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ranger Serving San Antonio College since 1926
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online now Volume 89 Issue 9 • Feb. 9, 2015
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
New section
Feb. 14 is not all about love and chocolate
Student 101 Helpful tips make for effective studying Page 7
Holiday history stems from pagan roots. Page 4
Human Services Club cleans up ‘Smokers’ Corner’
Part-time employees pressured to complete Covey training Black History Month teaches campus about cultural, ethnic history
No freedom for students enrolled with child care Federal grant is 15th largest in the country. By Cynthia M. Herrera
cherrera151@student.alamo.edu
Nathalie Mora, radio-television-broadcasting sophomore, completed a beginning course in journalism in the fall and planned to enroll in the next reporting class this spring. But because she receives a Federal Pell Grant and the course was not in her degree plan, her
child was going to be turned away from the early childhood center at this college. Mora wanted the additional journalism class to help in her studies of mass communication. Her degree plan includes a variety of production and broadcast writing skills, but she wanted experience in print media as well. She is in her second semester as a reporter for The Ranger. Media communications Chair
See CHILDCARE, Page 3
William Chapman, 2, is all smiles with his camera after nap time Wednesday in Room 0.1 at the early childhood center. Anthony B. Botello
Phi Theta Kappa elects three officers amid controversy Confusion over honor society bylaws causes rift in organization. By Kyle R. Cotton
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter elected three officers Feb. 2 during an election process that resurrected complaints about the former
president’s track record. The new officers are American Sign Language sophomore Samantha Davis, president; engineering sophomore Hunter Hodge, vice president of leadership; and computer
information systems sophomore Joshua Johnson, secretary. Members emphasized a need for new blood and availability as they grilled candidates about their commitment to the organization. Former PTK president and speech sophomore Kim-Briana Lorine, who ran for vice presi-
dent of leadership, said she was forced to resign because of chapter bylaws introduced in 2011 mandating that the PTK president must maintain 12 course hours for the semester. However, according to vice president of fellowship and business administration sophomore Ann Marie
Hessbrook, multiple members asked Lorine not to run after a semester where the chapter dropped from a five-star-rating to a two-star-rating. “All other officers discouraged her from running for any of the open officer positions, but she’s still running,” Hessbrook said of Lorine’s
resignation. “She was forced to resign under a technicality, but there were multiple grievances last semester.” Hessbrook said Lorine would take sole responsibility for the chapter’s projects with limited input from other officers and members.
See PTK, Page 8
Student trustee applications due Feb. 19 The student trustee is a liaison between students and the board of trustees. By Daniel Carde
dcarde@student.alamo.edu
Chancellor Bruce Leslie speaks to Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor for academic success, about reducing math developmental courses during a Student Success Committee meeting Tuesday at Killen Center. E. David Guel
Trustees argue over I-BEST vs. developmental courses Training program is shown to improve basic reading and math skills, director says. By Katherine Garcia
kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu
Improving developmental education was the focus of the Student Success Committee meeting Tuesday at Killen Center.
Melissa Sadler-Nitu, director of Alamo Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) at the Westside Education and Training Center, explained the I-BEST model of recruitment, assessment, college and career prep, college training with support classes, and job placement and college continuation. I-BEST offers certificates in jobs from medical
See I-BEST, Page 7
The one-year terms of student trustee Jacob Wong and student trustee alternate Rudy Padilla will end April 30, Wong said in an interview Wednesday. The new student trustee and alternate begin their term May 1. “The mission of a student trustee is to serve as a non-voting student liaison to the board of trustees and chancellor,” board policy B.11.1 states. Students interested in applying for the Alamo Colleges student trustee position must submit an application to the Student Government Association by midnight Feb. 19, said SGA President Karen Elliot. “Typically, we leave at 5 p.m., but those applications can be submitted via email,” Elliot said. After receiving the applications, SGA will set up interviews with each of the applicants, she said. Applicants for student trustee need to have completed 12 college-level course hours at the Alamo Colleges, be in good academic and civic standing with the Alamo Colleges, be enrolled at any of the Alamo
Colleges and have a GPA of 2.5, Elliot said. SGA also encourages proof of completed community service hours and participation in a student club or organization, she said. Elliot said SGA officers, minus the president, will vote on which applicant to submit to the board by Feb. 28. Elliot said she will not vote because she is facilitating the interviews. Each of the five Alamo Colleges will submit one nominee. The board will review the nominees and conduct interviews in March, according to the policy. The policy also states the board will vote on the new student trustee at either a regular or a special board meeting in April. The board will first vote for the student trustee and then vote for the alternate, Wong said. The newly appointed student trustee will receive a $600 scholarship, awarded in two $300 sums, at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Applications can be picked up in the SGA office, Room 260B of Loftin Student Center. Elliot said online applications are available at www.alamo.edu/sac/studenttrustee/ or by contacting her at kelliot3@student.alamo.edu. For more information, call the SGA office at 210-486-0133.
