.org
the
ranger Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Colleges
An independent forum of free voices
Volume 91 Issue 10 • Feb. 13, 2017
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Dating game The classic Valentine’s Day icebreaker returns with prizes, including an Amazon Echo and Valentine’s candy. Page 4
Professor history after 47 years Professor Mike Settles details the negative changes experienced in last seven years. By Zachary-Taylor Wright zwright9@student.alamo.edu
History Professor Mike Settles called it quits Wednesday after 47 years here. He abruptly retired four weeks into the semester because he said he is upset with the changes Chancellor Bruce Leslie has enacted.
Settles said he taught his final class Tuesday. Settles told The Ranger in an interview Wednesday that Leslie has shifted district administrators’ focus from the quality of students’ education and experience at this college to success metrics and graduation numbers, resulting in students who are unprepared for a post-associate degree reality. “I want my students to be successful,” Settles said. “Now, my classes are very, very
challenging, and I tell my kids it’s going to be very tough for them, especially given the fact a lot of them do not have the best academic preparation. But if they can pass my class, that’s my certification they can move on from here and be successful at the next level.” Settles graduated from this college in 1964 with an Associate of Arts. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas in 1966 and a Master of Arts at
See SETTLES, Page 3
Tech Rangers SAC Tech Store to launch service department Page 3
online now Mexican-American politics class begins this semester Lonely pool seeks buoyant company Society of Women Engineers overcoming adversity
District works with vague offices, costs The appraised value of the current district offices cannot be verified. By Zachary-Taylor Wright zwright9@student.alamo.edu
Students, staff and faculty dance to “YMCA” by the Village People Feb. 3 at the third annual Charity Ball at Koehler Cultural Center. Guests had to donate a toy, clothing or three non-perishable food items for the St. Peter’s-
St. Joseph’s Children’s Home. The office of student life hosted the dance, and the Student Government Association sponsored it and the charity drive. Brianna Rodrigue
New security devices added Devices allows classroom doors to remain locked while still offering access. By Nicole Bautista
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Over winter break the districtwide safety and emergency management department began the installation of security devices to nearly 1,350 classroom doors throughout the district that will allow faculty and students to quickly lock down a classroom in the case of an emergency. The concept of these devices is to help secure classroom doors in the event of an active shooter or terror attack. “We scoured, looked and checked out basically hundreds of different locking devices and talked to peers out there at other colleges and business sectors,” said Mike Legg, district director of enterprise risk management. Two devices were chosen to be applied to classroom doors throughout the district. The swing of the door determined which device would be applied to each door. “If the door swings inward, toward the classroom, the Lockdown Magnet is the device used,” Legg said. “If the door swings outward, toward the hallway, the Lock-Blok is the device used.” The Lockdown Magnet is a magnetic strip that is placed over the metal striker plate on a doorframe, preventing the door latch from entering the strike plate and locking. In the case of a lockdown, an instructor can slightly open the door to remove the magnet, locking the door. The Lock-Blok is a small rubber device that resembles the letter “H.” This keeps the door ajar about half an inch, preventing the latch
A Lock-Blok is mounted on a door in Room 100 of Loftin Feb. 8. The LockBloks, added during winter break, allow doors to be locked faster from the inside, ensuring safer and quicker lockdowns. Emily Garcia from coming into contact with the strike plate. In the case of a lockdown, the instructor can slide the device away from the doorframe, allowing the door to shut. With the use of either device — the door is always locked — preventing staff from needing to find a key, then needing to step out into the hallway to lock the door. “The general protocol that we asked the colleges to follow is that we want the classroom doors to be in the locked position all the time,” Legg said. “24/7 would be a perfect scenario.” An instructor should deploy the Lock-Blok and Lockdown Magnet upon entering the classroom, Legg said.
See SECURITY, Page 3
The Alamo Community College District broke ground on a new $55 million district support office Jan. 20 at 2222 N. Alamo, but will not explain the construction costs. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, said the $55 million budgeted for the district support office consists of $45 million allocated to construction and $10 million allocated to furnishings, fixtures, equipment, moving costs and architect expenses and other fees. Strybos said he cannot provide an itemized breakdown for the cost of construction nor the $10 million because it is a “moving target.” In the recommended projects of the capital improvement program trustees approved in January for a May 6 election, the largest sum of money allocated to one of the five district colleges was $30 million to St. Philip’s College’s new culinary arts facility. Similar in scale to the district support office, Tobin Lofts, at 1415 N. Main Ave. is approximately twice the size of the proposed district support office and cost about a third the price. NRP Group managed the construction of Tobin Lofts. Laura Balli, senior construction coordinator for NRP Group, said the gross square footage of the lofts is 315,000 and the final cost of construction was $18.951 million. The district support office will cost nearly twice the amount of the culinary arts facility and more then five times the amount allocated for replacing St. Philip’s College’s Bowden Building. To repay the $55 million in bonds allocated to developing the new district support office, Strybos said the other district offices — 201 W. Sheridan St., 7980 Pat Booker Road and 811 W. Houston St. — will be sold. According to a July 16 presentation for a Citizens Advisory Committee discussing the district support office options, the Sheridan Street property was appraised at $2.4 million, the Pat Booker Road property was appraised at $9.6 million and the West Houston Street property was appraised at $2.7 million.
See DISTRICT, Page 3
Courtesy
People
2 • Feb. 13, 2017
www.theranger.org/multimedia
Sweep away History Professor Jason Fabianke and psychology sophomore Daniel Sanchez protest Gun it Cadet Marcelo Bini takes Cadet Jeremy Perez’s dummy gun during a gun-retention training session for the Basic Peace Officer Course of the Law Enforcement Training Academy Feb. 8 north of the law enforcement training center. Chief tactical Instructor M.C. Joseph demonstrated the four common handgun retention methods before cadets partnered to practice. During the one-minute scrimmages, cadets followed basic safety rules but were otherwise free to inflict any harm necessary to retain or attain the gun. Alison Graef
hatred at the Muslim Student Association event Sweep Hate outside the center for learning resources at St. Phillp’s Feb. 7. Fabianke is an adviser for the MSA and Sanchez is a member. The MSA has meetings at noon Thursdays in Room 219 of Sutton. Kristel Orta-Puente
Design
Architecture sophomore Bailey Wachowski works on two artist-inspired projects in Adjunct René Balderas’ Architectural Design 2 class Feb. 6 in Chance. Students have one project inspired by Juan Gris, called the “ground” project, and another by Piet Mondrian, which is the building/object project. “Some of the windows on the doors in Chance are actually Mondrian inspired,” Wachowski said. Aly Miranda
Quiz time Biology sophomore Markus Potter and elementary education freshman Samantha Casler work together on an open-notes quiz for precalculus Feb. 8 in the SLAC lab on the seventh floor of Moody. The lab offers individual and group tutoring, peer mentoring, student success workshops, test proctoring, printing and study rooms. Many of the services also are available to community members, who must show photo identification cards to use the lab. To learn more or make a tutoring appointment, call 210-486-0165 or email sac-slac@alamo.edu. Alison Graef
today
tues
wed
thur
fri
sat
SAC Service: Advocacy Center 8 a.m.-7 p.m. in Room 323 of Chance. Continues 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. Call 210-486-1003.
