

Individual reported two suspicious males in the area of Lot 10. Males not located.

Feb. 25 – An individual reported found property.

Item placed in property locker.

Live Oak Building closed. Individual reported unwanted messages.

Individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported two suspicious males in the area of Lot 29.

March 4 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

March 1 – District police assisted SAPD with offcampus assault.

An individual reported personal injury in college student center. EMS treated individual.

An individual reported finding doors unlocked and lights on in Moody.

St. Philip’s College

Feb. 26 – An individual reported a personal injury in Lot 1. Medical treatment refused.

Feb. 24 – An individual reported a dog bite off campus. SAPD advised.

March 2 – An individual reported a minor vehicle accident off campus. SAPD advised.

An individual reported missing district property valued $50 to $500.

March 3 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported a suspicious female in the area of Bowden. Female not located.

March 4 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Lot 8. All found to be secure.

Feb. 25 – An individual reported lost personal property in continuing education center.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Lot 11. Male not located.

An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized.

An individual reported vehicle parked in no parking area near Huisache.

Feb. 27 – An individual reported lost personal property in Norris.

Officer delivered court document to student in Live Oak.

Criminal trespass warning issued to nondistrict related individual in Lot 6.

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

March 2 – An individual reported theft of personal property in the gym valued $50 to $500.

No suspects were located.

Northeast Lakeview College

March 2 – An individual reported personal injury in Chance.

An individual reported someone taking her backpack by mistake. Backpack returned to owner.

An individual reported theft of personal property valued between $50 and $500 in Moody.

March 3 – An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

An individual reported a personal vehicle burglarized in the area of Park Place.

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

March 4 – An individual reported feeling ill.

EMS treated individual.

Criminal trespass warning issued to nondistrict related individual.

An individual reported theft of a motorcycle in Lot 16 valued $1,500 to $20,000. No suspects were located.

An individual reported theft of personal property in Moody valued $50 to $500.

An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of Loftin. Male not located.

An individual reported theft of district property in Chance valued $500 to $1,500.

An individual reported damage to a personal vehicle.

March 3 – An individual reported personal injury in Lot 20. Medical treatment refused.

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

An individual reported tape on projector sensor causing it not to work properly.

Feb. 24 –An individual reported found property.

Item placed in property locker.

Feb. 25 – An individual reported a suspicious male in the area of the physical plant. All found to be OK. An individual reported found property. Item placed in property locker.

Feb. 26 –An individual reported lost personal property in the science building.

Feb. 27 – An individual reported personal vehicle stolen valued $1,500 to $20,000.

March 3 – An individual a reported personal vehicle missing in Lot 6.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

March 20, 2009 • 3

Board increases tuition to offset budget shortfalls

By Martin Herrera Amid vocal opposition from students and representatives from the League of United Latin American Citizens, the board of trustees narrowly approved Tuesday a tuition increase for the fall semester in a 5-4 vote.

Voting to increase tuition were Board Chairman Denver McClendon, and trustees Charles Conner, Gary Beitzel, Dr. Gene Sprague and Dr. Bernard Weiner.

Projected to increase revenue by $4 million in the next fiscal year, James McLaughlin, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said trustees are attempting to chip away at a $21 million shortfall in the budget.

The new flat rate, including pledged tuition, for the first six hours of an in-district student starting in fall will be $446, up from $422 currently.

Students from outside of the district currently paying $686 will now pay $746, and out-of-state students will pay $1,346, up from $1,214.

The flat rate for the first 18 hours of an international student did not see an increase; however, the cost of additional hours increased to $210.

Facing the prospect of decreased revenue from falling property appraisals and ongoing discussion in the Texas Legislature to decrease state fund-

“

That the board would choose to further burden students by increasing tuition is hardly an example of behavior that illustrates concern for our ability to successfully complete our education.

Julianne Cantu president, Student Government Association

ing, trustees said they were reluctant to make the increase.

District 6 trustee Sprague told the audience, “We never want to raise tuition.”

Supporting the increase, District 7 trustee Conner echoed Sprague’s sentiment.

“We have to educate the community … We have to keep this institution going. … Not that we want to (approve the increase) but that’s what it’s going to take to keep things going,” Conner said.

Understanding the need to shore up revenues, District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said he could not support the tuition increase “in its current form.”

Rindfuss asked staff to look for other opportunities to generate income, to include the restructuring of parking fees.

Knowing a parking fee increase would not be sufficient to make up the entire shortfall, Rindfuss said he didn’t think the current fee structure is enough to even support the department of public safety.

McLaughlin said options in addition to the tuition increase will be considered in the coming weeks.

Hesitating to elaborate until the options are more thoroughly vetted, McLaughlin said after the meeting that cuts would come from the administrative budget.

Acknowledging current economic challenges faced by the district, Julianne Cantu, Student Government Association president here, chastised trustees during the meeting.

“That the board would choose to further burden students by increasing tuition is hardly an example of behavior that illustrates concern for our ability to successfully complete our education,” she said.

Cantu suggested a half-cent increase in property taxes would generate twice the amount projected by the increased tuition.

Reluctant to increase the tax rate, Sprague said property owners have been providing larger contributions each year with rising appraisal values.

District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate was more pes-

District tuition (Student activity fee adds $1 per credit hour)

Source: Agenda Item 8 of March 17 board meeting

Students want more information

By Trey Randolph

Cash-strapped students have yet another dark cloud looming on the economic horizon.

Trustees approved a tuition hike Tuesday night effective in the fall that they believe will offset some of the $21 million shortfall in the current budget.

Students do not have such high hopes for the tuition increase.

Crystal Moreno, public relations sophomore, said with the current state of the economy, now is not the time to increase tuition.

“The way times are right now,” Moreno said, “I think it’s a bad idea to raise tuition because that might cause people to not even go to school at all.”

Anthropology sophomore Amanda Maloy wants the district to release more information concerning how the additional money will be spent.

“I think they should (provide more details on) what it’s about,” Maloy said. “If we don’t know what our money is going to, then why should we (pay it)?”

One student who didn’t wish to be identified said that while she would not be at this college next semester because she is transferring to a four-year institution, the increase seems “unnecessary and expensive” considering the current economic climate.

James McLaughlin, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said Tuesday there were actually two proposals submitted to the trustees.

The first proposal was a 5 percent increase in tuition across the board, and the second to “close the gap” between the in-district, instate/out-of-district and out-of-state rates, meaning a smaller price difference between in- and out-of-district students.

For out-of-district and out-of-state students, McLaughlin said the trustees were to be asked to “close the gap between a relationship that once existed where the out-ofdistrict student paid twice the in-district rate and the out-of-state student paid four times the in-district rate” over the course of the next two years.

Starting fall semester, in-district students will see tuition increase by about 5 percent, while in-state, out-of-district students will see about 8 percent and out-of-state students will see a 10 percent to 11 percent increase.

McLaughlin added tuition changes being announced during spring semester are common at many colleges around the country, and students should not be surprised.

“They know that the trustees have historically taken action during the spring of the year,” he said. “Last year, there basically was an effort made to primarily eliminate a whole bunch of fees, and in the process, not increase the tuition by more than what it would take to offset the revenue lost from all those fees.”

He said those changes resulted in “effectively a zero effect,” change for students, adding last year, the trustees “did not have what they believe to be an increase.”

The meeting March 11, 2008, consolidated many fees, such as registration and library upgrade fees, and raised tuition by about $7 per credit hour. A tuition freeze program also was created during the meeting, allowing qualified students to lock in a rate and avoid future increases.

To qualify, students must have 12 credit hours or less, maintain a 2.0 grade-pointaverage, and take at least nine credit hours each in spring and fall plus three hours in summer. They must also meet with a counselor to assure they are on pace to graduate in three years.

This year’s tuition increase comes on the heels of a 30 percent cut from all departments at this college this semester, as well as a proposed cut of state-provided funds by 2.5 percent from the district as a whole.

The San Antonio Express-News reported March 17 about the possibility of tuition increases, but cited a seven-county taxing district. The seven-county district refers not to taxing districts but to the service area covered by the district.

Only Bexar County property owners are taxed to support the district, with the 2008 rate at about 13.5 cents per $100 property tax paid, according to the county tax collector’s Web site. The service area refers to the district offering classes in other counties.

Students in the seven-county service area pay out-of-district tuition.

Despite the increased tuition, McLaughlin believes there will not be an adverse affect.

“Any time you change the relationship that the college may have with their students or potential future students, it could

“

Student group intends to organize districtwide opposition effort.

have an effect,” he said. “The real question is whether there are other variables going on that might moderate that.”

He also said he believes the current state of the economy could increase enrollment, requiring the trustees to take action.

“The economy is not as robust as it could be, so the likelihood of those individuals in the community wanting to return for additional training is very high,” he said. “The cost of providing that, which is an obligation of the trustees, is going to be very great, but they‘re going to want to provide it.”

McLaughlin said that while some current students may be put off by a tuition increase, incoming students may not even notice or may just consider it a normal part of the education experience.