SAConnected
2 • Feb. 9, 2015
www.theranger.org/calendar
Being safe Laura Castro, planning council liaison of the Bexar County Department
Showing skills Sign language interpreting freshman Haley Gonzalez hula hoops Wednesday on the smokers’ corner at Belknap
of Community Resources, discusses HIV210.org and National Black HIV Awareness Day with mortuary science freshman Victor Anu and psychology sophomore Jared Garcia Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Castro had both male and female condoms hanging on Mardi Gras beads. Cynthia M. Herrera
Uplifting
and Dewey by the United Methodist Campus Ministry. Gonzalez carries her hula hoops with her everywhere. Anthony B. Botello
Darryl Dawson, radio television-broadcasting sophomore and president of the Black Student Alliance, opens with a gospel cover of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the opening ceremony of Black History Month Feb. 2 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Go online to see a slideshow of Black History Month. E. David Guel
Helping hand Architecture freshman Lulu Reyna shows psychology freshman Olga Realpe her GoPrint card Wednesday at the writing center in Room 203 of Gonzales, Students must use the card to print documents. The card costs 50 cents and copies cost 10 cents. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Neven Jones
today tues wed thur fri SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0126. PAC Event: Dodge ball tournament sponsored by campus recreation 1-4 p.m. in fitness center. Call 210486-3901 or visit www. alamo.edu/eventDetail. aspx?id=44558. Trinity Lecture: “Do you know that men do not menstruate? The life course of silence and Mexican-origin women” by Maria Del Socorro CastañedaLiles 5:30 p.m. in Room 040 of Northrup Hall. Reception 5 p.m. 1 Trinity Place. Visit new. trinity.edu/events.
File art
SAC Lecture: Hot Potato Tuesday “Racism Takes Many Shapes” with Linda Baumheckel noon-1 p.m. at United Methodist Campus Ministry, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441. SAC Event: Welcome reception for Jothany Blackwood, vice president of academic success, 3-5 p.m. in Koehler, 310. W. Ashby. Call 210-486-0937. NLC Lecture: Dan Harris, author of “10% Happier,” 5:45 p.m. in Room 201 of welcome center. Call 210-4865404. NLC Film: “Freedom Riders, Part 2” 6 p.m. in theater of performing arts. Call 210-4865404 or visit nlclibrary. libguides.com/createdequal. UIW Event: Headwaters volunteer workday 8:30-11:30 a.m. behind the baseball field. Continues Wednesdays. Email Hellen Ballew at hellen.ballew@ amormeus.org.
SAC Event: Wild West Rodeo Round Up with music by Colin E. Mangrem and mechanical bull 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in mall. Call 210-4860126. SAC Event: Valentine’s Outreach 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in health promotions office in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0158. UIW Event: Public reading and signing with Octavio Quinanilla 6 p.m. in special collections of Mabee Library. Email joshua.robbins@ uiw.tx.edu. NLC Basketball: NLC men vs. SPC 7 p.m. in wellness gym at NLC. Call 210-4865404.
SAC Event: Mardi Gras celebration featuring Dixieland music 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0126. SAC Sports: 7-on7 coed flag football league scrimmage 3-6 p.m. at San Pedro Park. Call 210-486-0129. NLC Volleyball: NLC women vs. Victoria College 7 p.m. in wellness gym at NLC. Call 210-486-5404. SAC Play: “Rabbit Hole” directed by Charles Falcon and presented by the department of fine arts 7:30 p.m. in theater of McCreless. Continues 7:30 p.m. Feb 13-14 and 19-21 and 2:30 p.m. Feb 15 and 22. $5 with Alamo Colleges ID; $8 other colleges, senior and military; $10 general. Call 210486-0255.
sat mon Event: Free Valentine’s Day mass weddings by the Rev. Joe Sullivan at 12:01 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on northside of Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa. Call 210-335-2223 .
NLC Event: Pool tournament sign up in Room 131 in Student Commons. Call 210486-5404. PAC Film: “The Tuskegee Airmen” 9-10:45 a.m., 11 a.m.– 12:45 p.m., 1–2:45 p.m. and 3–4:45 p.m. in annex of student center. Call 210-4863125 or visit http:// www.alamo.edu/pac/ blackhistorymonth/. Trinity Recital: Guest recital with harpsichord and voice featuring Christina Edelen and Timothy Jones 7:30 p.m. in Ruth Taylor recital hall. Visit new. trinity.edu/events. Concert: The Tontons and Wild Moccasins 8 p.m. at Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson. Tickets start at $12. Call 210-223-2830.
SAC Event: President’s Volunteer Service Awards 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0157.
Trinity Event: Trinity in Focus open house for prospective students 8:30 a.m. Visit www.new.trinity.edu/ admissions-aid/campus-visits-programs/ trinity-focus.
Trinity Lecture: “La Economía de Dios: Almavisión & the Latino/a Prosperity Gospel Movement” by Arlene Sánchez-Walsh 5:30 p.m. in Room 040 of Northrup Hall. Reception at 5 p.m. Visit new.trinity.edu/ events.
SAMA Event: Meditation 10:15-11 a.m. in the Japanese Garden, 200 W. Jones. Free with Alamo College ID. Continues Saturdays. Call 210978-8100.
SAC Boxing: Boxing team participates in Preliminary Regional Golden Gloves tournament 6 p.m. at Woodlawn Gym, 1103 Cincinnati. Call 210734-2813.
sun
black history month Feb. 9 SAC Lecture: “Trailblazing in Politics” by Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner 12:15-1:30 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0593. Feb. 10 SAC Panel: Police Use of Force 10:50 a.m.12:05 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0593. Feb. 11 SAC Event: Buffalo Soldiers Encampment 9 a.m.-noon in mall. Call 210-486-0593. Feb.12 SAC Event: The Dating Game 11 a.m.-noon in the round of Loftin Call 210-486-0593. SAC Event: Poetry slam noon in cafeteria of Loftin. Call 210-486-0593. Feb. 16 SAC Lecture: Dr. Reagan Flowers “Pushing Beyond Your Limit: Writing Your New Chapter in STEM” 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Room 218 nursing complex and 6:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium.