PAC Event: Valentine’s Day fundraiser sponsored by PAC Club Stand 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the courtyard. 210-486-3880.
Event: Playdates: Dragon Dance 10–10:45 a.m. in China/ Latin American art atrium of San Antonio Museum of Art. 200 W. Jones. Ages 2-4 free with museum admission. Call 210-978-8100.
Exhibit: “United We Are One” local artist showcase 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in Plaza de Armas Gallery of Public Art San Antonio, 115 Plaza de Armas. Continues weekdays until March 31. Call 210-2071435.
PAC Event: Student trustee application deadline 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Room 124/101 of student center. Call 210-486-3125.
Event: Basura Bash 8 a.m.-noon. RSVP 210-850-8520 or visit basurabash.org.
PAC Course: Lifeguard training 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through Friday in the aquatic center. $150. RSVP csierra5@alamo.edu. SAC Event: “The Example” movie screening 9:25-10:40 a.m. in Room 218 of the nursing complex. Continues at 10:50 a.m. with a Q&A with the director, producer and writer. Call 210-486-0593. SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon-1 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0133.
PAC Event: Valentine’s Day floral arrangement sale 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. in Room 108 of San Marcos. Call 210-486-3880. PAC Event: Bae-B-Safe karaoke for students 18-20 and parenting 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the student center annex. Call 210-486-3880. SAC Lecture: “Muslim Ban” by Professor Asslan Khaligh. 12:15 p.m. in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap. Call 210-733-1441
SAC Event: Karaoke Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128.
SAC Meeting: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship prayer meeting 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the mall. Continues with Bible study 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 103 of McCreless. Call 210-204-6842.
NLC Event: Dodge ball at 2 p.m. in the gym of the wellness building. Call 210-486-5404.
PAC Event: Education transfer fair 12:30-2:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Ozuna. Call 210-486-3131.
SAC Meeting: Parkour Club noon-2 p.m. in the Dean’s Backyard inside the tennis courts.
NLC Workshop: Professional communication and customer service 1-2:30 p.m. in Room 218 of student commons. Call 210-4865612. Event: Sketching in the Galleries 6-8 p.m. at San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free for members and $10 for non-members. 200 W. Jones. Call 210-978-8100.
File
SAC Event: Ice cream social 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. PAC Event: Lunch & Learn: The Tuskegee Airmen 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Room 102/117 of Ozuna. Call 210-486-3880. NVC Lecture: Active shooter training for students and employees by Alamo Colleges police officers 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. in Room 102 of Mountain Laurel. Call 210486-4682. SAC Meeting: Social Justice League noon-12:30 p.m. in Room 105 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0137. Event: ArtFULL Wednesdays: Virtual tour de France: Coastal Towns of Normandy noon-1 p.m. at the McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Call 210-8245368.
SAC Event: Wild West Rodeo 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210486-0125. SAC Event: Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers Encampment exhibit 10 a.m.-noon in the mall. Call 210486-0593. NLC Lecture: Effective time management 2-3:30 p.m. in Room 218 of student commons. RSVP 210-486-5612. SAC Meeting: Alpha 3:30 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-324-6319. SPC Event: Healthcare information technology information session 6-7 p.m. in atrium of center for health professions. Call 210486-2653.
SAC Meeting: KSYM 90.1 FM staff and volunteers 3 p.m. in Room 201 of Longwith. PAC Event: Valentine’s story and craft time 5-7 p.m. in the children’s library. Call 210-486-3570.
File
Event: Toddler Art Play: Sculpt It! 10:30-11:30 a.m. at McNay Art Museum, 6000 New Braunfels. Call 210-824-5368. SAC Lecture: How to write a research proposal 3-part series: Part 1, Literature Review. 11 a.m. in MESA Center in Room 204 of Chance. RSVP at orgsync.com. Call 210-486-0085. SAC Meeting: Asian Pop Society 2-5 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-365-1244. SAC Event: Planetarium shows 6-9:30 p.m. at Scobee. ACCD students and staff ID $2. Adults $5. Ages 4-17 $4. Continues Fridays. Visit sacscobee.org. Event: On the Cusp of Change: Gallery Talk by senior adviser to Asian Art, Emily Sano Ph.D. 6:30-8 p.m. at San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Meet at the front desk. Call 210978-8100.
SAC Event: Grilled chicken and sausage plate fundraiser for the Social Work Students Association 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in Lot 13 east of Fletcher. Presale tickets $7.50 in Room 323 of Chance. Call 210486-1003.
sun SPC Event: Black History Month Presentation of San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble 2 and Academy of Fine Arts Jazz Concert 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Watson. Call 210-4862782.
File
For coverage in People, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Feb. 13, 2017 • 3
Tech Store to launch service department Tuesday Students are a first priority at the new Tech Rangers Service Center in the welcome center. By Brandon A. Edwards sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college will open a tech services department at 8 a.m. Tuesday in the SAC Tech Store inside Duran Welcome Center at 1819 N. Main Ave. The SAC Tech Store will offer free consultations, demonstrations on new technology such as the Oculus Rift and refreshments. The first 50 people in the door will receive a gift from the Tech Store. When this college’s tech store opened in August, it was recognized only as an Appleauthorized campus store. It began by offering select Apple, Dell, HP and Microsoft products.