“It’s unlikely that they would immediately look at that increase as a major factor in whether they chose to return to college or not,” he said. “The current rate would be unknown to them so most likely that would just be a part of the decision. For students who are (already) here, there will be some disappointment very likely that there’s been any change because they’ve probably been planning ahead.”

“At the same time, the trustees must consider this, there are issues of what (might) happen with the state funds that come to the district next year from the state of Texas,” he said, referring to the recent notice sent by the lieutenant governor to state agencies, including the district, to prepare for a potential 2.5 percent cut.

“There is an expectation that the amount of money that will come from local property tax owners will be much lower next year as well,” he added.

Those two factors, as well as tuition, are “the three variables the trustees have to balance together to figure out how the budget will come together. The fourth issue is that the trustees, in approving the current budget from the district, approved it in a manner that they had to borrow about $14.6 million from its fund balance. Think of it as a savings account. To the extent that any recurring revenues or expenses that they can reduce would cut into that 14.6, that will, I’m sure, have an effect on the trustees’ action.”

simistic about the feasibility of increasing the tax rate because of the economy’s effect on property values. “That can go down this year, and probably will go down this year, and I’m concerned about that,” Zárate said.

Some citizens-to-be-heard were more direct in their comments.

Angie Garcia from LULAC said, “You need to work out something else. … we barely can pay our bills. Do you think we are going to be able to pay for our children to go to school?”

Not all trustees were supportive of the increase even though they understand the need for it.

District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas attempted to table the item, calling for a more thorough review of the proposal.

Supporting his effort was District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante.

The majority, however, felt pressured to make a decision now as fall registration traditionally begins in April.

Nursing sophomore Jena Olvera, a Student Government Association commissioner-at-large, was disappointed with the board’s decision.

Olvera, a work-study student, said she is considering a second job to keep up with expenses.

The association is holding an open forum at 2 p.m. Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Olvera and Cantu are counting on students to show up to plan outreach to students throughout the district to oppose the increase.

Committee sorts suggestions for budget cuts Vice chancellor advises caution in district purchases until shortfall is overcome.

By Trey Randolph

Chancellor Bruce Leslie sent out a memorandum March 2 informing staff the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house had sent a letter to state agencies, including the Texas Association of Community Colleges, requesting they be prepared to reduce 2.5 percent of the current year’s state allocation of $67.8 million.

While the cut “would suggest the 2.5 percent cut would come from our academic programs,” Leslie asked the presidents and vice chancellors to “look to all areas to fulfill this obligation.”

James McLaughlin, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said Thursday that the state funds are “put in a pool of dollars” with other funds from such things as tuition and property tax allocations, and the district distributes these funds as needed.

McLaughlin could not remember the exact date of when the district responded to the state with how they would meet the cuts, but said it was during “the first 10 days of March.”

If the cuts are enacted, a loss of 2.5 percent would mean almost $1.7 million less in funding for the district, but McLaughlin was unable to give specific numbers for each college.

While Leslie emphasized the state has instructed agencies to be prepared and has not yet ordered the cuts, the district is looking for ways to “be prepared if they pull the trigger.”

To prepare, Leslie set up a three-step process to “improve efficiencies and save money,” starting in December a suggestion box program for employees to share cost-cutting ideas.

He also set up the Chancellor’s Suggestion Box Committee to organize suggestions that “have the greatest potential of immediate cost saving or revenue generation.” Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, said the suggestion box initiative has been a “huge success” with more than 400 suggestions submitted, some from anonymous sources.

“None of these should have an adverse effect on teaching or learning for faculty or students,” he said, adding that most suggestions are very good.

The suggestion box is available online at Cleary’s district Web page, but Cleary said the box was not currently working because of the “tremendous amounts of respondents” from all campuses that need to be sorted.

“They came up with a lot of different ideas,” he said. “The problem is it’s a lot to sift through.”

He added the box will be reopened soon for more suggestions because he saw many suggestions to keep the box open.

The committee met Wednesday, but Cleary said no suggestions were implemented during that meeting. He added they will be meeting “the week after next” to rate suggestions and decide which suggestions are best, but said no specific date had been scheduled.

Leslie’s second step to address potential budget cuts is a hiring “chill” on “all but the most strategic hiring” to “target filling only those positions that clearly generate either savings or greater revenues.” Cleary said the hiring chill was an attempt to “examine all open positions and see if we can get by, and take an extra effort not to fill every position that opens up.

“With the current economic situation, the idea is to divert as many dollars as possible to academics and student services,” he added.

Leslie’s third step is for “each member of the (district) family (to) be careful in purchases ensuring that only those purchases that have the greatest need and impact are completed throughout the rest of the fiscal year.”

4 • March 20, 2009

People

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

Tyler Cleveland

Grand opening:

Manuel Macias and Mariachi Sonido Del Alma sing “My Girl” to marketing sophomore Elizabeth Segapeli and marketing sophomore Paige Johnson during the grand opening of the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry at the Catholic Student Center March 5. The food pantry is open to students and employees from noon-2 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Josh Macias

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Bible talks:

José Lozano, Mission Point Christian Church intern, leads Bible talks with members of UTSA Alpha Omega student organization and other students March 18 in the mall. All students are welcome to join at 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Passing time:

Photography freshman Esther Reyes tosses a soccer ball to psychology freshman Wii Nguyen as music freshman Matt Sanchez, left standing, psychology freshman Raquel Reyes and music freshman Miles Ramirez watch Monday west of Moody.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Power push: Liberal arts sophomore Jerry Martinez spots education sophomore Alvaro Ramirez, lifting weights, while fire science sophomore Ross Saunders looks on Tuesday in Candler. The three are in a beginning weight training class with Professor Ronny Culpepper.

Woman pride: Barbara White dances to the Cuban rap duo “Las Krudas.” Odaymara Cuesta, from left, and Olivia Prendes perform at the March 7 rally for the International Woman’s Day March at Milam Park.

Ball play: Engineering sophomore Zamani Khumalo helps liberal arts freshman Susannah Rodriquez decide where to hit the ball during a game of pool Monday in Loftin.

Carlos Garcia

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

District to test alert system here Monday

March 20, 2009 • 5

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

By Vanessa M. Sanchez Students may be receiving text messages, phone calls, voice mails along with e-mail from the district, not knowing why.

The reason behind it all was to create a channel of communication between the district and students informing them about weather interruptions or emergencies.

Kay Hendricks, coordinator of communications, said there was no one reason that triggered the decision to use an emergency notification system, such as last year’s shooting of the Northeast Lakeview librarian Oct. 6, but it was the “most effective way to notify students and faculty” of anything.

Hendricks said a lot of colleges and universities are using a similar notification system as well, which makes it easier to inform students of anything they need to know.

Hendricks said the district is scheduling college and districtwide testing as well.

Deborah Martin, director of public relations at this college, said all students are automatically signed up for the alerts when they register for classes; however, if students want to update information, they can do so online at www.accd. edu/emergency.

On the site, there are student help guides visually showing how a student can update information through PALS. There is also a link for an employee help guide to assist employees to register, but if using a Mac, one has to channel through Web for Employees because of a glitch in the system.

The next notification alert is scheduled for Monday for this college, Northwest Vista and St. Philip’s College.

Palo Alto and Northeast Lakeview are scheduled to have the same test run on Tuesday.

The system can message up to six numbers: home, numerous cell phones, work or any other number; the more information one inputs to the system, the more ways the person can receive the message which makes it more effective.

There are also messages sent to TTY/TDD receiving devices for those who need it.

The emergency notification system’s Web site also stated: “It is essential for students and employees to keep their contact information updated.”

To update information or add on more before the alerts, visit the emergency notification system’s site www.accd.edu.

Graduation deadline March 27

By Vanessa M. Sanchez

Angelita Reyes, administrative assistant sophomore, enters an iPod Shuffle raffle because she was wearing a red graduation button Wednesday in the mall. The promotion features President Robert Zeigler, Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, and Dr. Jessica Howard, interim executive vice president, dressed in graduation gowns reminding students on campus of the importance of graduation.

President Robert Zeigler, Interim Vice President Jessica Howard, and Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, paraded the campus’ mall Wednesday in their own doctoral caps and gowns reminding students that it is not too late to register for graduation.

The school distributed red buttons to faculty chairs with the saying: “Don’t just transfer … graduate!” that they pinned on one student in their departments.

Howard said those students who received a button might not be graduating, but it is still a good idea for them to wear it to advise their peers on the upcoming spring graduation deadline of March 27.

She said the college is specifically trying to let others know “it’s not too late.”

She said the goal of the red button project is to make more students aware of graduation in general, whether preparing for it now, or considering it for the future.

The three were out for the first time at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the mall looking for students wearing the button.

Krueger said the three would be in the mall at various times, including two evenings until the deadline.

Once a red button is spotted, the administrators collect that student’s information for a drawing for an iPod. The drawing is scheduled for March 27; at least six iPod shuffles will be awarded to those students seen wearing the buttons and entered in the drawing.

To have more students join in the red button graduation promotion, there is a PDF file online available for everyone to download and wear. Buttons can be printed by clicking on it at www.accd.edu/sac.

