.org
the
ranger Serving San Antonio College since 1926
An independent forum of free voices
Volume 90 Issue 12 • Feb. 22, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Beware the catphishers Page 7
VP position remains unfilled Candidate declines offer; committee is accepting applications for new search. By Melissa Luna
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre performs “Furtherance” in honor of Black History Month Feb. 12 in McAllister. “Furtherance” was choreographed by retired Alvin Ailey dancer Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and conveys a progression of human sorrow to
ecstasy. The next Black History Month event is the Read-in Scholarship Awards with speaker Stephanie D. McKenzie 10:50 a.m. Tuesday in the library performance area on the fourth floor of Moody. Call 210-486-0586. Alison Graef
Groundbreaking for online now Victory Center Wednesday St. Philip’s College students can participate in survey
SGA discusses UTSA transfer help, tech fair, charity ball Writing center gives students something to talk about
Trustee seeks to clarify language Amendments for equality at Alamo Colleges hint at pay policy change. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
During the Alamo Colleges’ Policy and Longrange Planning Committee meeting Tuesday, the board forwarded amendments to Policies H.1.1 Equal Education and Employment Opportunities; H.1.2 Civil Rights Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation; and G. 2.2 Access to Programs, Services and Activities. The amendments give equal employment opportunities to people of diverse gender identity and
See LANGUAGE, Page 7
President thanks state senator and grant team for victory center achievement. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
Over the summer, state Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) went to the floor of the Texas Senate and obtained $8.9 million to build new facilities and training centers for veterans at St. Philip’s College, Westside Education and Training Center and this college. The lion’s share, $7.6 million of those funds, will be used to build the Victory Center at this college. Ceremonial groundbreaking is at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Lot 14 at Main Avenue and Dewey Place opposite the Sinkin Eco Centro. President Robert Vela noted how influential Menéndez was in making the victory center happen. “When he was first elected, he took a tour of our campus, visited our veteran services and met with me and asked what I needed. My team and I made a list that included a
Courtesy new veteran center and asked if we could put a plan together,” Vela said. Vela said a couple months later, Menéndez called him prior to bringing the plan for the victory center to the Senate floor for approval. “We couldn’t have done this without the senator’s help, and he was able to get these funds thanks to our team’s ability to put together a game plan,” Vela said. He said the victory center will be a onestop shop for more than 3,000 student veterans, active military and their families to register, go through financial aid and get the support they need. Menéndez is scheduled to speak at the groundbreaking. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-486-0961 or email sac-pres@alamo.edu.
See VP, Page 7
Ready to become a 2016 graduate?
Seniors swept off feet at dance
Students wanting to graduate in May must follow process.
By Rebecca Flores sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Hair, makeup and nails were taken care of by cosmetology students at Palo Alto College. Once readied, many seniors were eager to dance the day away at the Senior Sweetheart Dance hosted by Councilman Rey Saldana. “They’ve raised their families and have contributed to the success of San Antonio. Our seniors deserve every opportunity to gather and socialize,” he said. The seniors were grateful. Virginia Hamel, 80, who belongs to the Cortez Senior Center, said, “I love it because it gets us out and we move and that’s the best part. Nothing’s better than dancing for you. And it’s social. Everybody needs to have a little joy and laughter. Music makes your heart sing.” There are many great benefits
In its fourth attempt to hire a vice president for student success, this college’s search committee is regrouping after the candidate offered the position declined the job. The candidate was not identified but officials said he declined because of personal reasons. “Even though there was an overwhelming positive response to the candidate and we offered the position to him, what happens in their personal life is out of our control,” President Robert Vela said. Committee Chair Tammy Perez is prepared to start the search over again in hopes of finding a candidate. “This doesn’t mean we stop searching,” Perez said. “It’s a process and it takes as long as it takes.” “The committee has done its job and continue to do so,” Vela said. “I have absolutely no reservations.” Perez said the committee did not hire anyone from the first batch of candidates in fall 2014 because the committee felt none were qualified enough. The second search was completed summer 2015 with two candidates visiting campus and resulted in a candidate being offered the position, but not fulfilled because of problems with human resources, Perez said. Perez will now meet with college leadership and the search committee in the next few days to ensure everyone the process remains the same. The current committee members include Harley Williams, Student Government Association president; SGA vice president Jamie Keeton; Faculty Senate president Lisa Black; Staff Council president Jacob Martinez;