With the addition of the Tech Rangers, it will become the first community college in Texas to be an authorized service center, service technician Chris Arriaga said Monday. The Tech Rangers is a team of licensed service technicians trained by Apple, Dell, HP and Microsoft. Of the four who will work in the department after the opening, all four will service Dell, HP and Microsoft. Two of those will also service apple products, store manager Ana Ortega said. The SAC Tech Store is an official Apple service provider that will offer services on warranty and non-warranty Apple, Dell, HP and Microsoft computers. Services will include diagnostic exams, virus removal, operating system installation
and configuration, system back up services, hard drive and RAM upgrades, screen replacements and software installation. Service charges vary from Apple to PC. A diagnostics scan will cost $50 for either computer, but a hard drive replacement in an Apple computer will cost $120, while on a PC it would cost $100. “Think of this as a mini Apple store,” Prevott said. “Anything we can do in store we will do.” With the Tech Rangers on campus, students will move to the head of the line, unlike a normal Apple service center. “If I have a line of 20 community members waiting for service, a student comes in with a valid Alamo Colleges ID and Banner number, I take them first,” services manager Aaron Prevott said.
The SAC Tech store is an official Apple service provider outfitted with tools needed to provide services not only for students at this college but also the public. Arriaga said this location is the southernmost authorized Apple service provider in Texas. Other Apple service providers in San Antonio are at La Cantera and North Star Mall. “The sales benefits are for Alamo College students, but the services and repairs will be for the entire community,” Arriaga said. Students and community members will be able to receive service and repairs the same day. For more information, contact the SAC Tech Store at 210-486-0942 or visit www. sactechstore.org.
SETTLES from Page 1
DISTRICT from Page 1
Trinity University in 1968. He received a teaching fellowship and earned a doctorate in history from Texas Christian University in 1972. Settles joined the faculty here in 1970 to make a positive impact on students and provide students the same positive experience he had at this college. “I wanted to come back here and teach at SAC because of what SAC had done for me,” Settles said. “I wanted to do that for other students who came to this place with no real experience in their families with college. I wanted to help turn them around just as this place turned me around.” Settles said this college opened his mind to seeking knowledge and grew his curiosity. Now, Settles said, the Alamo Colleges are graduating students who aren’t able to compete at four-year universities and in career History Professor Mike Settles explains his reasons for his sudden departure to his last class Feb. 7 in markets. Chance Academic Center. Brianna Rodrigue Settles said lowering the quality of education and demanding less from students to visit the colleges. This fall for the first time, the event was boost graduation and success metrics are According to Policy B.5.2, which was moved to a Friday from a Wednesday. negatively impacting students’ futures. last amended Oct. 27, 2015, board memSettles said he has spoken during the “When they move on from here to the bers “shall not conduct independent inves- citizens-to-be-heard portion of three board next level, where they’re at a school that has tigations, hearings, listening sessions or meetings, saying he voiced his frustration higher standards and they find out they can’t fact gathering directly from employees, or with administration for falsely claiming to compete because they’re not prepared, we become involved in the day-to-day opera- be focused on students and “bald-face lying” haven’t done them any favors whatsoever. tion of the College District’s various depart- about faculty morale. We’ve done them a disservice. We’ve simply ments or colleges. A Trustee visiting a College Settles said he had a survey circulated set them up for failure, and that’s a travesty. I shall advise its President in advance of the via Faculty Senate to faculty and the results don’t want anything to do with that.” Trustee’s arrival, and a Trustee visiting the showed 84 percent of faculty members were This shift in focus from quality of eduDistrict Support operations shall similarly more dissatisfied with administration since cation to success metrics began when advise the relevant Vice-Chancellor.” Leslie’s appointment as chancellor. Chancellor Bruce Leslie was hired in 2006. Settles said requiring educators to submit A 2009 no-confidence vote showed 92 Settles said this is evidenced by the massive amounts of paperwork prevents the percent of faculty districtwide already had increase in budget to fund district administrahighest quality of education in the classroom lost confidence in the chancellor’s ability. tion and the decrease in budget to fund stuand detracts from the educators’ focus on the The night the board received the vote results, dent activities, a nursing staff, the employee classroom. trustees awarded Leslie a raise. tuition assistance program Settles said his door Settles said he also spoke at citizens-toand educators. was always open to any- be-heard about the lack of a nursing staff to I once told Faculty Settles said the employone who wanted to watch serve students, which he said all other local Senate ‘I fear when ee tuition assistance prohis teaching style and ade- universities and colleges provide. I leave here, I’m gram provided financial quacy. Submitting “wildly Settles explained to his classes Feb. 6 and going to be an assistance for tuition for important goal” and evalu- 7 why he was leaving, and they responded faculty and staff and their ation reports to a district with understanding and applause he said. angry man.’ And I children. employee who has never Settles said he has plenty to do after he am angry. “This place has a madstepped into the class- vacates his position, such as maintain his ranch Mike Settles, dening tendency to make room, is a poor means of and spend time with his five grandchildren. history professor changes for the sake of measuring the quality of Settles said his classes will be taken over change,” Settle said. “If a education in a classroom, by adjuncts. change is made and it’s he said. Dr. Ellen Marshall, chair of the Mexicanbeneficial, that’s great. But if it’s not ben“Wildly important goals” are part American studies, early childhood studies, eficial, they will not go back and admit a of the Four Disciplines of Execution, a sociology, social work and history departmistake and change it back or seek a better FranklinCovey system to measure account- ment, said the college and district prefer solution because they’re so self-righteous ability that is required of all employees in faculty avoid leaving mid-semester. about what they’ve done, they refuse to the district. Marshall said she was sorry to see Settles admit wrong. Settles said this decrease in college qual- go before the semester ended, considering Settles said the board of trustees is at the ity will not cease until Leslie is removed from how long he had been teaching at the college. mercy of Leslie, when Leslie should follow his position, saying students and employees Marshall said Settles went through the their instructions. might need to rally loud enough that the official retirement process, allowing him to Settles said board members used to visit media get involved. maintain his benefits after leaving. this college to better understand what issues Settles said he had been a member of Faculty Settles recalled a conversation he had students and employees face, but the curSenate for the past three years, saying he spoke during a Faculty Senate meeting. rent board dictates decisions from a buildout against having Faculty Development Day “I once told Faculty Senate ‘I fear when I ing across town. Board policy now requires during classes when it should be on a Friday to leave here, I’m going to be an angry man.’” notice to the ranking official for trustees to accommodate the four-day work week. Settles said. “And I am angry.”