Concer t: The Freebies, The Beers, Ants, WIB 9:30 p.m. at the Ten Eleven, 1011 Avenue B. $5. Call 210 320-9080.
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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance. Visit theranger.org for more upcoming events.
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CHILDCARE from Page 1
CAREER PLANS • MEET THE PROS
Marianne Odom petitioned early childhood to accept Mora’s degree plan with the additional course, explaining journalism is beneficial to her degree plan. The department agreed and allowed her child to re-enroll for spring. “There shouldn’t be a restriction as long as you’re going to school and your grades are up,” Mora said. This college’s early childhood studies department offers childcare for students, whose children are 5 or younger, predominantly those in professional and technical majors, thanks to a grant called “CCAMPIS,” provided through the Department of Education. Child Care Access Means Parents In School gives students the opportunity to enroll their children in childcare on campus while they work to achieve a degree. This college is one of 86 educational institutions in the country to receive the grant. It allows the college to grant scholarships to students who receive Pell grants or have military dependents. The college receives $313,469 every year for four years and is one of six institutions to receive the grant in Texas. According to the list of 2014 grantees on the Department of Education’s website, of all the colleges in Texas, this college receives the third highest grant behind the University of Houston, receiving $375,000 annually and the University of Texas-Pan American, which receives $360,172 yearly. This college places 15th of 86 national grantees. The application process to receive the schol-
arship requires students to register for at least nine hours, pay tuition and provide a concise student schedule along with an account summary and a recent household income tax return. Students also must submit a degree plan showing the courses completed and the grades earned, as well as courses currently enrolled in and future courses needed to graduate. The academic adviser must sign off on the degree plan. Vernell Walker, dean of professional and technical education, said in an email, “Students receive money for child care from a grant that explicitly states that only students who follow the degree plan would receive money for child care.” However, the website for the Department of Education states that low-income students who receive Federal Pell Grants are eligible for the scholarship. No mention is made of following a degree plan. Ellen Marshall, chair for early childhood studies, said the department has been receiving the grant for about 12 years. Marshall wrote the grant with the college’s grant writer. The proposal submitted to the Department of Education states that students who are to receive the scholarship must enroll only in classes on the degree plan. “The goal of this grant, and the Department of Education, when we wrote our proposal, that’s what we said we would do, is to require … we’re under obligation to them to do that,” she said. Psychology freshman Ana Faces, 23, used to have to take her child to an off-campus day care
Thursday, February 19, 2015 6 - 8 p.m.
San Antonio College Nursing & Allied Health Complex, Room 218 Students will have the opportunity to listen to communication professionals share insights into the real world of various communication careers. Students can ask questions and get advice in three separate 30-minute sessions in the following areas: Advertising Graphic/Web Design Journalism/Writing Marketing/Opinion Research Public Relations Radio/Television Social Media Pre-Register by sending your name, school, and email address to: AWCMeetThePros@gmail.com A $5 cash fee will be charged at the door. Light snacks will be provided. Co-sponsored by:
Meet the Pros ad.indd 1
1/12/2015 10:08:15 AM
Psychology freshman Ana Faces drops off her child, Carlos Nayen, 2, Thursday at the early childhood center before classes. Cynthia M. Herrera three days each week. Now she has the convenience of having childcare on campus. “It’s really cool, they’re super professional,” Faces said. “They’re clean. They have their centers. It’s organized. However, she did not know that students are limited from exploring classes outside of their degree plans. “Some people who aren’t sure what they want to study, taking other classes helps,” Faces said. She would also like to study for something in computers, to be able to fix them and have a second option of a career, but enrolling her child in the early childhood center limits her. Faces said, “I would like to see it change
Feb. 9, 2015 • 3
because it’s not the same. You don’t have the freedom. You can’t choose.” According to The College Board’s website bigfuture.com, college is an opportunity to explore options and find oneself through preferences for courses and activities. In a video by The College Board, Chio Flores, director of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Washington State University, explains why college is important. “It is more than just about the job,” she said. “It is a lifechanging opportunity for them to develop as young people.” She continued, “In terms of that, education is so much more than just the four-year degree.” Walker said in an email that the goal of the college and of the CCAMPIS grant is to get students to graduate as soon as possible and get a job. Kris Clark, interim vice president of student and academic success, said in a phone interview, “We want our students to be goal oriented and to be successful. Ultimately in our minds, success is empowering students to go into the workforce and be successful or transfer to a university and be successful.” Clark served as executive vice president of this college in 2006-2008 before transferring to the district for a year as vice chancellor of academic success. Despite a variety of programs encouraging students to graduate, Clark said nowhere is it set in stone that graduating at a fast speed is a goal of the college.