The gowns worn by administration are different because each went to different schools; the color on the hood is also different because it represents the degree they earned.

To register for graduation, see a counselor or contact the major department chair for more information.

Graduation is at 10 a.m. May 9.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

6• March 20, 2009

College teachers group tracks pending legislation in Austin

By Sharon Hensley

“Building a Better Texas” is the Texas Community College Teachers Association’s theme this year. TCCTA members participated in Community College Day Feb. 19 at the state Capitol in Austin to further this goal.

The regular session of the 81st Texas Legislature began in January, and since then, more than 100 bills relating to higher education have gone to committee.

TCCTA is keeping track of 82 bills that could directly affect the students, faculty and staff of community colleges.

Senate Bill 454 relates to increasing the affordability of textbooks used for higher education courses at public institutions.

SB41 addresses proportionality in the health benefits of junior college employees. Proportionality would base funds for these employees on the state’s portion of community college funding.

TCCTA and the Texas Association of Community Colleges oppose this method. According to the TCCTA blog, “This would result in a drastic reduction in revenue for health benefits and make it difficult to The rotunda at the state Capitol in Austin recruit and retain talented educators.”

TCCTA President Revis Bell said it was important for community college educators to participate in the legislative process by voicing their experiences, and any concerns, to their lawmakers.

“Social responsibility is one of the main focal points of my presidency,” Bell said.

Bell said members of the Senate and House Higher Education Committees do have positions on the bills they will be voting on,

but are receptive to input from TCCTA members that could possibly affect their votes.

Bell also said two of the biggest issues TCCTA is interested in this legislative session are textbook prices and proportionality.

“Any way you look at it, our students need to be able to afford the textbooks,” Bell said. “We (community colleges) have a very important part in the education of the citizenry of Texas, which directly impacts the workforce of the 21st century.”

Suzanna Miller, surgical technology program coordinator at Galveston College who attended Community College Day for the first time, used the meeting as a learning experience.

“It’s good to come, so that we’ll learn the process, and be more prepared next time,” Miller said. “Voices speak volumes.”

Miller said she was interested in appropriation and the cost of textbooks.

“I think textbooks should not cost more than the cost of tuition,” Miller said. “In any given situation, there is always room for give and take.

“The publishers should look at it from the students’ point of view. Some students don’t come because it is cost prohibitive,” Miller said.

TCCTA lobbyist Beaman Floyd was available to advise participating educators.

“I would say that the most important thing I do is educate both my clients about the Legislature, and the legislators about my clients,” Floyd said.

“I have had the good fortune in my career to choose clients whose positions I agree with.

“The underlying value of my job is I get to facilitate freedom of assembly,” Floyd said.

Photos by Tyler Cleveland

Texas Community Colleges Teachers Association lobbyist Beaman Floyd laughs with TCCTA representatives and President Revis Bell, right, at the state Capitol Feb. 19 in Austin.

For more information on TCCTA, visit tccta.org.

Floyd continued, “There is an unhealthy aspect of politics where people rant, and it doesn’t accomplish anything. It’s not like you have a license to yell at your elected officials. Nor do you defer and say, ‘This person is important, and I’m not.’

“I think there needs to be a healthy accountability in government.

When you get people who come in and communicate in a real way with policymakers, it’s very powerful,” Floyd said.

TCCTA’s 62nd annual convention was scheduled to coincide with Community College Day. Psychology Chair Thomas E. Billimek said reduced funding may have deterred some faculty members from going.

“Typically, the college paid for the registration fee, and $100 for travel expenses. This year, the college paid $75 for the registration, and $25 for travel. I think most of us would rather have funding for the summer session than for the convention,” Billimek said.

On Feb. 12, President Robert Zeigler gave department chairs a choice between cutting 30 percent of their operating budgets, or offering summer courses. Every departmental account was reduced

by Feb. 16.

Zeigler said the budget was not an attendance factor.

“The funding was reduced due to general budget concerns.” In the past the registration was $50 and the college paid a total of $150, Zeigler said.

“This year 79 went, last year only 50, and the year before, about 83 went,” Zeigler said.

“The numbers do not show that people did not go due to the cuts.”

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Board accepts new logo Existing college logos to be replaced with “coordinated look” to promote the feel of a unified system.

By Martin Herrera

A recent survey assessing the community’s perception of the district colleges revealed less than stellar marks to the board of trustees Tuesday.

Charles Anderson, chief executive officer for Anderson Marketing Group, told trustees, “Many (high school) students think that the educational product is substandard at the five colleges and merits consideration only as a fallback choice.”

When compared to higher education institutions, Anderson said, opinion leaders were “less likely to grade the Alamo Community Colleges as providing a quality education and service to the San Antonio community.”

Dr. Susan Korbel, founding owner of Core Research, said the survey was directed at high school students — potential consumers of the district — and opinion leaders who might be asked to support and promote different aspects of the district.

The latter group, including CEOs of corporations, nonprofit organizations and elected officials, participated in a Web survey.

High school students were contacted by phone and at college fairs throughout the community.

Anderson, displaying the various logos of the five colleges, said one of the reasons for the negative perception is the lack of a common identity among the colleges.

When high school students were asked to identify which college the various logos belonged to, only 29 percent could identify San Antonio College.

When asked if they were familiar with a specific college, San Antonio College again topped the district with 53 percent of respondents saying they were “very familiar” with it. Only UTSA brushed the college aside with 70 percent recognition.

The remaining four colleges consistently ranked below the visibility of San Antonio College, including the district itself, which trailed all colleges except the newer Northeast Lakeview.

Even Incarnate Word and St. Mary’s universities came in under San Antonio College.

Consumers are confused, however, about who the district is, Anderson said, and do not fully appreciate the impact of the district as a whole in the community.

“The name ‘Alamo Community Colleges’ is low in awareness among opinion leaders,” he said.

Shortened from the legal name Alamo Community College District in February 2007, the name was often confused with Austin Community College.

Dr. Gene Sprague, District 6 trustee, recalled the problem of name recognition experienced by the district in the campaign to get voters to approve the bond.

“Almost everybody I talked to knows our colleges if you bring up their name; they just don’t know their association,” he said.

Korbel told the trustees having multiple logos “drives a perception that the district and the colleges are small and creates a consumer reaction which causes confusion.”

Jim Dublin, chairman of Dublin & Associates, told trustees the word “community” was removed from the new logo “because of the negativity and the smallness that unfortunately is perceived by many of the audiences that we talked to.”

Chancellor Bruce Leslie reminded trustees the issue had been looked at years before, with the first study in 1988, then again in 2005. The current survey is the third time the issue has been studied, each one culminating with similar recommendations.

Trustees agreed with the findings and recommendation by recalling previous marketing campaigns.

“We fought this issue (name recognition) in our bond election,” Sprague said.

District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas was concerned about the $25,000 estimated cost to change signage even though he agreed with the findings.

“I like the concept, but I just believe the timing is wrong,” he said.

The troubled economy, however, is the reason some trustees ultimately supported the change.

District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said, “We are in economic hard times and if we were to unify our message as one, we could probably have a tremendous savings.

“If we were to take the budget for all five colleges and just cut it in half and then go with this one branded logo we’ll probably have far more results from that than what we’re now getting from five different advertising budgets.”

March 20, 2009 • 7

Senate rages over new logo Dean updates continuing education logistics and mission.

By Brianna Roberts Along with the tuition increase for students, Faculty Senate is up in arms about the new district logo.

The new logo features the district predominantly, with the college name in small print. It also shortens the name of the district to Alamo Colleges.

It was approved by the board of trustees during Tuesday’s board meeting.

Every senator in the room Wednesday was outraged by the new development, and several felt that it took away from the colleges’ uniqueness.

The logo was recommended by outside marketing firms based on data that showed that recognition of the Alamo Community College District was low compared to the colleges.

This college had about 53 percent recognition, second only to recognition of the University of Texas at San Antonio, Chair Paula McKenna said.

McKenna pointed out that colleges with the highest recognition rates were the ones that were the oldest.

Members pointed out that changing the logos would mean changing every piece of letterhead and every place where the logo is shown.

They also pointed out that they had just ordered new cards because of the change in phone numbers.

“I know it’s a done deal, but I want to cause a stink,” McKenna said.

The Faculty Senate asked The Ranger to step out of the room while they discussed how to respond to the logo.

English Professor Dawn Elmore-McCrary said that she had visited the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Web site over spring break and had looked up the procedure to turn a district of colleges into a college with several campuses and found that it wasn’t very hard.

In addition to the logo, Faculty Senate was upset about the increase in tuition.

Theater and Speech Communication Chair Jeff Hunt felt that funds should have been pulled from increased taxes instead of putting the burden all on students.

The discussions about Tuesday’s board

meeting took place after a presentation by Tim Rockey, dean of continuing education training network.

Rockey was brought in because Faculty Senate had questions about continuing education’s use of classrooms in the nursing and allied health complex and what the division was in general.