According to the presentation, renovating the current district offices would cost $46.9 million and the district could have sold the Playland Park property for $12 million, leaving a $34.9 million actual cost. By renderings from Strybos, the building will be 156,237 square feet. Strybos also called Chancellor Bruce Leslie’s office within the three-story building a “moving target.” See the architectural renderings on www.theranger.org. According to the district website, the district support office will house 465 district employees; however, Strybos said some district employees will not be housed at the support office because they have offices at a college. Strybos said he is not required to release the name of the appraisal company, saying he does not wish to release the name to The Ranger at this time. In an interview Jan. 10, Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the liquidation of the current district buildings for $20 million could reduce the actual cost to approximately $40 million. Snyder said $40 million is reasonable for housing 500 people.
’’
SECURITY from Page 1 Both security devices allow students and faculty to leave and enter the classroom as needed while the door remains in a locked position. In deciding which type of security devices to purchase, some of the criteria included price, ease of use and local control at the classroom level. “This was the easiest, quickest and most cost-efficient way that we felt we could give local control to the professors and the students, to be able to easily lock the door down and hopefully protect their safety,” Legg said. This is not the fix for all time, but it is the most cost-effective and quickly deployable line of protection, he said. There are pricier devices out there that would grant more security for the doors by providing a secondary locking device; the current devices use the normal locking mechanism on the door. Mike Burton, chair of English, education, humanities and journalism/photography, said that in considering fall 2017 when concealed carry goes into effect at community colleges, this seems like a fairly inexpensive and quick solution. “I think that these new devices provide a pretty cost-effective way to get the appropriate security,” Burton said. “The magnetic devices are portable, so we expect missing devices,” Legg said. “We will just have to be diligent about keeping track of that.” For more information, call Legg at 210-485-0206.
Prem
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Sweet day planned for Ronald McDonald House Students will bake cupcakes and cookies with children. By Grayce Trevino
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college will send volunteers today to bake goods with children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House near campus. All clubs, faculty, staff, students and adult family members are welcome to join the activity. For more information or to participate, students should contact Joseph Liedecke, coordinator of student success, at jliedecke@alamo.edu with their full name and Banner ID. Participants will gather at 11:30 a.m. today at the community engagement annex next to the Methodist Student Center on West Dewey Place. They will then walk to the Ronald McDonald House, 227 Lewis St., where out-of-town families stay for free while their children receive medical treatment in San Antonio. This college will provide the ingredients to make cupcakes, cookies and cakes. Volunteers will break into teams in four kitchens. Liedecke said this college has been doing events like this for many years. “It’s a good thing to do; it’s the right thing to do,” Liedecke said. Such events get “students involved in their own backyard.” Many student clubs require a certain amount of volunteer hours. Participation will count toward this. Students are also gaining experience that can be written on their résumé. A lot of volunteers are also given employment opportunities, Liedecke said. The Ronald McDonald House houses families of sick children, according to the
Ronald McDonald House Charities history page online. Many families are forced to travel long distances to get medical treatment for their children. The Ronald McDonald House was started Oct. 15, 1974, by Fred Hill from the Philadelphia Eagles. His daughter had to get medical care for leukemia. Hill and his wife spent long days and nights on hospital benches and in waiting rooms. Today, there are more than 350 Ronald McDonald Houses around the globe. The Ronald McDonald House near this college is housing 12 families, roughly 25-30 people. Heather Bivin, director of community and guest relations, said she is excited to have this college at their facility. “We love it,” Bivin said. “Being a nonprofit, we rely heavily on volunteers.” “(The kids) need that social interaction; it really does make them feel special,” Bivin said. Bivin hopes everyone has a “fun, laidback time. We put out fliers and mention it verbally to all the residents we come in contact with.” Families of no more than four can stay for free at the Ronald McDonald House. They must have a permanent address of more than 20 miles away. Families are also assigned small household chores like vacuuming. The baked goods will go to the residents at the Ronald McDonald House. The volunteers will be making someone’s life a little better and brighter, Liedecke said. “Besides all of that, it makes you feel good; it makes you feel good to know you’re helping someone else,” Liedecke said.
Volunteers to craft
Students meet at 11:30 a By Kimberly Brown sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Estefania B. Alonso
Students can volunteer to help senior citizens make Valentine’s Day crafts at St. Francis Nursing Home 2-3 p.m. Tuesday. The event is hosted by the office of civic engagement. The time students spend in this project can count as volunteer service hours. Bianca Sapet, coordinator of student success, can log these into a database. Students can report service hours when applying for scholarships and for awards such as the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Students involved with clubs or organizations may also be required to complete volunteer hours, and hours spent on the project can count for that, Sapet said. Students will meet at the office of civic engagement at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14 and walk to the nursing home at 630 W. Woodlawn Ave.
‘Empire’ actress co Lecture series expected to be uplifting event. By Sasha D. Robinson sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Grace Byers, who plays Anika Calhoun on the Fox TV series “Empire,” will be a guest speaker at the President’s Lecture Series at 11 a.m. Friday in Watson Fine Arts Center at St. Philip’s College. The St. Philip’s P r e s i d e n t ’s Lecture Series provides opportunities for the college and c o m -
munity to hear speakers’ perspectives on a broad range of local, regional, national and international issues. The lectures are provided by the college at no cost to the audience and are designed to attract students, faculty and staff as well as the greater San Antonio community. Byers shares her personal philosophies with audiences. She believes in taking the time to be still and become aware of oneself, and to have compassion and grace for one another. According to articlebio.com,
Actress Grace Byers will speak at th Thursday in Watson Fine Arts Cente Calhoun on “Empire.” Courtesy Byers was born Grace Gealey on July 26, 1984, in Butler, Penn. She grew up in the Cayman
Classic dating game retu Prizes include an Amazon Echo and candy. By Mario Parker Menchaca III sac-ranger@alamo.edu
a B.
fani
Este so
Alon
This college will be hosting its version of ABC’s classic game show “The Dating Game” at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria in Loftin Student Center. Students can volunteer to participate in the Valentine’s Day icebreaker. In the TV version, a bachelor or bachelorette quizzed three contestants who were seated behind a wall and hidden from view. The bachelor picked a contestant based on their answers, and the game show paid for their date. This college’s “dating game” will have
similar staging and ques testants. Students are not press date with their match. The contestants cho will each receive a free Consolation prizes inclu candy. In an interview Feb. Knotts, chair of the depa ative multimedia, describ questions from previous y “It is a mixer of both sh students,” she said. “It is hear their responses and ence interact.” Students are provided tions starting with simpl as favorite foods and mus The questions become provoking, such as “Whic acter describes you?”