Prem
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Feb. 14 more than chocolate Holiday history stems from pagan roots. By Pam Paz
ppaz2@student.alamo.edu
Valentine’s Day often induces feelings of butterflies in the stomach and the anxious awaiting of a special delivery to the home or work. Feb. 14 marks the day of love and is celebrated by more than 62 percent of Americans, according to www.history.com. It is also observed in many countries across the world, including Canada, Japan and India. Today, Valentine’s Day is known as a celebration of love and lovers, but its history shares some dark legends and mysteries. The day originated in Rome as a pagan festival called the Feast of Lupercalia. During this festival, men struck women with strips of goat and dog hide, believing it made the women fertile, according to the Association of Polytheist Traditions. The festival was Feb. 15. Afterward, men drew names of women in a matchmaking lottery, and would be coupled for the duration of the festival, which lasted the remainder of the night. The Roman legend claims Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome, were thrown into the Tiber River as babies, by orders of their uncle. The twins washed ashore and were rescued by a
family of wolves, or lupers. After avenging their uncle, they rediscovered the den, or lupercal, where they were raised, and the first Feast of Lupercalia was in the cave. According to www.catholic.org, the origin of St. Valentine is still a mystery, but his existence was confirmed when archaeologist Professor Orazio Marucchi unearthed a Roman catacomb and ancient church dedicated to St. Valentine in 1878. One belief is St. Valentine was a Roman priest martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Another opinion suggests St. Valentine was a priest jailed and executed around Feb. 14 in 270 A.D. for defying Emperor Claudius II. St. Valentine later became the patron saint of love and lovers. Pope Gelasius ended the Feast of Lupercalia in 498 A.D., and declared the day to be known as St. Valentine’s Day. Mike Burton, English, reading and education chair, said the Catholic Church has an amazing ability to incorporate pagan festivals into their liturgical calendars. Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day all have pagan origins, he said. He said the process of sublimation — taking a primal, uncontrollable urge and harnessing it into a socially acceptable behavior — has, in part, turned Valentine’s Day into a celebration about love and romance.
“Sex and reproduction is sublimated into romance and love,” he said. Some scholars suggest romance became linked to Valentine’s Day because of the English and French belief in the Middle Ages that birds began mating Feb. 14. According to the English city of Hull’s website, French Duke Charles of Orléans is said to have introduced the tradition of gift and note exchange on Valentine’s Day in 1415, when he wrote a poem to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London after his capture at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War. The poem is part of a collection at the British Library and begins with these lines: “I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine, Since for me you were born too soon, And I for you was born too late.” Many things have changed since the days of Duke Charles. For many, Valentine’s Day emphasizes coupledom and the perfect gift more than real love and affection. “Capitalism turns everything into a commodity,” Burton said. The pressure to shower a loved one with gifts and a five-course meal causes undue stress to many people in relationships, according to www.thedailycal.org.
Pair credits humor, obedience for happy match Longtime couple teaches government at this college.
In 2014 it was Martinez’s turn to decide, and she selected Memphis, Tenn., to visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Martinez said sharing an office does not impact their desire to see each other at home.
By Tim Hernandez
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Professor Suzanne Martinez, 51, and Dr. Michael Berrier, 65, are office mates, but an office, Room 230 in Chance Academic Center, is the least of what they share. The two professors have shared a life together for 30 years that includes two daughters, Philippa, 23, and Ruby, 21. Martinez studied at UTSA, earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science, and has taught at this college for 14 years. Berrier received a bachelor’s in philosophy and a master’s in public affairs from UT-Austin, and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied the relationship between government and state bureaucracies, using the California legislature and state higher education for his case study. Berrier has taught at this college for 28 years as an adjunct. The couple met in Austin at a Whole Foods store at the intersection of Lamar and Ninth Street, where Martinez, 20 at that time, worked as a cashier. Berrier, 34 then, lived just around the corner from the store and worked for Gov. Bill White’s administration. Martinez played on a women’s Frisbee team and worked to support herself. Martinez said Berrier shopped there
Political science Professor Suzanne Martinez and Adjunct Michael Berrier pose Thursday in their office, Room 230 of Chance. The couple have been married 30 years. Tim Hernandez regularly, and one day he asked her out on a date. They have been together ever since. At home the two enjoy talking about government and politics over coffee as they read the San Antonio ExpressNews and The New York Times. She starts with the Express and he with the Times, and then they swap papers, Martinez said. Martinez and Berrier revealed their secrets to a long, successful relationship. “If you like somebody, then you tend to want to stick around,” Martinez said. Berrier added, “A list of things. Humor — and I do what she asks me to do.” Both professors laughed at the comment. But they always take turns choosing vacation spots.
“No, because normally we’re not (together all day),” she said. “When we’re here, we’re teaching in a classroom. “We work around each other, (not with each other).”
What to do someone o
From movies to musicals, entertainment for sweethe By Richard Montemayor
rmontemayor15@student.alamo.edu
For those having a hard time deciding where to take that special someone on Valentine’s Day, here are a few ideas that will not break the bank. The theater department at this college is kicking off the 2015 season with a production of “Rabbit Hole.” Written by David Lindsay Abaire, it’s a story about Becca and Howie Corbett, who thought they had everything a family could want, until an accident turns their world upside down. Charles Falcon, fine arts instructor, said this play is not necessarily a datenight story. “This play deals with death and grief, so please be aware of that,” he said. Tickets for the show are still available and will be sold on the day of each show. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 19-21, with Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22 in the McCreless Theater at this college. Tickets are $5 with a stu-
miere
Feb. 9, 2015 • 5
Student Government Association hosts charity ball All donations go to Family Violence Prevention Services. By Aaron Martinez
amartinez1628@student.alamo.edu
Hosted by the Student Government Association for the second year in a row, the Charity Ball will be from 8-11 p.m. on Feb. 12 at The Koehler House, 310 W. Ashby. The ball raises money for Family Violence Prevention Services, said SGA President Karen Elliot. Donations of canned food, toiletries, non-perishable items and gently
used or new clothing will be accepted as admission. Elliot said the association wants to give back to the agency, which is not only part of the community but also has been involved with this college by making shirts with encouraging slogans and hanging them up in Loftin Student Center in October. “There are SAC students who have benefited from this charity, and they are willing to take almost anything and everything that we can offer them,” she said. The event is open to the public. The Lion and The Rose British Restaurant and
Pub will cater, although there is no official menu for the event.