“Our students just want the meat and potatoes,” Rockey said Rockey described continuing education students as people who had been out of the workforce for a while and tried to get back in, only to realize they didn’t have the skills, or people who wanted to make a shift in their current careers.

“Our primary focus is on workforce education.” Rockey described the programs in the continuing education division, including the emergency medical technician training, teacher certification and law enforcement.

Rockey said that his division is not a line item in the budget and must project income for the next year and then make that goal.

Two new programs that the continuing education division is going to be offering are in green technology and park ranger training.

Rockey also discussed the clinic in the nursing and allied health complex.

When the building was first constructed, the clinic was going to be used as a community clinic. However, through a series of events, continuing education received the building.

Now, the continuing education division is planning on using the clinic for lab simulations for the medical front and back office classes, the pharmacy technicians, the insurance classes and EMT classes. However, most of the equipment is still in boxes.

“The medical front office students don’t need the equipment and the medical back office students haven’t moved over there yet.”

The continuing education division may offer drug tests, physicals and psychological tests to meet Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education standards at a lower price than if students went outside the college.

“Not all of the students are eligible for financial aid. A lot of (the law enforcement students) work as jailers and make just enough to be exempt from it,” Rockey said.

“We’re in this to be partners,” Rockey said.

“If there’s anything we can do together, let’s do it.”

Premiere

8 • The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Scobee Planetarium expands horizons

March 20. 2009 • 9 Photos by Tyler Cleveland

New club targets nontraditional students Many returning students may be considered nontraditional.

By Lea Thompson The new Non-Traditional Student Club celebrated becoming an official organization recognized by the office of student life with cake and punch Monday at the Seguir Adelante Community Center.

The club is geared to help students successfully transition into education and offers opportunities to become more involved in the community.

A nontraditional student, by the club’s definition, is someone who works full time, is a single parent, has been out of high school or is returning to college after five years or more, is a first-generation college student or completed high school with General Education Development.

However, the club welcomes all students taking at least six hours this semester.

“If you think you’re a nontraditional student, you probably are,” said President Gino Benavides, a CLS sophomore. “We are here to perpetuate the careers of those people who need help.”

Black holes and close-ups of Saturn are features of two new programs available free to students.

By Ralonda R. Green If you are an astronomy fan — or you enjoy digital motion theater and don’t want to pay high IMAX theater prices — then the Scobee Planetarium is for you.

The planetarium has purchased two new shows called “Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens” and “Extreme Planets.”

Planetarium Coordinator Bryan Snow said, “Astronomers are discovering more and more planets beyond our own solar system.

“The result is we take a look at some of the planets that could be around a variety of different types of stars, and also planets that are much closer to an apparent star than our own Earth is, which would indicate that some of them could be molten-lava type planets.”

Snow continued, “Some of them can have many hydrocarbons; our own distant worlds and our own solar system — some of the moons have hydrocarbon rain.”

Snow said the program analyzes these very “strange types of planets” that are being discovered.

The second program on Saturn takes a look at information and photos from the space probe orbiting Saturn now as well as the probes it sent into its atmosphere.

“So we’re able to put together probably the best view of what Saturn would look like, short of traveling there yourself,” Snow said.

The high-definition production is positioned all around the audience, giving a more motion theater feel to what the audience is viewing. Snow said this is “immersive video.”

The programs were produced by Clark Planetarium in The Digistar III projector displays the new programs obSalt Lake City and cost about $5,000 and $8,000. tained by Scobee Planetarium.

Snow said some programs can cost as much as $10,000.

“Those people that come to the shows pay for the There are two other shows offered at Scobee shows,” Snow said. “The college did not have to pay a Planetarium. penny out of their pockets to pay for that. Of course, they “The ‘Ultimate Universe’ show is for mature audiences,” did pay for the planetarium itself.”

Gina Gutierrez, Scobee reservation secretary, said. “It has Clark Planetarium a more IMAX feeling like Programs Manager Mike you’re really taking a jourFor information on Scobee Planetarium, Murray said this college ney. This show is for fourth chose a perpetual license graders through adult level, visit www.accd.edu/sac/ce/scobee. period, which costs $5,900 no one under the age of 6 For more information about Clark per show. allowed.”

Planetarium, call 801-456-4949 or visit www.

He said this is inexpenGutierrez said that they clarkplanetarium.org/distribution. sive for the new “digital warn people with motion dome theater” industry sickness that there is going because it can cost more than $250,000 just to produce a to be a little bit of movement, but it is very rare for anyone single show. to get sick.

Licenses for larger, major public operations can cost “Black Holes” is based on Einstein’s theory of relativity. more than $25,000.

Gutierrez said it makes the audience feel that they are “These funds are what we use to pay for our production really in a black hole and describes what black holes are costs,” Murray said. and where they come from.

“We have been very happy to work with Bob Kelly and Admission to Friday public shows for children ages 4-17 the Scobee Planetarium because they represent one of the is $2; adults ages 18-54, $5; seniors ages 55 and older, $3. most active and popular planetariums in that part of the Students and employees of the Alamo Community country.”

College District are free with ID.

Benavides left college after a year and a half; the tuition was too expensive for him.

He joined and served in the military for eight years before deciding to come back to school. He plans to earn his associate degree within the next year.

The Seguir Adelante Center offers tutoring for classes and concepts and training for technology and job skills.

Benavides said many nontraditional students are unable to join clubs on campus because they can’t attend meetings; they have to work or take care of children.

Others can’t qualify for academic clubs because their returning grade-point-average is not high enough.

Meeting attendance is not required for interested students; they are able to participate in activities and take advantage of the educational resources during their available time.

Maria Jimenez, student services assistant at the center, thought of the club idea when she returned to college in 2003.

Jimenez said the unfamiliar classroom environment, technology and younger classmates intimidated her; she knew a club could help others like her.

Jimenez received positive feedback

about the club idea from the services for women and nontraditional students office.

She worked with counselor Melissa FloresValencia, who agreed to serve as adviser to the club to make the organization official.

Most of the members were single parents trying to balance their family, full-time jobs and education.

The group took turns discussing their fears and expectations in returning to school, while others were able to offer advice and encouragement on how to succeed.

“I truly believe if we stick together as a group, work together and help each other, we will successfully further our education,” Jimenez said.

The club is planning group activities and community service outings as an opportunity for nontraditional students to connect with each other and become more involved in their community.

The next meeting will be from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday in the Seguir Adelante Center, 703 Howard St. Center hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. but closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Monday-Friday Call 486-1590 for more information.

Local celeb DJs head pledge drive

KTSA at 10 a.m. Wednesday; Quinn of KISS 99.5, 11 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday; and Jill Michaels of Magic 105.3, 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The average spot for a guest

By Jason Trevino DJ is about one hour, but some may stay longer, Palacios said.

The upcoming pledge drive Sonny Melendrez, online KSYM 90.1 has recruited a hand- radio host at sonnyradio.com, ful of new disc jockeys for the a SAC alumnus, and Scheppke 16th annual event taking place started their careers by particiMonday through March 29. pating in college radio stations.

The opening day of the drive “I’ve done it for 20-some odd KSYM 90.1 will showcase Mark years, anything for a college Carrillo, voice of commercials radio station. That’s where I for Ancira auto dealerships, got my start,” Scheppke said at 1 p.m. and Tom “T-Bone” Wednesday.

Scheppke from radio station He explained how he chose KZEP 104.5 at 7 p.m. entertainment as a career.

KSYM is averaging about “I took a speech class and two DJs for each day of the the teacher said I had a nice pledge drive. voice. It was history from then “Realistically, we would like on,” he said. to have five more DJs for the Scheppke has taught in this drive,” Joey Palacios, assistant college’s radio-television-film program director, said Tuesday. department and has had shows Volunteer DJs include Crystal on KSYM. Stone of Magic 105.3, who will Sonny Melendrez, twice go on at 11 a.m. Tuesday the 24 named Billboard magazine’s until about 1 p.m.

“Radio personality of the year,” Others scheduled are is no stranger to the KSYM talk show host Trey Ware of pledge drive.

Carlos Garcia

Sonny Melendrez and “T-Bone” among DJs scheduled.

T-bone, San Antonio’s classical rock station KZEP 104.5 disc jockey, speaks to listeners as they request their favorite songs. He will be helping to raise money for KSYM 90.1.

Giving back to the community has always been a staple in Melendrez’s career.

A native of San Antonio, Melendrez will be volunteering his time at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The pledge drive will run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. throughout the week.

Premiums donated by local

50 years of Bach recitals continue

businesses will be given away by guest DJs to listeners, and all proceeds will go toward future renovations and licensing fees for KSYM. An on-air mention will be given in return for donations.

To donate premiums or make pledges or for more information, call 486-KSYM or 486-5796.

Leda Garcia

By Lea Thompson

The new Digistar III projector plays the trailer of “Black Holes” in the Scobee Planetarium Feb. 20.

“Black Holes” can be seen at 7:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays.

The department of music and humanities will present the Bach “50” Birthday Recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The recital will solely feature music by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The department began celebrating the composer’s work 50 years ago, and it has since become a tradition. Opera, choir solos and the string ensemble can be expected in the concert.