miere
Feb. 13, 2017 • 5
with senior citizens
a.m. and walk to St. Francis Nursing Home. They will decorate the community room for Valentine’s Day and help senior citizens complete Valentine’s craft kits that residents can use to decorate their rooms. The event is a “wonderful way for students to get involved in their community and give back,” Joseph Liedecke, coordinator of student success, wrote in an email when he was unavailable for an interview. Sapet said these senior citizens do not get many visitors and this is a wonderful time to engage them. Sister Inga, the activities director at the nursing home, said, “The residents love visitors, especially students, because they’re young and energetic.” Liedecke explained the real value of volunteering. “The most important thing about volunteering is it’s the right thing to do,” he said. Students can sign up in the office in Room D403 of Building 19, the community engagement annex, or by email to jliedecke@alamo.edu or to Sapet at bsapet@alamo.edu. Building 19 is one of the portable buildings on Dewey Place north of Loftin Student Center. The building is open 8 a.m. to 5 p. m. weekdays.
When in doubt Liberal arts freshman Lauren Holmes and theater sophomore Lauren Hunt of “Doubt: A Parable” rehearse Feb. 1 in McCreless for their production debut Thursday. The drama follows a nun who is the principal of a Bronx parochial school and suspects a priest of an improper relationship with a male student. “Doubt” runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Feb. 23-25, and continues at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26 in McCreless theater. Tickets are $5 with campus student ID; $8 for other colleges, seniors and military; and $10 general admission. Noah Acevedo
oming to St. Philip’s No glove,
he President’s Lecture Series 11 a.m. er at St. Philip’s. Byers plays Anika
Islands with deaf parents who raised her learning sign language.
These challenging experiences made her strong and committed to her dreams. Byers is involved in “Saving Our Cinderellas,” a movement that empowers young girls and women to stand up against bullying. Byers addresses social issues such as the discrimination she faced in moving to America, social and cultural adjustments after moving to the U.S. and uplifting one another with the importance of celebrating life in the moment. The President’s Lecture Series is presented once every fall and spring on the St. Philip’s campus.
Actress and Image Award nominee April HernandezCastillo presented the fall lecture Oct. 6, and Levar Burton, who is better known as Geordi La Forge of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the host of “Reading Rainbow,” was a guest speaker Feb. 11, 2016. Other guest speakers included a member of the Mississippi Freedom Riders, Daymond John of “Shark Tank” and Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th surgeon general of the U.S. RSVP for the lecture at www. alamo.edu/spc/pls-rsvp/. Call Beautrice Butler at 210486-2670 or email bbutler@ alamo.edu.
urns
stioning of con-
sured to go on a
osen for a date Amazon Echo. ude Valentine’s
3, Dr. Barbara artment of crebed some of the years. hy and outgoing s a lot of fun to d see the audi-
d a list of quesle subjects such sic. e more thoughtch Disney char-
Bachelorette Ashley Lauterbach asks the audience which bachelor to keep during The Dating Game in Loftin Feb. 11, 2016. Bachelor No. 1 Edward Rico was the first to be eliminated followed by Bachelor No. 2 Jake Pearson. Bachelor No. 3 Drew Sandoval won the date with Lauterbach. File The college’s game show usually ends with a flirtatious question, like “Which would you rather receive: candy, flowers or a kiss?” and “Why should I pick you over the other contestants?” Knotts could not confirm if any of the matches made in previous “Dating Game” events on this campus have led to lasting relationships.
The Black Student Alliance has presented the mock game show for the past five years, but the club is not active this semester, Knotts said. The Black History Month Committee will sponsor “The Dating Game” this year. For more information, email Knotts at bknotts@alamo.edu.
no love
Valentine’s Day carnival will feature games, goodies and safe-sex awareness. By Maritza Ramirez sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students can celebrate romance — and learn about safe sex — at Cupid’s Mini Carnival 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the mall. The carnival will include free games with chances to win goodie bags containing a plush toy, candy and a Valentine’s Day fortune cookie, said Marisa Martinez, senior student success specialist. “The fortune cookie is Valentineoriented,” Martinez said. “It will say something like, ‘Today you’ll meet your soulmate.’” She said couples on campus can do something fun with their significant other. All games are quick and easy, and students can play as often as they like. The games have a theme that evokes Cupid: target practice. Students can try hitting a pingpong ball with water-gun spray, shooting a bow and arrow into a hole on a tarp decorated with hearts or throwing a bean bag in a “hungry heart” corn hole toss. “There will be a total of three booths and we are hoping to have two more, but I’m not sure,” Martinez said. The carnival also will feature safe sex awareness and HIV-prevention booths. Student life is partnering with two campus organizations to provide the health information: Bae-B-Safe and health promotions, Martinez said. Bae-B-Safe is a new organization aimed at educating students about healthy sexual behaviors. “We’ll have fun handing out the condom lollipops and condom V-Day cards,” said Lucy Gauna, Bae-B-Safe/PREP coor-
dinator of student success. Estefania B. Alonso Bae-B-Safe made free condom lollipops and Valentine’s condom cards to promote safe sex. Each condom lollipop will have a condom attached to a lollipop stick. Bae-BSafe representatives also will give students Valentine’s Day cards, each containing a condom. Bae-B-Safe is located in the community engagement annex, Portable 19 D402/ D403. Call Gauna at 210-486-0140 or email lgauna5@alamo.edu. Gauna said student success adviser Mary Dayton has coordinated a table for health promotions and Texas Wears Condoms, which will be at the carnival offering free sexual health resources, education and contraception. Texas Wears Condoms, based in San Antonio, provides free condoms and information on HIV/ AIDS prevention. Those resources are especially important this time of year. “Because, you know, it’s Valentine’s Day, everything is about love,” Martinez said. “Couples are going to be taking things to the next level in their relationship.” Martinez said the carnival also offers a respite “for those who want a break from class.” She is hoping about 100 people attend. Though it is not required, student life will scan student IDs to keep count of how many students attend the carnival. “It’s nothing big, just a quick game — take a break,” Martinez said of the festivities. Call Martinez at 210-486-0125 or email mmartinez135@alamo.edu. For information on student life’s health promotions, call Dayton at 210-486-0127 or email mdayton4@alamo.edu.