By Tiffany Anne Bermea sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Rudy Gutierrez, 83, and Felisa Valdez, 85, share a dance at the Senior Sweetheart Dance Feb. 12 in the gym at Palo Alto. Raffy Gubser that come from seniors getting out and moving around, whether it’s a psychological factor or even a health factor. Dr. Stanley McCoy, psychology professor at this college, said getting out and being social benefits the lives of many seniors. “Loneliness and depression are dangerous conditions for older adults,” he said. “Social interactions stimulate memory and creativity. Social interactions for senior citizens are often called ‘the vitamin S’ (the S stands for social interaction), which may be more
important than diet for a long, healthy life.” Felisa Valdez, 85 and a widow from the Somerset Senior Center, came alone, but that didn’t stop her. “I like to dance the cumbia because you can dance it by yourself.” Psychology Professor Pamela Hill, who also teaches here, said, “Older adults can be strong, happy and wise. Most research finds that active elders live longer and more happily than inactive ones,” Hill said. “A significant proportion of the
See DANCE, Page 7
Graduation for students of this college begins at 10 a.m. May 14 at the Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St. Students approaching the end of their community college experience must meet application deadlines. The college is expecting to have a higher graduation rate this year than last, outreach adviser Lenell Clay said. “Last year, we had 1,009 students graduate, and this year, we are expecting to reach 1,100 students to graduate.” Students who want to graduate must meet the criteria. The graduate must complete all courses required for the degree with a GPA of 2.0 or better and maintain good academic standing. There is a minimum of 25 percent of coursework they must complete at this college. Finally, they must submit offi-
cial transcripts from all the colleges they have attended. On ACES, there is an online graduation application students will fill out and submit along with the graduation packet to admissions and records by the deadline. March 11 is the deadline for the spring 2016 graduation packet. The packet includes a paper graduation application form and a degree audit to be completed by an adviser. Once graduation packets are complete, they should be submitted to admissions and records by the deadline. March 20 is the final day applications can be submitted through a student’s ACES account on www.aces.alamo.edu to be eligible to walk the stage. Students pick up caps and gowns from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 1 in Room 208 of Fletcher Administration Center. Students are still able to participate in graduation even if their professors haven’t posted their grades yet, Clay said. “In April, they pick up their graduation
See GRADUATE, Page 7
SAConnected
2 • Feb. 22, 2016
www.theranger.org/calendar
Space Talk Dr. Stephen Fuselier, director Bachelor No.1 Bachelorette Ashley Lauterbach asks the audience which bachelor to keep during The Dating Game in Loftin Feb. 11. Edward Rico, bachelor No. 1 and business administration freshman, was the first to be eliminated, followed by Jake Pearson, bachelor No. 2 and film sophomore. Drew Sandoval, bachelor No. 3 and RTVB freshman, won the date. Jon Hernandez
of the space science/engineering division of Southwest Research Institute, speaks Feb. 16 in Scobee Planetarium about NASA missions and future endeavors. Aaron Rincon
Pups
Winner
today tues
SAC Event: Blood drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-486-0128. Continues Tuesday. PAC BHM Event: Black History Film Series: “The Wiz Live!” 9-11 a.m., 1:30-3:30 p.m. in student center annex. Free. Call 210-486-3125 or visit https://www.alamo.edu/ pac/blackhistorymonth/. PAC BHM Event: Black History Film Series: “Get on Up” 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in student center annex. Free. Call 210-486-3125 or visit https://www.alamo.edu/pac/ blackhistorymonth/. SAC Event: Rosary by the Catholic Student Association 12:15 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center. Email catholicstudentassociationsac@gmail. com. SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 1:30 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-1433. SAC Meeting: Club AMAR 3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0601. NVC Meeting: Pre-Health delegation 3:30-5 p.m. in Room 301 of Live Oak. Email vgutierrez118@student.alamo. edu.