DJ 50 will provide the music, and song requests will be taken in Room 260B of Loftin Student Center through Feb. 12 and through the SGA’s Facebook page. The dress code is formal, and the theme of the dance will be masquerade, Elliot said. Masks can be purchased at Party City, Amazon, Atlantis Discovered and Earthbound Trading Co. File “I think it also goes well with our theme, masquerade,” Elliot said. “It’s kind of like unmasking domestic violence and bringing a little more awareness to that.”
Jury out on asexuality Therapists and a student differ on clinical definition.
o with that special on Valentine’s Day
San Antonio offers earts. dent ID. Students without an ID pay $10. For more information, call 210-486-0255. For more of a love story, couples might plan a date at the San Pedro Playhouse to see ”The Last Five Years.” Starring Grant Bryan as Jamie and Reagan Wilson as Cathy, “the musical tells the story of a fiveyear relationship through song,” said Shannon Bishop, box office manager. She said the two actors start from different points in the show. The female actor starts from the end of the relationship and moves backward, and the male actor starts in the beginning of the relationship and moves forward. Tickets are $32 for adults, $15 for students and $20 for military. Bishop said the show runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 15. For more information, call 210-733-7258. For a romantic film under the stars, Movies by Moonlight presents a free Valentine’s Day screening of “Sleepless in Seattle” 6-8:45 p.m. Feb. 13 in Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St. The event includes a cash bar,
food trucks and music. For more information, call 210-207-3677. Movie buffs should also know that Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has three locations across San Antonio: 1255 SW Loop 410, 618 NW Loop 410 and 22806 N. U.S. Highway 281. The theaters offer student and military discounts of $7 during the week and $8 on the weekend. The Scobee Education Center at this college will host “Over the Moon: A Valentine’s Day Mission to Space,” a simulated space mission at the Challenger Learning Center 6:30–8:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Wine and cheese will be served for guests 21 and older. Tickets for the event will be given away on Great Day S.A. and Fox News First. For more information, call Gina Gutierrez at 210-4860103 or gmedrano1@ alamo.edu.
years ago, said, “There needs to be a lot more research about it. Is it severe low desire or is it really a sexual orientation? Calling it a disBy R. Eguia order is a big controversy, but without more reguia1@student.alamo.edu research, we can’t call it.” Jami Keeton, liberal arts sophomore, idenBogaert decouples romantic and sexual tifies as asexual. attraction when defining asexuality because Asexuality is defined as “Distinct from romantic attraction refers to emotional attachcelibacy, which refers to sexual ment while sexual attraction refers to physical abstinence by choice (meanlust. ing that sexual attraction and Keeton said, “People often confuse asexuals desire may still be present), with aromantics who don’t want to be in a relaasexuality is seen in those tionship, but although I have never experiencing a lack of sexual cared for the sexualness itself, I attraction or sexual desire,” in the don’t mind companionship; I just book “Understanding Asexuality” by have never been a very romantic or Anthony F. Bogaert. gushy person.” “I have hormones, too. I just don’t Not all sex therapists are preact on them; sex sounds terrible to me. pared to adopt asexuality to the I have never had sex, and I have never Keeton sexuality spectrum. been pressured to,” Keeton said. “I am on the fence about asexuBased on a study Bogaert published in ality being defined as a sexual orientation 2004, he found that only 1 percent of humans because it’s not sexual,” said Ann Hardee, regare likely to be asexual. istered nurse and host of KSYM’s Wednesday “During Coming Out Week, night sex talk show, “Night Moves.” I came out as asexual, and even “I cannot imagine asexuality. I the people in GALA had not heard have rarely heard about it, and most about it. “ people refer to it in a humorous way. Keeton has a twin sister who They don’t take it seriously. They say came out as lesbian in the sevthat person hasn’t met the right perenth grade, and her older sister son and maybe they aren’t doing it identifies as pansexual, someHardee right,” Hardee said. one who has a sexual attraction, All jokes aside, “Asexuality is not sexual desire, romantic love, or emotional something you randomly commit to; it is who attraction toward people of all sexes or you are, not a phase,” Keeton said. gender identities. “An asexual person is never gonna knock “For a long time, I identified as on my door because they are fine with themstraight and it was nerve–racking to tell selves. They are tired of being pathologized. my sisters that I was an asexual because Just like being gay or bi, you know what you’re they cared so much about sex, but I attracted to,” Crow said. never felt the same as them and I didn’t Keeton said, “The top questions people know how to tell anyone. My sisters had always ask me are: Are you sure? What is asexunever heard of it and told me that it ality? And do you masturbate? Which they ask made a lot of sense for me. They are the in broad daylight, but if I were to ask that, that only approval I needed.” would be a no-no. They are just curious if I Keeton, 19, realized her sexuality do what they do. Most people just think I am last semester when a series of stressful a plant.” events prompted her to see a counselor. On Valentine’s Day Keeton will attend a “After watching a documentary about National Association for Campus Activities asexuality on NetFlix, I realized that I workshop to learn how to organize fun events am an asexual. I read more research and and meet potential vendors. studies about it and found that it really Keeton said, “I have never had a valentine. sounded like me. Some part of me knew, I don’t think Valentine’s is about two people; but I never knew the name. “ it’s about everyone. In elementary school, Licensed professional counselor Cay Valentine’s is for the whole class and I have Crow, who heard about asexuality only 10 kept that mentality.” Illustrations by Estefania B. Alonso
6 • Feb. 9, 2015
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Editorial
Editor Katherine Garcia
Managing Editor Mandy Derfler Assistant Managing Editor – News Cynthia M. Herrera Assistant Managing Editor – Features Richard Montemayor Calendar Editor Aaron Martinez Staff Writers Victoria Aguilera, Jose Arredondo, Tyrin Bradley, Christina M. Briseno, Eddie Chozet, Kyle R. Cotton, Travis Doyle, Marina Garcia, Priscilla M. Galarza, Sabrina Griffith, Tim Hernandez, M.A. Horta, Te Keyshia Johnson, Derek Landis, M. Luna, Danny Geraldo Martinez, Edith Moctezuma, Nathalie Mora, Janelle Polcyn, Karenna J. Reyna, Matthew Reyna, V.L. Roberson, Johann Spiess, Alyssa Zapata Photo Editor E. David Guel Photographer Gwen Garcia Alexandra Nelipa