Editorial
6 • Feb. 13, 2017
.org
the
ranger
www.theranger.org/editorial
Editor Zachary-Taylor Wright
Managing Editor Michelle Delgado News Editor Emily Garcia Features Editor James Dusek Calendar Editor Christy Romero Staff Writers Samantha L. Alonso, Bismarck D. Andino, Ashley Bailey, Nicole M. Bautista, Kimberly Brown, J. Carbajal, Rachel Cooper, J. Del Valle, S.R. Garcia, Maria Gardner, Camryn Geissler, Niesha Goodloe, Elena Longoria, Mario Parker Menchaca III, Wally Perez, Maritza Ramirez, Grace Reyes, Sasha D. Robinson, Jayondra Spann, Austin P. Taylor, Grayce Trevino, Jakoby West, Solomon A. Wilson Photo Editor Brianna Rodrigue Photographers Noah Acevedo, Deandra Gonzalez, Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Hannah Gonzalez, Zaeva Mercado, Kristel Orta, Renee Talamantes Multimedia Editor Brandon A. Edwards Video Team Christian Erevia Illustrator Estefania B. Alonso Social Media Promoter Miranda Holden ©2017 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-3941. 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 classes in the Journalism Program 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, Journalism Program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 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.
Photo illustration by Brandon A. Edwards
New position does not equal safety Preach student safety but do something to help. With the introduction of a new college position for emergency risk management, we hope to see real change. The blue emergency call boxes aren’t reliable; a number of them do not work. Unlit parking lots and dark spaces on campus are the norm for students who attend evening classes. But, hey, let’s assume this new position brings peace to all of these situations. Call boxes work and the whole campus is well lit at night. Will we ever feel safe enough? Every week, we receive emails
reporting theft, burglary and assault on or around campus. Women walk around with pepper spray clasped to their backpacks and car keys embedded between their fingers on the way to the parking lot. So what — if anything — will a risk management person do to help students feel safer internally? The director and new hire say student safety is the No. 1 priority, but what exactly are they referring to? Wasting time performing drills that involve walking 100 feet away from buildings isn’t ideal. Most students would probably hit the ground running if a real emergency were to occur. Or like the boy who cried wolf,
couldn’t all those drills make us less responsive in an actual emergency? Isn’t there something else we can do that would be more helpful? For example, why don’t we offer more self-defense classes? Right now, there is only one selfdefense class at this college at 9:25 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday. But only one section. Why not offer short workshops directed at a particular technique? We hope the coordinator of college risk management will focus more on real areas of concern and be willing to listen to suggestions. We don’t need another district initiative that looks good in a report but has little to do with our reality.
All Follins questions point to HR The chancellor needs to explain Follins’ financial award. The public ought to know why money was wasted on Dr. Craig Follins, former “abusive” and absent Northeast Lakview College president. Chancellor Bruce Leslie removed Follins from the position in October 2015. The chancellor has denied the public a statement, aside from granting the professional language depicted in his memos to Follins — granted after 1 1/2 years of requests under the Texas Public Information Act. In the memos, Leslie accused Follins of abusing two Northeast Lakeview College employees and one district employee and missing an accreditation visit. Instead of simply terminating Follins, Leslie granted him a district position at the same salary and provided a leadership coach and out-
reach services to help him find a new job. Few chancellors might ask: “How should I treat a man who is abusive, as defined by my own standards, and neglects his presidential duties?” and answer: “Pay him the same wages, fund resources to find him future employment and … leadership skill training?” A chancellor who isn’t willing to admit he made an unwise selection might give that answer. Perhaps there’s a personal connection somewhere or perhaps there’s something else the chancellor doesn’t want us to know. Why do all remnants of Follins’ alleged abuse lead to human resources? If the metaphorical demon is cast out, it should be laid to rest. Then the curious are left to ask the victims, whom Leslie cites in his memos, for the last and final explanation of this former president’s conduct.
Unfortunately, the victims hold all the positions that can field questions about the abuse, and they are disinclined to discuss the matter. Perhaps Leslie is the one who needs to be “more human.” Tangila Dove, one of Leslie’s named victims of Follins’ abuse, headed the presidential search that yielded Follins and is the new head of accreditation at Northeast Lakeview College. At the mention of presidents prior to the interim president, Dove recommends calling human resources. But try eliciting a response from human resources. It’s time the chancellor released a statement explaining why the abusive and absent president walked away with a king’s ransom. The chancellor needs to come clean without a legal battle. Why was a college president terminated and simultaneously awarded taxpayer money for a brighter future in “a long future of leadership”?
Follow The Ranger on social media!
@sacranger
@therangerSAC
/readtheranger
/therangervideo
News Study abroad fee starts in fall www.theranger.org/news
All students are charged per semester for international programs. Grace Reyes sac-ranger@alamo.edu
A new fee will be charged in fall to each student per semester, and it’s called International Education Fee Scholarship. According to the board of trustees minute order on Dec. 13. the IEFS is a program “that ensures that all students have greater access to academic programs abroad regardless of socioeconomic status.” Students at Alamo District Colleges will be charged $1 per semester for the scholarship. “This has been passed by the Legislature in Austin,” Carol Fimmen, director of international programs, said. “It has been approved by the government of Texas. All the universities in Texas charge this fee.” Most Texas universities will
SWEEP from Page 8 Chance Academic Center Chance Academic Center has the department of physics, architecture and engineering on the first floor. Two contracted custodians are seen, one during the morning and one during the evening, a secretary said. Two custodians are responsible for covering the first two floors, while another two are responsible for covering the second two floors, but because of a change of management, it is now believed only one custodian is responsible for the entire building, the secretary said. According to the secretary, the custodians do not vacuum, dust or clean the windows from the outside. The third floor of Chance has the biology program offices. The custodians seen on this floor are not contracted, secretary Corina Canizales said. Canizales has seen frequent new custodians for the building. The morning shift has been seen cleaning offices, vacuuming, dusting and emptying trash, while the afternoon shift cleans the restrooms and classrooms, Canizales said. The third floor of Chance has no problems with custodial services, Canizales said. The Chance evening custodian asked to remain anonymous. The custodian said one person is responsible for the first two floors, while another is responsible for the second two floors. Together the two custodians must clean 37 classrooms and 22 restroom stalls. Duties include mopping, sweeping, picking up trash, cleaning chalkboards, cleaning water fountains and vacuuming, the custodian said. Nail Technical Center The second floor of Nail Technical Center has one contracted custodian in the morning, student success generalist Cynthia Escatel said. “The custodians we see are very
charge students $2-$4 per semester hour, but for Alamo Colleges, it will be only $1 per semester. “All the funds are going into one account, and there will be a committee of faculty members who have expertise in the international education that would develop the criteria of how the students will get awarded,” Fimmen said. The study abroad programs range between $4,000-$6,000 depending on which program is selected for the summer. Students can learn Japanese in Japan, history of theater in London, digital photography in Italy, Spanish in Spain, composition in Sydney, psychology of death and dying in South Korea, physical geology in New Zealand, and business and communication in China. The application deadline passed in November, but students can plan to apply for these programs in the fall for summer 2018. When a student signs up to do a
Feb. 13, 2017 • 7
study abroad program, the student is required to pay a deposit of $200. The deposite is non-refundable because this is money to hold the spot. “The $200 deposit secures the student’s spot for the program because we do have limited spots available, even though we have never maxed out the capacity of what we can take,” study abroad adviser Maria Rivera said. The Gilman International Scholarship sponsors the international education programs, which have been distributed throughout the country, and Alamo District Colleges is the top one to receive funding. “We are being recognized as the lead community colleges of the nation for study abroad to receive scholarships from the Gilman program,” Fimmen said. For more information, call Maria Rivera at 210-485-0084 or email dststudyabroad@alamo.edu.