“Bach, Mozart and Beethoven are the three most important composers in classical Edgar Puente

Music Professor Cindy Sanchez conducts the string ensemble’s rehearsal March 17 for the Bach “50” Birthday Recital at McAllister. The performance will be Tuesday. music but Bach is the greatest composer of all time,” interim department Chair Mary Lou Russell said March 4. “We try to celebrate him with the concert.”

By Wednesday, the program was not

complete and a spokesperson for the department did not know what musical selections would be featured.

The event is free and open to the public.

Call 486-0255 for more information.

10 • March 20, 2009

Upcoming

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

New math software helps students

By Theodore Knapinsky

“Know1ng” Director: Alex Proyas Producer: Topher Dow, Jason Blumenthal and Todd Black Actors: Nicolas Cage, Lara Robinson, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury and Ben Mendelsohn Rated: PG-13 Plot: When a time capsule from a William Dawes Elementary School student is used to commemorate the first day of school in 1959, the class is told to create pictures of what they believe the future will look like.

Fifty years later, Chandler Canterbury, along with the rest of the school, receives one of those drawings, but when his turns out to be a paper with numbers on it, he takes it home to try to unscramble it. It is then that his father, Nicolas Cage, a professor at MIT, takes it to give it back to the school, but before doing so, he gives it a look.

John speculates that the paper predicted all major tragedies of the previous 50 years, and he sees that 81 people will die the next day.

When he realizes that he was correct in his guess, he tries to find meaning in it all, and when he does, the movie becomes a story of one man, doing as much as he can to keep his family safe from the upcoming events and “the whispers.”

The movie has a good storyline and covers everything from sci-fi and horror to suspense and action.

In theaters: Today Rating: JJJJ Vanessa M. Sanchez

For those who struggle in math, the Basic Skills Enrichment Program can help students with an easy transition into math classes as well as help students improve their Accuplacer scores.

The program addresses math needs in several ways: Students can learn and review and relearn.

It uses a software program called PLATO. “PLATO is the software program that we utilize as a tool for students to use to upgrade their skill level,” said Teaching Academy coordinator Sophia Caldera Castaneda.

“The software begins with a pre-test to determine the students’ individual skill level and then the student works on skill modules at their own pace.

The PLATO software is aligned with the college’s developmental curriculum.

The program is free for students and $35 for the general public.

Today SAC Event: Cheshyre Cheese Club coffee and mic night at 6:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Free for students with ID; $1 for public; free coffee provided. Continues April 3. Call 486-0668.

Saturday Concert: Spring Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m. in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall of Trinity. Call 999-8212.

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

SAC Event: Karaoke Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-01281.

SAC Meeting: Society of Mexican-American Engineers at 2:30 p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Call 486-0342.

Tuesday SAC Event: Three-on-three soccer from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at San Pedro Springs Park. Call 486-0128.

Wednesday NVC Lecture: Women’s History Month: Panel on Women Entrepreneurs in the Arts, moderated by Melissa Monroe-Young with panelists Hilary Bryan, Susie Monday and Catherine Cisneros from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. in Lago Vista Room of Cypress. Call 486-4810.

SAC Meeting: Psych Club at 2 p.m. in Room 607 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 733-2604.

This reviewer also enjoyed:

“The Number 23” directed

by Joel Schumacher and “Independence Day” directed by Roland Emmerich Dean Devlin.

Ranger rating system J Don't bother wasting your money.

JJ All right movie.

JJJ Halfway decent.

JJJJ Worthy of highpriced concession prices.

JJJJJ Don’t do anything until you see this movie.

SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian Association at 2:30 p.m. in Rooms 612-613 of Moody. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-1345.

SAC Meeting: American Institute of Architecture Students at 4 p.m. in Room 251 of Chance. Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0079.

Speaker: “Reading with Robert Hass” by Pulitzer Prizewinning poet at 8 p.m. in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall of Trinity. Call 999-7517.

Thursday SAC Lecture: “Generation X” by Dr. Mark Taylor 1 p.m.4 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2357.

Algebraic fractions 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesday 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday Factoring 11 a.m.-noon April 21 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 22

The curriculum is aligned with this college’s developmental math program.

“The great thing about participating in our program is that you can work at your own pace starting at your current skill level,” Castaneda said.

The program has an instructor and certified tutors from the SLAC lab to assist students. However, the computer is the primary instructor.

“There are no credit hours attached to BSEP, so there is no risk lowering your GPA or adding to your

NVC Arts: Art lecture-demonstration by choreographer Hilary Bryan. Part of vis-à-vis guest art series. 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Pecan. Sponsored

by NVC fine and performing arts committee. Call 486-4810.

Lecture: “Vida y Obra de José Luis Cuevas” at 6 p.m. in the Instituto Cultural de México, 600 Hemisfair Park.

Lecture in Spanish. Call 227-0123.

March 27 Concert: San Antonio Sor Juana Festival Kick-Off Celebration: Lila Downs 7 p.m.-10 p.m. in Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St. Preshow at 5 p.m. Call 207-3050.

SAC Event: Pizza with the President noon-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Contact vsalinas16@mail.accd. edu.

SPC Performance: “A Place to Stand” 8 p.m. in Watson.

General admission $10, students with ID, seniors and SATCO members $5. Continues March 28, April 3-4 at 8 p.m. and March 29 and April 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Call 486-2838.

March 28 SAC Performance: “A Night of Arias” by the NATS Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call 733-2731.

March 31 SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. in the second floor lobby of McCreless and appointments from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the transfer center.

Call 486-0868.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the second floor lobby of McCreless.

Call 486-0868.

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

Call 486-0868.

SAC Event: Health Fest sponsored by kinesiology and department from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Candler. Call 4861023.

SAC Event: Spa Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0128.

number of attempted hours,” Castaneda said.

“In addition to using Plato, we have implemented campuswide math workshops that are offered several times a semester,” Castaneda said.

The workshops focus on critical needs such as arithmetic and algebraic fractions.

“We concentrate on getting students ready for MATH 0300, Basic Mathematics, to MATH 0303, Intermediate Algebra.

Whether you are struggling at your current math level, or you may want to review before a placement test, let us help you,” Castaneda said.

The Basic Skills Academy also offers support to various agencies and individuals in the community to assist non-SAC students in upgrading their math skills for self-improvement, to prepare students for standardized tests or to continue with their education.

For more information, call 486-0183 or visit Room 712 of Moody Learning Center.

Trinity Speaker: “Exploring the Underwater World of the Ancient Mediterranean” by Nicolle Hirschfeld at noon in the Coates University Center. Call 999-8404.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in the second floor lobby of McCreless. Call 486-0868.

April 3 Exhibit: Queens and Crowns: Fiesta’s Royal Traditions at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. te Adults $7, seniors $6 en Pu and children $5. Continues r ga Ed though Sept. 7. Call 357-1900.

April 4 Trinity Concert: Walden Chamber Players at 7:30 p.m. in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. Call 999-8212.

Event: Weekend Family Adventure: Everyday Genetics 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway.

Adults $7, seniors $6 and children $5. Call 3571900.

April 6 SAC Event: Karaoke Mondays in the Fiesta Room of Loftin from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Continues April 20. Call 733-2641.

April 7 SAC Lecture: Leigh Jones, a reporter with the Galveston County Daily News, on Hurricane Ike coverage using social networking media during the Edith Fox King Lecture 9:25 a.m.-10:40 a.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-1765.

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

March 20, 2009 • 11

Anthropology Club is digging for new members

By Krystina A. Hodge The Anthropology Club on campus is encouraging anyone interested in the field of anthropology, whether cultural, physical or biological, and any aspect of archeology to come out and join.

The club will be headed by one of the newest full-time professors of the sociology department, Dr. Elizabeth De La Portilla.

Although not the first anthropology club on campus, it is the latest and hopes to promote the program and interest students in the field.

De La Portilla, who is a former

University of Texas at San Antonio professor of anthropology, set up the club as a way to get students more interested in the field.

She views the club not only as a possible major but also as a way to “get students introduced into the field in terms of learning to collect data and learning research methods,” she said.

De La Portilla, who began her college career as a journalism major, changed to anthropology after she grew interested in the field, encouraging her to eventually get a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology with specialties in medical anthropology and ethnobotany.

Having the knowledge and skills of journalism helped De La Portilla when it came to anthropology with all the research involved and learning the who, what, where and when aspects of research along with learning how to write quickly and to the point.

“Certainly research is important when you’re trying to develop questions and find out answers. It has helped me in terms of observing and listening to others,” she said.

Learning “how we have come to do things, and what meaning does it have,” and understanding that “culture is dynamic” have been important.

Meetings are at 1 p.m. Fridays in Room 303 of Chance.

For more information, contact Elizabeth De La Portilla at edelaportilla@mail.accd.edu

“If culture didn’t change, we’d disappear,” she said.

The club is also a way to attract students interested in learning the fields of anthropology and archeology.