Photo Team Cassi Armstrong, Anthony B. Botello, Vanessa Frausto, Jon Hernandez, Elle Howard, Jack Jackson, Tress-Marie Landa Multimedia Editor Daniel Carde Video Team Neven Jones, Rey Ruiz, Taylor Tribbey Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant Pam Paz Promotions Manager R. Eguia Distribution Manager Shelly Delgado
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©2015 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 782124299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available by phone (210) 4861765 or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299 or faxed to (210) 486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Trust students to make decisions Remember the secondary reasons for earning a college degree. Students who seek childcare need look no further than this college’s early childhood studies department. The department offers discount childcare for children through the age of 5 thanks to a grant provided through the department of education. To qualify, students must enroll in nine hours, pay tuition and provide a concise schedule, account summary and degree plan signed by their adviser. However, some students choose to take courses outside the degree plan
to explore a second major, for fun or personal enrichment. Some programs naturally support one another as in the case of an RTVB student who wanted a journalism class. Fortunately, logic reigned in her case and she was allowed to enroll in a course that supports her studies. Students sometimes start out committed to a major, but soon find they are not suited to the field or it simply wasn’t what they imagined it would be. That is an important function of education. Today it’s the early childhood center, but the writing is on the wall.
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This district wants more graduates, and pushing students through preordained degree plans is the fastest way to increasing graduation numbers. Every student shouldn’t have to seek an official waiver. Advising is important and having a plan for completing a degree or certificate is vital, but trust students to be able to make their own decisions about their classes. That, too, is an important function of education. Let students have the freedom of access to affordable education that will lead to an improved quality of life. Yes, that, too, is an important function of education.
OrgSync frivolous Student life spending needs to benefit all students instead of select few.
VIA bus stops at college on a rainy day. File photo
VIA to class offers its own lessons Viewpoint by Travis Doyle
We’re moving in the right direction with the possibility of the OrgSync/ACES integration. The application will allow ACES to be more user-friendly, eliminating the need to log in twice. So now the district is bringing in yet another consultant to help the Alamo Colleges do things more efficiently? There is a price tag, but it’s neither been finalized nor disclosed. How many students are involved in clubs and organizations? Further, how many involved in clubs and organizations actually use OrgSync? Why not ask if students still use pagers. Granted, some clubs — mostly those closely affiliated with student life — do keep postings up to date, but a large majority don’t. A quick search of OrgSync revealed the Biology Club hasn’t posted anything since October. Club advisers, usually professors, are too bogged down with duties to update OrgSync. The office of student life by far has the most information on orgsync.com, just as it does all over campus on bulletin boards, which are often flooded with outdated events. Let’s not forget student life receives a significant budget for a staff whose job is to inform students of the activities their student activity fee pays for. Of the $336,016 student activity budget for fiscal year 2015, $130,772 pays the salaries of two full-time coordinators. This equals almost 40 percent. For that much, shouldn’t they also keep the bulletin boards current? Before approving this measure, the board needs to take the lead in making sure money is spent on things to benefit all students, not just a select few.
News
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Feb. 9, 2015 • 7
Time constraints are the biggest reason professors deny requests. By Pam Paz
ppaz2@student.alamo.edu
Students who need a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or adviser should approach them early and give them plenty of time to write it, said an adviser at this college and a former student. It is not uncommon for students to request such letters, which play a critical role in a student’s success in higher education. The Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Guide for Teaching Fellows on Writing Letters of Recommendation states, “[Writing recommendations] should be viewed as an almost integral part of your teaching experience.” Professors, advisers and administrators are usually sought for these letters, though they are not required to write them. Bertha Castellano, senior adviser at the women’s center, said there’s nothing written that says writing letters for students is required, but it’s something nice a professor chooses to do. Stephanie Koenig, 2014 criminal justice distinguished graduate of this college, said her multiple requests for letters of recommendation were denied and ignored. In September 2014, Koenig requested letters from four former professors, including the head of the criminal justice department, for law school applications. Of the four, only one responded. Koenig said the professor agreed to do it, and they began communicating via email in
September. She said she informed the professor she needed it sometime before the end of the semester, so she could start applying to law schools this spring. In December, Koenig contacted the professor for the letter, but did not get a response. She said she sent multiple emails and never heard back. “I was an honors student,” Koenig said. “I got A’s in all their classes and I worked really hard, and they still ignored me.” She said students wanting recommendation letters should ask professors before they leave their class or this college, and if she could do things differently, she would have asked for the letters before she graduated. “Trying to get a hold of them or help from them outside the class is nearly impossible,” Koenig said. “It’s sad that teachers only care about the success you have in their class, but not outside the classroom, and that’s not the message, especially the heads of departments, should be sending to students. They should want more for them.” Dr. Val Calvert, chair of business, administrative computer technology and criminal justice, said she has never refused writing a letter for any student who has asked her “I have no problem writing letters for students based on academic performance,” Calvert said. She said she does not recall Koenig requesting a letter from her. She said it’s possible Koenig may have asked Tiffany Cox, criminal justice program coordinator, but Cox was not available for comment. Calvert said it’s best for students to request letters from someone they know personally.