Flip for fun Radio-television-broadcasting freshman Shamar Mims does a back flip off two tires Feb. 8 during Parkour Club practice north of the chemistry and geology building. Parkour usually practices on the tennis courts, but they practiced in front of the chemistry and geology building hoping to get more students interested in joining. Students interested in joining the club can join the members during practices noon-2 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the tennis courts. Brianna Rodrigue
respectful and always take out the trash, sweep, vacuum and clean the bathrooms,” Escatel said. The custodians respond fast to messes that need cleaning, Escatel said. The evening custodian of Nail Technical Center asked to remain anonymous. There are two custodians responsible for the building evening shift and one responsible for the morning shift, the custodian said. Both custodians working the evening shift in this building are contracted to McLemore. The morning custodians in the building are responsible for cleaning offices and usually have less work to do, the custodian said. She would like to change to the morning shift, but the morning shift is always covered by others, the custodian said. Changes that would help the custodians keep the building clean would be to have more people working the evening shift, the custodian said. Chemistry and geology building An administrative assistant in the chemistry and geology building notices new contracted custodians every few weeks. The custodians take out the trash, but the restrooms are not cleaned and the floors are not mopped, the assistant said. Most of the cleaning that does take place in the offices is not done by the custodians, the assistant said. The assistant also noticed many of the custodians do not speak English, which makes it difficult for non-Spanish-speaking faculty and staff to communicate with them. The chemistry and geology building has one custodian in the morning and one in the evening, evening custodian Mark Gonzalez said. During the evening, Gonzalez is responsible for mopping and cleaning classrooms, restrooms and offices. Gonzalez said the floors in the building are waxed once a week.
Duties she accomplishes during her shift are mopping, dusting and cleaning windows and restrooms, the custodian said. The custodian is the only one responsible for cleaning Loftin during the evening, but the custodian was unaware Loftin extends farther than the student center. Loftin also houses the journalism and photography programs. The custodian is contracted to McLemore.
Gonzalez is contracted to McLemore. Employees in other buildings said their floors get waxed once before the start of every semester. Moody Learning Center On the seventh floor of Moody Learning Center, one contracted custodian is seen in the morning and another in the evening, said Bertha Ovalle, administrative student service specialist. The employees who work on the floor are overall content with the custodians, but the work-study students do a lot of the cleaning, too, Ovalle said. Ovalle has seen custodians take out the trash and clean the windows and the doors. On the second floor of Moody, a librarian has seen a custodian in the evenings, but never in the mornings. The trash cans are emptied and the offices are cleaned once a day, the librarian said. The custodians on this floor
have quick response times when called, the librarian said. The evening custodians in Moody asked to remain anonymous. The custodian on the first floor of Moody is responsible for the first and second floors. Her duties include taking out the trash, mopping floors and cleaning windows and bathrooms. The custodian responsible for the third through fifth floors has similar duties. According to the custodians in this building, their job offers them no benefits or raises. The custodians in Moody are contracted to McLemore. Loftin Student Center Loftin Student Center sees one custodian in the afternoon sweeping, cleaning windows, breaking down large boxes and mopping, an administrative assistant to student life said. The evening custodian in Loftin asked to remain anonymous.
Gonzales Hall In Gonzales Hall, administrative student services specialist Paul Sanchez has seen one contracted custodian in the morning and one in the evening. “The custodians always do a great job,” Sanchez said. “They clean desks, take out the trash, clean the floors and always clean the restrooms.” The custodians in this building are prompt and efficient with calls, Sanchez said. The custodians in Gonzales are responsible for mopping and cleaning offices and classrooms, custodian Linda Hernandez said. There are two custodians assigned to the building during the morning and evening shifts, Hernandez said. Hernandez is contracted to McLemore; however, custodians hired by Alamo Colleges also clean the building. Student Success Center Despite three visits to the Student Success Center, no custodians were found in the building. Gustavo Veliz, onsite project manager of custodians contracted to McLemore, said employees are cross-trained and change buildings every few months so all custodians know all the buildings. “We clean your school as if it is your home because no one wants to be in a messy home,” Veliz said. Select buildings are given more than one custodian per shift depending on the function of the building and when main cleaning is performed, during the first or second shift, said David Ortega, district facilities superintendent.