Anyone, whether working toward a degree in the field or unable to sign up

for classes to fit in with their schedule but wanting to learn more about it, are encouraged to join.

With San Antonio being so diverse in culture and history, De La Portilla hopes to also “get students involved in what’s in the area in terms of research and anthropology connections in the area.”

The club also hopes to get students to find ways to encourage more students to join and learn by participating in many events such as digs, lectures on dance and religion, volunteer work, getting involved with the National Parks Services and having Middle Eastern evenings.

Coach needed for award-winning speech team

By Dani Williams The theater and speech communication department had national champions in forensics, but for the first time in 37 years, it does not even have a speech team.

The department has not found anyone who fits the qualifications needed of a speech coach.

Some of the qualifications for the position are having a master’s degree in speech communication, “experience in coaching and competing for a forensics team, which is a speech team,” Jeff Hunt, chair of the theater and speech department, said.

Candidates should show some interest in teaching an online class because the department needs more teachers to provide this alternative choice for students who are interested in taking online courses, Hunt said.

Hunt said there were many people who applied for this position, but did not Jeff Hunt meet the criteria.

The majority of the individuals who applied for this position had no experience working with a speech team, Hunt said.

He said the minimum amount of experience is two years.

The previous speech coach was speech Instructor Jolinda Ramsey, who coached for 10 years and later stepped down because of her health.

Ramsey remains an instructor on campus with the theater and speech department. Ramsey said it is disappointing not to have a speech team this year, but there was not much anyone could have done.

She said the reposting of the position was sent out again and, hopefully, things will go well next time around.

Hunt said, “We knew last year that she was going to step down as the head coach.”

Hunt said the department asked for permission from administrators to hire a new full-time instructor to replace Ramsey.

“We didn’t want to bring anyone in who didn’t have expectations such as traveling and having a nice size team.

It would have been a lot of extra work to coach a nationally ranked team,” Hunt said.

“We did a search and brought in one candidate; he was not a good fit with the department, and we felt as if he probably wouldn’t want to coach the

team for a long time,” Hunt said.

“The candidate’s teaching demonstrations were not all that great, and we need a great teacher and a great coach; we need some one who is competitive and he didn’t fit those qualifications,” Hunt said. “We’re looking for someone who could teach a long time.”

Again in June, the department conducted another search to find a suitable coach.

Hunt said they brought in another person they thought was a strong candidate: “He was a good teacher and could have done the job, he had experience and we all really liked him.”

The candidate was offered the position the next day, but he declined and took a position in Oregon at a four-year university.

“I think after meeting with us, the president and the administration, he felt we were looking for someone who was too competitive and felt it wouldn’t be the perfect fit for him,” Hunt said.

Hunt said everyone knew at this point the department was not going to get another candidate hired in September or August, “so we decided grudgingly not to have a team for the first time in 37 years, and decide to repost the job. It’s been a real void for the department.”

The position has been reposted since Feb. 1 and it closes April 1. Hunt hopes there will be a good

number that will apply for the position.

“When we close our deadlines on April 1, we will do interviews as soon as possible, but the fastest they’ll start working is in the fall; they will be officially hired some time in August and then will start building a team from scratch,” Hunt said.

Hunt said students are missing out on great opportunities such as competing with others, scholarship opportunities, winning awards and working on their speech skills, Hunt said.

“The former team was made up of seven students and the department is looking for a teacher to take on about 10 students for the speech team, Hunt said.

Hunt said before Ramsey taught the speech team, he was the speech coach for about seven years. Before Hunt, it was theater Professor Jim Mammarella for about 17 years and before him Vice President David Mrizek.

“So we have a long history of people who have done it, we kept it consistent and competitive and that’s what were looking for — ­­­­the next person to come in and coach and be competitive,” Hunt said.

For more information on the qualification for a speech coach, call the theater and speech department at 486-0485.

www.theranger.org • The Ranger

12• March 20, 2009

Administrators No reason given for termination leave posts

By Melissa Toscano Lazcano

By Martin Herrera and Melissa Toscano Lazcano Two administrators prematurely left their positions in the district before spring break, six months before their one-year contracts were set to expire in August.

Dr. Patricia P. Candia, vice president of student success at St. Philip’s College, left office Feb. 26 and Dr. David L. Winney, associate vice chancellor for employee services, left Feb. 27.

Matari Jones-Gunter, director of community and public relations at St. Philip’s College, said the interim vice president of academic affairs, Ruth Dalrymple, has assumed the responsibilities of Candia’s vacated position.

The vice president of student success at St. Philip’s is responsible for overseeing a variety of functions including admissions, records, advising and student life, JonesGunter said. The college refused to comment on Candia’s employment status, instead, referring questions to the district’s legal services department.

Beyond assigning duties to Dalrymple, the college has not taken steps to find a long-term replacement. “We haven’t even discussed any next steps,” Jones-Gunter said.

Winney had headed the district’s employee services department since May 2007. Prior to that, he served as the human resources director for the cities of Wichita Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

District officials were just as tight-lipped about Winney’s status, talking, instead, in general terms about administrators employed through contracts approved by the board of trustees.

Winney’s initial contract was approved during the April 15, 2007, regular meeting and was renewed June 17 for a term set to expire Aug. 31, 2009. Candia’s contract also was approved June 17.

Martha McCabe, general counsel for the district, said an administrator whose contract is not considered for renewal is traditionally informed in advance as a courtesy.

The administrator then has an opportunity to tender a resignation if they choose.

McCabe, who retires March 27, is the temporary administrator for employee services.

She made it clear she was not speaking specifically about any college or district administrator, but about the district’s method in general for handling term contracts in recent years. Contract compensation is generally honored.

Candia and Winney’s contracts are valued at $104,600 and $132,000, respectively.

Patricia Candia

Dr. Patricia Candia, former vice president of student success at St. Philip’s College, received a release letter Feb. 26.

Candia did not respond to requests for an interview, but Matari Jones-Gunter, director of community and public relations, said the college cannot comment to The Ranger.

She would not confirm a report that a letter to Candia terminating her employment was unsigned by President Adena Loston or Chancellor Bruce Leslie.

Melissa Toscano Lazcano

Candia’s aunt, Madeline Lester, a financial aid adviser at this college, said the letter also did not include a reason for termination.

Candia was on a one-year contract ending Aug. 31, 2009.

The Alamo Community College District’s policy does not require officials to give reasons for an administrator’s dismissal.

The faculty dismissal process listed on the district’s Termination of Employment document states any employee may be dismissed for good cause before the completion of the term

Fun is focus in math lab

By Melissa Toscano Lazcano

On the border:

“Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey” film screening on immigration issues is sponsored by the Catholic Student Association and the United Methodist Student Movement March 16 in visual arts. See story online.

Save the date: Department of Journalism-Photography presents the annual Edith Fox King Lecture 9:25 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, April 7 Fiesta Room of Loftin Free and open to the public For more information, call 486-1765

fixed in contract.

“Before any employee is dismissed, the employee shall be given reasonable notice in writing of the proposed action and the grounds, set out in sufficient detail to fairly enable him or her to show any error that may exist.”

Candia has been with the district about 22 years at St. Philip’s. She had served as vice president for more than four years and as interim president after the resignation of Angie Runnels in May 2006.

Loston became president of St. Philip’s March 1, 2007.

Studies on developmental math students from the St. Philip’s mathematics department show a passing rate of 30 percent to 50 percent and a drop rate decrease between 4 percent and 5 percent.

Robert “Bob” Walling, developmental math lab coordinator, initiated the “Math World” lab, where he and other nine staff members, or “Bobs,” aid students walking in with questions.

“We help anyone who walks through the door,” Walling said.

He said the one-on-one help compensates for the difference in student levels in classrooms.

Walling was concerned about the story being published without first getting clearance from St. Philip’s community and public relations.

John Haumman, instructional skills specialist, said the math lab’s mission is to get students to pass developmental math classes, but college algebra, precalculus, calculus, statistics, chemistry and physics are covered as well.

Haumman said they spend about 10 minutes explaining a problem to a student before turning to another student who needs help with homework.

This sets a target of six students per hour for each staff member.

The math lab has received 40 to 60 students signing in every hour, and about 600 students have registered this semester for help in math homework.

Developmental math requires one lab hour per week, so the lab maintains a “fun focus” to encourage students, Walling said.

The math lab has a 100-student capacity with four rooms called Cipher City, Algebra Acres, Math Zone and Bob’s Backyard.

The lab features laptop and desktop computers equipped with computer software “Math Zone” by McGraw Hill and the Web site Course Compass by Pearson, which also can be accessed at home with an online pass code from the student’s math textbook.

Phrases written on the boards serve as tip reminders for students, such as “The secret to math is to change the appearance without changing the value.”

Walling says to those who visit the lab, “You and your Bob are going to pass this math class.”

The math lab is in Room 307 of Norris Technical Building at St. Philip’s.

Office hours are 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Monday, 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 486-2893.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

March 20, 2009 • 13

Media distorts body images, professor says

By Giselle Guadron The thin ideal body type for women is not realistic, a professor said March 6, at one of the events for Women’s History Week in the visual arts center.