Deadline: Spring 2016 Start 2, last day to withdraw for a 25 percent refund. PAC Event: Texas A&M-San Antonio recruiters 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in student center. Call 210-486-3131. SAC Meeting: Student Social Work Association 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Room 650 of Moody. Email hernandezatexas@yahoo.com. SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for Christ 12:151:15 p.m. Room 002 of Chance. Call 210-486-1233. PAC Event: Wiffle Ball Sports Day by Campus Recreation 2-3:30 p.m. at the gymnasium. 210-486-3805. SAC Event: National Society of Leadership and Success speaker broadcast Kat Cole by student life 5:45-7:45 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210486-0134. ACCD Meeting: Regular board meeting 6 p.m. in Room 101 of Killen Center. NLC BHM Event: “The Politics of Place,” a discussion of urban development, race and community 7-8 p.m. in the performing arts center. Free and open to the public. Call 210-486-5267.
wed SAC Event: Victory Center groundbreaking 10-11 a.m. in Lot 14. RSVP to sac-pres@ alamo.edu. Call 210-4860961. PAC Event: Health and Wellness Fair 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the student center annex. Call 210-486-3125.
thur SAC BHM Event: African Festival. Food, dance and capoeira 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Free. Call 210-486-0598
PAC Event: 3-Point Shootout by Campus Recreation 1-3 p.m. in the gymnasium. Call 210-486-3805.
PAC BHM Event: Civil Rights and Equality discussion 11:20 a.m.-12:40 p.m. in the Ozuna Legacy Lounge. Call 210-486-3125 or visit https://www.alamo.edu/pac/ blackhistorymonth/.
SAC Meeting: Students for Environmental Awareness 2 p.m. at Sinkin EcoCentro. Call 210-563-0447.
PAC Event: Texas Tech University recruiters 1-3:30 p.m. in student center. Call 210-486-3131.
SAC Event: Bean bag toss tournament by student life 2-4 p.m. in game room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
PAC Event: University of the Incarnate Word Adult Degree Completion Program recruiters 1-3:30 p.m. in student center. Call 210-486-3131.
SAC Event: National Society of Leadership and Success speaker rebroadcast JuJu Chang by student life 5:457:45 p.m. in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0134. Trinity Event: “How I Learned To Drive,” Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer-winning play inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s novel “Lolita.” 7 p.m. WednesdayThursday and 8 p.m. FridaySaturday in Attic Theater of Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center. Call 210-999-8515 for ticket information.
fri
SAC Event: Seven-on-seven coed soccer league for those who registered 3-7 p.m. at Olmos Basin Park. Call 210486-0125. SAC BHM Performance: Concert choir and chamber singers perform gospel, spirituals and jazz 7:30 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Call 210-486-0598. Trinity Event: Trinity Symphony Orchestra Concert 7:30-9 p.m. in Dicke/Smith Building 114 of Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. Free. Call 210999-8212.
P A C Deadline: Last day to apply for a student editor position for the Eleven Rivers Review. To apply, visit http://www.alamo.edu/pac/ literary-journal/. SAC Event: Spring 2016 Flex 2 new student orientation 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. first floor of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Asian Pop Society 2-5 p.m. craft room of Loftin. Email apopofsac@ gmail.com NVC Event: Pre-Health Delegation bonding hike with club members 8-11 a.m. at Friedrich Park. Email vgutierrez118@student.alamo.edu.
sat
mon
PAC BHM Event: Ozuna Library Exhibit, “The Road to the Promised Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement” 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. Call 210-486-3125 or visit https://www. alamo.edu/ pac/blackhistorymonth/.