News
8 • Feb. 13, 2017
www.theranger.org/news
Consistent, inconsistent custodial services Cleaning levels, prices for 9 college buildings
T
he total gross square feet of the nine buildings McLemore contracted to clean is 723,875 square
Housekeeping contractor Linda Hernandez cleans a classroom alongside a staff member Feb. 1 in Gonzales. Noah Acevedo
Clean sweep
By Emily Garcia
N
egarcia1009@student.alamo.edu
niture and countertops on APPA Level 2, wiping phone receivers with disinfectant on APPA Level 3, spot cleaning and spray buffing all hard surfaces on APPA Level 2, cleaning interior windows on APPA Level 3 and high dusting all horizontal surfaces above hand height on APPA Level 3.
ine buildings at this college have custodians contracted through the company McLemore Building Maintenance Inc. These buildings are Loftin Student Center, Gonzales Hall, Moody Learning Center, the Oppenheimer Academic Center chemistry and geology building, On the first floor of the student success building, Oppenheimer Academic Center Nail Technical Center, Chance custodians are frequently changAcademic Center, the nursing, administrative assistant ing complex and Oppenheimer Yolanda Castañeda said Jan 31. Academic Center. The tasks cusAccording todians are seen View contracts to the contract, doing on that of three Level 3 custofloor are sweepdial services of ing, vacuuming, contractors the Association taking out the districtwide on of Physical Plant trash, and cleantheranger.org. Administrators ing bathrooms, are provided to Castañeda said. each building, but Alamo Colleges Castañeda was unsure how reserves the right to modify the many custodians work in the APPA performance level for any building because the custodians custodial service area within a are being frequently switched building, campus, or group withwith custodians from other buildin the terms of agreement. ings. Daily duties that must be “There are never familiar faces accomplished while cleaning and whenever there is a mess we offices and classrooms according need cleaned, they don’t always to the contract are emptying trash clean it right away,” Castañeda cans on APPA Level 2; straightsaid. ening desks and chairs on APPA Despite the issues, the custoLevels 2, 3 and 4; cleaning marker dians do a good job keeping the boards, chalk trays and vacuum general area clean on that floor, erasers on APPA Levels 2, 3 and Castañeda said. 4; emptying pencil sharpeners on The custodians Castañeda has APPA Level 2; and spot sweeping seen are contracted to McLemore. floors on APPA Levels 2, 3 and 4. On the second floor of Weekly duties while cleaning Oppenheimer, one custodian is offices and classrooms according usually seen during the afterto the contract are vacuuming and noon hours, peer adviser Antonio spot cleaning carpeted floors on Botello said. APPA Level 2, dust mopping and “I have seen them cleaning damp mopping hard surfaces on restrooms, taking out the trash, APPA Level 2, low dusting all furand they do a very good job,”
!
Botello said. Martinez has seen two conThe custodians are prompt tracted custodians, one in the with cleaning messes, Botello morning and one in the evening. said. The third floor of the nursing The chair of the business, complex also has seen one conACT, and criminal justice departtracted custodian in the morning ments, Dr. Velica “Val” Calvert, and one contracted custodian in has an office on the third floor of the evening. Oppenheimer. “There was a custodian that Calvert has seen two custodiworked in this building that had ans on the third floor, one in the breast cancer, and she was wonmorning and one in the evening. derful,” secretary Anita Reyes “We are very happy with the said. “She does not work here job they do on this floor,” Calvert anymore, but she was always very said. “They are just wonderful.” good at her job and taking care Tasks the custodians are seen of us.” doing on this floor include vacuReyes has seen custodians uming, dusting windows, cleanin the building clean windows, ing the insides of windows and desks and doors. taking out the trash, Calvert said. “The custodians always clean The evening custodian messes right away and do whatassigned to Oppenheimer wished ever the contractor asks of them,” to remain anonymous because Reyes said. the custodial manager told her There are two custodians not to give her name. working the evening shift in the The custodian has been workbuilding, who are responsible for ing at this college cleaning 91 classfor two weeks and rooms before the For questions was unsure of end of their shift. or for custodial daily procedures. The average assistance, She was evening shift is call facilities unaware if she 3-11:30 p.m. management at was contracted The custodi210-485-1235. to McLemore or ans in this buildhired by Alamo ing asked to Colleges. remain anonymous. She was the only custodian on The custodians are not grantduty for the building. ed vacations until three years of service, according to one of the Nursing complex custodians in the building. The first floor of the nursThis custodian has been working complex has no problems ing with the company for two with custodial services, Jacob years and three months and has Martinez, director of student conyet to earn a raise from $8.50 an duct said. hour. That makes for an annual The student conduct departsalary of $17,680, well below the ment has been moved to the nurspoverty level for a family of four, ing complex because of construc$24,600. Both custodians were tion in Fletcher Administration contracted to McLemore. See SWEEP, Page 7 Center.
!
feet. The McLemore contract lists duties custodians must abide by and the level of quality cleaning the company must meet under the APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities guidelines. APPA stands for the Association of Physical Plant Administrators. There are five performance levels of cleaning quality, according to APPA. Each level describes minimum requirements custodians must perform while on duty. Alamo Colleges uses APPA Levels 2 to 4 at this college. According to the contract, Alamo Colleges did not request a base bid for APPA Level 1. Level 1 has orderly spotlessness indicators, where floors and base molding shine and colors are fresh, there is no buildup in corners or along walls, all vertical and horizontal surfaces have a freshly cleaned appearance, washroom and shower fixtures are odor-free, and trash containers and pencil sharpeners hold daily waste. The base bid APPA Level 2 annual price for custodial services is $737,044.73. Level 2 has ordinary tidiness indicators. This level is similar to Level 1 except that there can be up to two-days worth of dust, dirt, stains, or streaks on floors and base molding as well as noticeable dust, smudges and fingerprints on vertical and horizontal surfaces. The base bid APPA Level 3 annual price for custodial services is $629,847.01. Level 3 has casual inattention indicators. This level allows buildup of dirt and floor finish in corners and along walls; dull spots or matted carpet in walking lanes; streaks or splashes on base molding vertical and horizontal surfaces with dust, dirt, marks, smudges and fingerprints; and trash containers with daily waste. The base bid APPA Level 4 annual price for custodial services is $565,547.47. Level 4 has moderate dinginess indicators. Floors are swept and vacuumed, but are dull, dingy, and stained, there is a dull path or obviously matted carpet in walking lanes, base molding is dull and dingy, all vertical and horizontal surfaces have conspicuous dirt, dust, marks, smudges and fingerprints, and trash containers and pencil sharpeners have old trash and shavings. According to the contract, the district did not request a base bid on APPA Level 5. Level 5 has unkempt neglect indicators. This level allows floors to be completely dull, dirty, scuffed, and matted. There can be a conspicuous buildup of old dirt and floor finish in corners and along walls, and base molding is dirty, stained and streaked. This level allows gum, stains, dirt, dust balls and trash to be present, all vertical and horizontal surfaces have accumulations of dust, dirt, smudges and fingerprints, all of which will be difficult to remove; light fixtures are dirty with dust balls and flies, and trash containers and pencil sharpeners overflow.