Dr. Carolyn Becker, a professor of psychology at Trinity University, spoke to an audience of 41.

Becker is also a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. She is the scientific and clinical director of Tri Delta’s Reflections: Body Image Program, which is “the first evidencebased peer-led eating disorders prevention program designed in partnership with and for sorority members.”

She asked the audience what the perfect woman was.

According to the culture in the United States, the perfect woman is a super model, she said.

Some traits of the “perfect woman” are “tall, long legs, large bust, muscular definition but not too much, firm rounded butt, but not too big and low body fat.”

The thin ideal is seen on “television, magazines, advertising, movies, Internet and anywhere there is media,” she said.

The effects of the thin ideal are “unachievable, low-self esteem, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, which is so normal, and this leads

to a negative mood, depression, anxiety, guilt and shame,” she said.

“One in five women suffer from an eating disorder or some form of disordered eating.”

Eating disorders are also found in males: 10 percent to 15 percent of people dealing with anorexia or bulimia are male.

She showed a video that has no official title, but is known as the “Tri Delta Fat Talk Free Week 2008 Video.”

The video showed facts about the history of women and the question the video asked was, “With all of the opportunities that women had in this day and age, why do women have a body image problem?”

The video consisted of words and facts about body image scrolling along the screen with background music.

Among the assertions were “as many as 10 million females are suffering from anorexia and bulimia; that’s more than are suffering from breast cancer,” and “81 percent of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.”

The message of the film was “it is time to focus on a healthy ideal, which looks different for every woman and focuses on health, not weight or size. It starts with you and it starts today.”

The Reflections program raises awareness about “fat talk,” which is any verbal negativity toward one’s body. Some places where fat talk is found are dressing rooms, gyms, college dorm

rooms and anywhere there is a mirror.

Once the awareness was raised, it challenged people to do something different. That led to the unexpected creation of fat-talk-free zones. She even said that a local gym in San Antonio became the first fat-talk-free business.

The Reflections program is based on cognitive dissonance, and the intervention program is designed for and with sororities. She said sororities have an organized structure, and that enables her to do her work.

There is strong scientific support in the program, and it “significantly improves body image and decreases the negative affect and bulimic pathology,” she said.

In 2007, Tri Delta collaborated with Oxford University to publish the printed program and materials. Reflections was formally launched nationwide in 2008, enabling Greek organizations, colleges and universities to implement the program.

Her long-term goal is to expand the program for adult and older women as well. There is a coed pilot project at Texas A&M University that looks promising, she said.

If anyone is interested in the Reflections program or to get more information about the program, go to www.reflectionsprogram.org. The two-minute video can also be seen there.

For more information on eating disorders, go to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Music mania:

Accordionist Eva Ybarra performed March 6 in Loftin. Ybarra and her band were part of Women’s History Week. See story online.

Peer Educators sponsor Women4Women conference

By Laura Garcia The Peer Educators are asking female students to sign-up for a day of chatting with girlfriends, where they will receive free advice and goodies from donations.

The Women4Women relationship retreat offers women the opportunity to discuss topics that impact their lives daily and introduce them to possible unfamiliar issues.

The Peer Educators will host the conference from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 28 in the visual arts center and will pay for breakfast and lunch.

The seven-hour conference will include pre-

sentations on how to effectively communicate wants and Last day to RSVP is needs, how women present Monday themselves through appearor sign-up 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ances, cultural issues, stress management and sexual March 25 health. in the mall.

“At least one day out of the For more information, semester take care of yourself call 486-1448. and have a good time with a couple girlfriends,” Ruby Ruiz, a social work sophomore and Peer Educator, said. “Have a laugh and learn something about yourself.” it,” Humble said.

Ruiz said that many women are so focused on their role as a caregiver for their children and husbands that they sometimes have to take a step back and realize they need time for themselves.

One of the newest peer educators, nursing freshman Monique Humble, said she’s really excited about the Women4Women retreat.

“I can’t wait to be a part of

The Peer Educators have been working on the event for weeks and expect about 50 women to attend.

They will offer the conference only to women 18 and older because of sexual content.

Ruiz said the group will present in-depth information on prevention and risk factors for STDs, like HIV/AIDS. Immediately after the event, women can go to the health center in Chance Academic Center for free and confidential HIV/ AIDS testing.

Free bus tickets to and from the retreat are available from Dawn McFadden, Peer Educator coordinator.

14 • March 20, 2009

Pulse

Rangers grab title in championship tourney

The Ranger • www.theranger.org Photos by Tyler Cleveland

Men’s basketball team defeats Southwest Texas Junior College in title game.

By James Bosquez The Ranger men’s basketball team reached its season goal March 7 by winning the South Texas Club Sports League championship tournament at Palo Alto College.

The Rangers, led by tournament MVP A.J....

Govan’s 26 points, defeated the Southwest Texas Junior College Cowboys 97-83 in the title game.

The Cowboys hit five 3-pointers to open the game and held a brief lead.

The Rangers were able to create some separation by executing their offense fluidly, which led to open shots and open lanes to the basket, Chez Perez of Southwest Texas Junior College resulting in a 15-0 run. throws a towel in frustration after losing.

Rangers guard Dermon Smith shouldered much of the scoring load in the first half, scor- and Taylor are cousins. ing 17 points before a pulled leg muscle left him Taylor and Dilworth met twice on the court in hobbled down the stretch. the regular season, with the Rangers coming out Cowboys guard Chez Perez got a hot hand on top in both games. late in the first half and kept his team within “I think now we’re 3-0, but I’m still his littlereach by hitting seven of 10 3-pointers. big cousin,” Taylor said.

At halftime, the Rangers led 52-41. Head Taylor stands 6-foot-5 but despite the height coach Aaron Tavitas let his team know the chamdisadvantage he was able to keep Dilworth out of pionship was just 20 the paint and forced minutes away, as him into shooting long as they executed jumpers. the offense.

Dilworth joined “All the talk is Green and Perez for over,” Tavitas said. all-tournament team “There’s nothing honors, while Taylor more that we can do walked away with for you. This is yours the league co-MVP for the taking.” honor.

The Cowboys After the Rangers had championship were awarded their dreams of their own, tournament medals and pulled within sinand trophies, they gle digits when cenhad nothing but ter Curtis Dilworth praise for Tavitas, opened the second who was named half by nailing yet league Coach of the League co-MVP Johnny Taylor celebrates with forward Year. another 3-pointer.

It was then that Cedric Jones after clinching the championship title.

“I think even Smith turned to more than the basGovan and told him, “It’s your turn to take ketball, he teaches us to become men,” Govan over.” said.

Govan obliged, as he and forward Mark Reserve forward Rick Bermudez said he was Green heated up and began pouring in shot after thankful to play for Tavitas, despite seeing little shot. Govan scored 19 points in the second half playing time throughout the season. and Green scored 12 of his 19 to seal the com“I’ve had a lot of coaches, and he might be fortable win and league championship. the best. He doesn’t hide anything from you. He “It feels good to get MVP, but I really just wants you to know your limits and work within wanted the championship,” Govan said. them,” Bermudez said.

Forward Johnny Taylor contributed with a The Rangers’ championship run was nearly double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds ended in the first game of the tournament. The and was key in guarding the Cowboys’ 6-footteam faced the Palominos of Palo Alto College for 8 Dilworth. Taylor’s defensive assignment was a 10 a.m. tip-off earlier in the day. more than just a size-on-size match-up. Dilworth Sporadic shooting by both teams led to an

The Ranger men’s basketball team celebrates a 97-85 championship win over Southwest Texas Junior College. exciting final stretch in which the Palominos closed a 10-point gap to only 2 points with seven seconds remaining.

With a Ranger lead of 67-65, the Palominos rebounded a missed Ranger free throw and quickly pressed up court.

Palomino center Colton Thompson received a pass near midcourt and with less than a second on the clock pulled up from just beyond the 3-point line and launched a running jumper.

“All I was thinking is that we cannot lose to a center shooting a 3,” starting Ranger guard Willie Whitley said.

The ball hit the rim, spun around for a moment, and then teetered off, taking with it the Palomino’s chance at a miraculous finish.

The stunned Rangers bench collectively exhaled and immediately ran to the Palominos’ bench for congratulations on a well-played game.

The Rangers’ praise was hardly consolation for the tough loss, as Thompson simply stood where he had shot the possible game winner and hung his head in disappointment.

With the season over, each member of the Rangers will be evaluating their options for next season.

Taylor, Green and Govan will be looking at four-year schools across the state to see if their performances will open the door to a larger collegiate program.

Some players plan on returning, including Smith whose leadership was key in keeping the team collected on and off the court.

Tavitas hopes the program’s success this season will lead to opportunities for both his players and the college.

“My ultimate goal is to get these kids to a Tournament MVP Arthur Govan dunks over Palo Alto’s four-year school. We’re not just building for this Dustin Ruhd in the first round of the division tournament year’s team, but for the future of San Antonio March 7.

College,” Tavitas said.