Castellano said she receives numerous requests for recommendation letters and has never denied a student. She has written more than 100 letters of recommendation in the last two years, she said. Castellano assisted students with scholarships at the women’s center for 11 years, but in the last two years has done more advising and requests for letters of recommendation, she said. Timing is the most important thing to consider when asking for a letter of recommendation. “It would be nice to have two weeks, especially for those who are teaching courses; I’m sure they’re very busy,” Castellano said. “When you bring in a document, you really want to give them enough time to think about it and tailor it to the application you’re submitting.” Professionals in higher education are the best source for letters of recommendation. Developing good communication and establishing an academic relationship with your professors, advisers and mentors is critical, she said. Students should provide a copy of their résumé, essay and scholarship application whenever a letter is requested. The more information, the better, she said. Castellano said she has written multiple letters of recommendation for students who have a proven track record with her. Castellano said time constraints could be the biggest reason professors deny requests for letters of recommendation. “It’s really nice to have the opportunity to write a good letter for a student, but it takes some time,” she said.
I-BEST from Page 1 assisting to apartment and building maintenance to administrative computer technology while participants learn and improve their developmental math and reading skills. For college and career prep, Sadler-Nitu said the work is relevant to a student’s field of study, such as writing an English essay about the student’s selected career. There are 416 students who have completed the program or are continuing as of August 2014, and SadlerNitu hopes to have 4,848 students complete or continue by August 2020. “If we can have success in this area, we can have success in any area,” District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate said of improving the sixthgrade reading ability of the program’s target students: 34-year-olds. District 6 trustee Gene Sprague said he will continue to be an advocate for funding I-BEST because the program yields better results than developmental education. “We are going to get a whole lot more for our dollar doing this than trying to put those 30 percent students through six years of developmental education that are never, ever going to make it.” According to the presentation, only 15.3 percent of the lowest developmental English reading students passed a reading gatekeeper course within three years. Sprague said compared with developmental education, the program opens the door because it gets jobs for students. “You didn’t come here for six years of developmental education,” he said. He said a good percentage of I-BEST students say, ”Hey, I can do more than I thought.” He later said some students eventually become college-ready through developmental classes, but advised funds be decreased for developmental education and redirected into I-BEST, “a realistic pro-
Melissa Sadler-Nitu, director of Alamo Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training, speaks to district trustees about improving and expanding Alamo I-BEST during a Student Success Committee meeting Tuesday at Killen. Alamo I-BEST is a career training program for students needing developmental courses. E. David Guel gram that works.” Student trustee Jacob Wong mentioned the benefit of having two different options for students to get through the hurdle of passing developmental classes. He said developmental classes are still successful. Sprague said the current number of developmental classes is too high, and he suggested reducing the current number — three math and four Integrated Reading and Writing (INRW) — to two classes each. District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate said the contextualized learning process of combining assignments with career research makes I-BEST successful. Chancellor Bruce Leslie agreed with Wong, saying no program is a “silver bullet” to single-handedly improve developmental education scores. He reminded Sprague the district already has reduced the number of developmental math courses from four to three, and instead of three reading courses and two English courses, there are now four INRW classes. Sadler-Nitu said the program is meant to not only assess students in the second tier of the process, assessment, but through every step
of the way. “We work with students constantly to make sure they’re successful,” she said. If a student has difficulty coming to school for reasons such as not having transportation or needing childcare, then help for them is found in the budget. She said most barriers can be addressed, but students may have to either take distance-learning courses or wait a semester to attend class if they need more time to find a solution on their own. Sadler-Nitu said she hopes to increase the number of courses and career options the program offers in the future. She also said there was a waiting list. She said for the first time, an adult who is a provider is going back to school and getting their basic education. She said the program, located on the Westside Education Training Center, is not on all the Alamo College campuses, a goal she hopes to achieve by 2015. She said there needs to be a spirit of sharing students between other adult education providers, which retain their students who would be a good fit for I-BEST to get their GED
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Recommendation letters are service, not obligation, adviser says
the traditional way. District 2 trustee Denver McClendon said his concern is the student who wants to go to college but the assessment says they’re not ready. She said until the program is physically on all Alamo College campuses, the connection will not be made or suggested by a counselor. The I-BEST program recruits students from Uvalde, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Cuero, Beeville and Victoria. Similarly, Ruth Ann Dalrymple, vice chancellor for academic success, gave a presentation on college readiness and MOUs, which are an agreement among all local high schools and the Alamo Colleges and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She also said any high school student taking a designated college preparatory course in math or English can have the course count to the Alamo Colleges or UTSA as their student development requirement. Dalrymple sent English Chair Mike Burton and math Professor Frank Maldonado to meet with a group of high school teachers for their respective courses to find out how to bridge the developmental gap. Burton said the notion that a final grade of 75 in a senior English or math class automatically demonstrates college readiness and meeting the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI) is a low standard. He said 80 percent of the final grade comes from their work on completing a professional portfolio and a formal assessment rather than their coursework alone. A grade of 70-74 will give the student high school credit, and they will not pass TSI compliance. “The high schools wanna graduate students from high school; we wanna make sure that students can be successful when they come into our college-level courses,” Burton said.