Photo by Joshua Macias

Trinity keeps Lady Rangers winless Women’s teamwork falters after early win.

By Jeff Reese

Frances Newman of the Lady Rangers volleyball team blocks the Trinity Lady Tigers from spiking a ball.

Lady Ranger volleyball fell to the Trinity Lady Tigers 3-1 to run their record to 0-5 this semester March 5 at Trinity’s Sams Gymnasium.

After falling behind 11-4 in Game 1, the scrappy Lady Rangers exposed the clear gap in Trinity’s center court to tie the game and eventually take a 21-20 lead.

However, as they did in the first two games of their 3-1 loss to Palo Alto Feb. 26, they faltered down the stretch and fell 25-21.

Coach Marissa Martinez said while they saw the opponents’ Achilles’ heel, things went the wrong direction when Trinity closed the gaping hole.

“That’s how I tell my setter: ‘Just dump it in the middle, dump it in the middle,’” Martinez said. “Then they caught on and we had to adjust.”

“They didn’t come through this game like hits, being smart,

hitting right into the blocks. It’s just mental errors; we knew what to do but we couldn’t do it,” Martinez said about her team.

For most of Game 2, Trinity staved off the visitors’ comeback attempts to keep a 3-point lead.

Then the players turned the tables, rallying to score the game’s last 5 points and gut out a 25-21 win.

While the Lady Rangers succumbed 25-14 in Game 3, they also gave the crowd plenty of drama.

In a thrilling exchange, the ball crossed the net 18 times before Trinity finally won the point.

Player fatigue became clear in a time-out soon after the point, as Lady Tigers received much-needed hydration and rest.

Trinity regained its breath to seal Game 3 and clinch the match with a 25-12 win in game four.

The match’s crucial point deflated the Lady Rangers, but six Lady Tiger runs of at least 5 points, including a 12-point

slide in game four, prevented any chance for a comeback.

Martinez said lack of teamwork was the biggest reason for the loss.

“I feel like the girls were on a different page, like they weren’t even in the same volleyball game,” Martinez said. “They just took care of their area and that’s it, but they just weren’t playing as a team, period.”

Martinez further emphasized teamwork by saying her team only showed the cohesiveness necessary to win in Game 2.

“They played smart, they played the game, they know how to play, and they were talking,” Martinez said.

“They would get together in the middle and pump each other up, and that’s what won the second game.”

The Lady Rangers’ next match is at 7 p.m. March 26 at home against St. Philip’s College.

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

March 20, 2009 • 15

Letters Increase cowardly Editor: I find myself dumbfounded by the move of the ACCD trustees to raise, yet again, the tuition for students.

Rather than consider the alternative of raising property taxes by half of a penny, five members of this board chose to provide a temporary fix by tacking on a tuition increase for the students, the seventh in as many years.

This increase is expected to raise $4 million.

Had these members bothered to discuss with the community our colleges serve, the financial strait the district is in as a result of the economic decline, and presented property owners with the alternative of paying less than $15 dollars a year (for the average homeowner) on their property taxes, I am quite sure most of us would have shrugged and said it would be a sound investment not only in our community but the social capital of our population.

Let it also be known, taxes for the ACCD have not been adjusted in over a decade.

This half penny would have doubled the revenues collected by this district and very likely, with very little opposition.

Instead, according to the chair, Denver McClendon, since there had been “no student outcry,” it was safe to assume these would be the ducks you hunt.

However, in spite of the outcry from the SAC Student Government Association’s executive officers, the board raised their tuition anyway. So much for outcry making a difference.

These five board members instead chose to further burden a student population facing increasing book prices and the associated costs of living. (Granted, we all face these.)

In political terms, these five members thought protecting themselves from an angry mob at election time was the path of least resistance. In political terms, we would call them cowards.

They are, unfortunately, penny-wise and pound-foolish.

When it comes to investing in education, these are dollars well-spent and most certainly these dollars have a multiplier effect that any economist could tell you is worth considering.

Trustees Anna Bustamante, Marcelo Casillas, James Rindfuss and Roberto Zárate are to be commended for taking the more noble position and supporting our students.

The rest of the board can eat cake.

Christy Woodward Kaupert Political Science Professor

District bait and switch Editor: The public relations piece on the PACE survey, which is posted on the ACCD Web site, is inaccurate.

When the survey was published, its instructions asked respondents to consider the college where they worked.

The survey did not indicate in any way that the answers would be used in any manner save assessment of the college environment.

Because the data has been skewed, the results are inaccurate.

It would be interesting to find out what the raw data reflects, and exactly what the wording was on the survey document.

I think this is an example of bait and switch for want of a better term.

Most PR and marketing students will know the nuances of this approach (skewing survey results), which is unethical at best.

Journalism students, too, will understand what occurs when data is interpreted outside of the bounds of context and published as the truth.

Are any of your amazing reporters investigating this issue?

Thank you for your time.

Jane Focht-Hansen English Instructor

Correction In “Former student calls journalism ‘perfect job’” in the March 6 issue, The Ranger incorrectly reported the Mazatlan Pacific Pearl is the only English-language newspaper in Mexico.

RANGER Staff

Editor Trey Randolph Opinion Editor Brianna Roberts Photographers Tyler Cleveland Melissa Toscano Lazcano Photo Team Carlos Garcia, Leda Garcia, Destiny Mata, Josh Macias, Monica Pinon Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Fred Nockroes, Edgar Puente Production Manager James Bosquez Production Assistant Laura Garcia Staff Writers José Castillo, Ralonda R. Greene, Giselle Guadron, Sharon Hensley, Martin Herrera, Krystina A. Hodge, Theodore Knapinsky, Rennie Murrell, Jeff Reese, Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle, Lea Thompson, Vanessa M. Sanchez, Jason Treviño, Dani Williams 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.

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 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.

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.

March 20, 2009 • 16

The Ranger • www.theranger.org

Sergio Villarreal, public relations senior at UTSA; criminal justice sophomore Monica Notzon; Greg Pimentel, human resource management freshman; and criminal justice sophomore Roland Rojas hike Loop 1604.

Re-enacting the Baatan Death March

Photos and story by José Castillo

T

Greg Pimentel, human resource management freshman, and criminal justice sophomores Monica Notzon and Roland Rojas keep each other company as they train Saturday on Kyle Seale Parkway.

hree students from this college’s ROTC program have been training to participate in the 20th annual Bataan Death March in White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The 26.2-mile march will be March 29 and features steep inclines most of the course.

Business sophomore David Ortiz, human resource management freshman Greg Pimentel and criminal justice sophomore Monica Notzon will be part of two teams of five from San Antonio attending the march this year.

The students completed their last rucking exercise Saturday with an 11.2mile trek through the hills surrounding the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Rucking is fast hiking or walking through challenging terrain carrying at least 38 pounds in weight, the minimum to participate.

The march was started in 1989 by the ROTC department at New Mexico State University.

It commemorated the thousands of World War II American and Filipino soldiers who died in 1942 at the hands of the Japanese military. The soldiers were forced to march 70 miles through the Philippines in the sweltering heat by Japanese forces after surrendering to them. The soldiers who survived the march were held as long as 2½ years in camps for prisoners of war or killed later.

Military science Instructor Sgt. Michael Trujillo, who has completed five marches, has been training the students since January.

“The main thing is to make it a good experience for the students,” Trujillo said about the often painful and difficult march.

Sgt. Michael Trujillo checks on Arthur Anderson, health care administration junior, and liberal arts sophomore Greg Gilmore as they make their way to UTSA on the second half of an 11.2-mile rucking exercise Saturday.

There are stations set up every six miles on the way up the course and every two miles on the way back to help marchers with blistering feet and other health concerns such as dehydration and exhaustion.

“People develop blisters, ungodly blisters, on their feet during the march,” Trujillo said.

The trip costs about $2,000, which the ROTC program usually raises internally, but this year, the father of one of the students on the teams donated most of the money.

The funds pay for entrance fees, food and hotel rooms for the cadets.

While the course may be difficult, Trujillo said the students are treated well, eat in good restaurants and stay in nice hotels.

“They’re not eating at McDonald’s,” Trujillo said.

“They eat at places like Red Lobster and stay in good hotels.”

Accunet/AP Photos Nearing the end of the Bataan Death March, a thinning line of American and Filipino prisoners of war carry casualties in improvised stretchers as they approach Camp O'Donnell, a new Japanese POW camp, in April 1942 during World War II. On April 10, more than 70,000 POWs were forced to march 55 miles to San Fernando, then taken by rail to Capas, from where they walked the final eight miles to Camp O'Donnell. More than 10,000 men died on the march from various causes including sickness, beatings and exhaustion, and those who fell were bayoneted while others escaped into the jungle. Only 54,000 reached the camp.

Sprawled across the porch of an emergency hospital, released American prisoners of war wait for transfer to a base hospital, on Luzon Island, Jan. 30, 1945. These men, survivors of the Bataan Death March in 1942, were liberated from the Japanese death camp Cabanatuan in a daring rescue operation by an elite force of the 6th U.S. Army Ranger Battalion.