Tips for more effective study Time management and the right study location are important. By Daniel Carde
dcarde@student.alamo.edu
Being organized and keeping a schedule makes time management easier, but a planner can help, s a i d K i m Br i a n a Lorine, former Estefania B. Alonzo Phi Theta Kappa president. “Time management is important,” Lorine said. Color-coding events, such as tests, due dates and work schedule, will help, Lorine said. Student development Professor Jim Lucchelli said, “You should plan to study two hours out of class for every hour in class if you want to be successful in college.” A full-time student enrolled in 12 hours should study 24 hours a week for a total of 36 hours. That equals a full-time job, he said. Along with ample study time, location can play a role. “You need to find a good place to study,” Lucchelli said. Not all students study well in the same environment, he said. Some students need a quiet place; some study better with soft, non-distracting music. Finding the correct time to study is key, Lucchelli said. He encourages students to find the time that works for them. Some students find studying when they wake up to be the most effective, and for others, studying before bed works best. Find a study place with good lighting that is comfortable, but not too comfortable, he said. “I don’t think studying on a bed or something that is too soft is a good thing,” he said. Shorter, more frequent sessions enforce better learning than one long study session, Lucchelli said. He recommends students learn about professors before signing up for a class. He said a few ways to learn if a professor is hands-on, visual or book-heavy, are websites, word of mouth from students and meeting with the professor. “If they will spend time with me prior to being their student, that’s a good indication they are going to spend time with me when I become their student,” Lucchelli said. Having a positive attitude is important, he said. Don’t go to class with self-defeating behaviors. “If your grades aren’t what you want them to be, maybe what you are doing (isn’t) working. You need to regroup,” Lucchelli said, who also recommended University of Southern California’s YouTube video “Top 10 Study Tips.” For more information, call Lucchelli at (210) 486-0152.
Pulse
8 • Feb. 9, 2015
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Text on your way to school... Seriously! Texting is allowed on board VIA, so go ahead and talk, e-mail and browse, and leave the driving to us. Plus, VIA makes life on the go easier with the “Go VIA VIA” mobile app. This handy app, available for both iPhone and Android devices, is great for planning bus trips and getting real-time bus arrival information for any stop in the system. Real-time bus arrival information is also available by texting the stop ID number to 52020.
Double doom Above: Northwest Vista College criminal justice sophomore Alan Del Valle attempts a shot over business sophomore Deron Taylor and kinesiology sophomore Andrew Butler during the second half of the Feb. 4 game against the Rangers in Huisache Hall. Del Valle scored 12 points. The Wildcats came out on top 71-64. Below: Kinesiology sophomore Crystal Gutierrez and nursing sophomore Emerald Herrera dive for a loose ball during the first half of the Feb. 4 game between the Lady Rangers and the Lady Wildcats in Huisache Hall. Northwest Vista won 44-41. See more online. Photos by E. David Guel
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“The results speak for themselves; we were a five-star chapter and now we’re a two-star.” Hessbrook said. “When you take sole responsibility for projects, you get all of the blame.” Lorine said chapter rules required her to take sole responsibility. “According to the bylaws, it’s supposed to be me who is in charge of the projects and work closely with the adviser,” she said. Lorine said she did seek input from members throughout the semester. “When working on the projects and other activities, I was open to suggestions and asked if there were any issues and no one said anything,” she said. According to Lorine, once a grievance was filed and addressed within the chapter, she and club adviser Roger Stanley were accused of collusion and changing the bylaws. She said the rating drop occurred when Stanley, an astronomy professor, submitted a late project to the national PTK organization. Once it’s approved, the chapter will return to its previous five-star rating. This has led Hessbrook and others to try and change the bylaws at the club officers’ meeting so that so much power and responsibility doesn’t reside with the chapter president. Hessbrook said Lorine’s decision to run for
historian is “in poor taste,” but the organization cannot stop a qualified member from running for an officer position. Stanley said Lorine shouldered many duties by herself and the bylaws say the president should delegate responsibilities appropriately to other members. “Many of the projects and tasks she took on by herself and didn’t keep members properly informed,” he said. Stanley said he could not verify Lorine’s claim that the club would be restored to its five-star rating once a project was approved. “There is a checklist that only PTK officials can access that shows what the chapter needs to accomplish in order to achieve a certain rating,” he said. One missing item on the checklist was the honors study topic, one of the five-star challenges, which can be attempted by an individual but must be presented to the chapter, he said. The presentation could have been done through a paper or PowerPoint, Stanley said. “She did a lot of the work, but she didn’t keep the members informed,” Stanley said. Stanley dismissed accusations of collusion with Lorine, noting that he was left out of the loop like the others. “It’s hard to collude when one of the individuals doesn’t know,” he said.