PAC Event: Our Lady of the Lake University recruiters 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in student center. Call 210-486-3131.
SAC Event: Garden volunteer work day 9 a.m.1 p.m. at Sinkin EcoCentro. Call 210-486-0417.
NLC BHM Event: Literary and cultural showcase 11 a.m.4 p.m. Room 201 of the student commons building. Call 210-485-0200.
SAC Event: “Out in Space, Down to Earth” 22nd annual educator STEM conference 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Scobee. Email cterrones@alamo.edu for more information.
SAC Event: Rosary by the Catholic Student Association 12:15 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center. Email catholicstudentassociationsac@gmail. com.
SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 1:30 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-1433.
sun NVC Event: PreHealth Delegation fundraiser 2-5 p.m. at Painting with a Twist, 11019 Culebra. Email ahall107@ student.alamo. edu.
Illustrations by Estefania B. Alonso
Business sophomore Alex Juardo competes in the pingpong tournament Feb. 16 in Loftin. Juardo won four games to win the tournament and received a T-shirt, headphones and a bag as his prize. Aly Miranda
Shannon Hladik, psychology sophomore, Roberta Castaneda, outreach coordinator for Grace after Fire, and Kristina Kunz, senior kennel technician for Z’s Rescue and Relocation, hold and pet shih tzu-mix Surry and Jack Russell mix Popper during the Military Resource Expo presented by Veteran Affairs and VetSuccess on campus Feb. 17 in Gym 2 of Candler. The event featured more than 50 information tables for organizations including the Wounded Warriors Project and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. Surry and Popper are available for adoption. For more information, call 210248-7834. E. David Guel
!
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.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Feb. 22, 2016 • 3
Parents welcome to join push for college for their children By Hillary E. Ratcliff sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Recall the days of open houses before the school year or after the first few weeks of school. Remember being embarrassed by mom asking too many questions? How dad was hiding his excitement of a new school year during your misery of ending a summer break? Now it is time for one more round of letting the parents enter your school life. This semester a new initiative, endorsed by President Robert Vela, is being introduced to welcome parents into the college process from before high school graduation up through college graduation. The parental network outreach and recruitment department at this college is a program to equip parents with the information needed to help
their future students navigate after high school. The outreach targets students of the San Antonio Independent School District and nearby charter schools. Parental network Coordinator Helen Torres said, “It is about time we get on the map, and the people know what we are doing for parents.” On Feb. 12, the network had its first welcome tour attended by parents, prospective students and local school administrators. Led mainly by Torres for a campus tour, this group was given encouraging information to promote college readiness in their homes and school districts. A walking tour of the campus allowed the group to see areas such as the dental laboratory, Sinkin EcoCentro and other departments with state-
Specialist Nick Silva speaks with Matt and Robert Michaels and Roger Cruz about opportunities here during a tour of the welcome center Feb. 12. Ryann Palacios of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology. Participant Adriana Buentello, who has elementary and middle school children, found the tour wonderful. She is excited to go home and start encouraging her
young children for the future, while being inspired to enroll in classes herself. Torres’ goal for the parental network is to inspire families to make college education a goal for children and parents. Getting students and par-
ents more involved starts early in middle school at the KIPP San Antonio Academy, said KIPP administrator Jaciel Castro. Educators at KIPP are helping young students establish career goals and paths, so they’re never flying blind, exploring possible future outcomes. Then by establishing a career goal, these KIPP students are required to apply to nine colleges as they approach graduation. The nine schools receive rankings of reach, match or safety. A reach college would be applying to a university where the odds are against the student’s academic profile, but there is a chance of acceptance. Match is university admission standards lining up perfectly with a student’s academic profile.
And safety is the backup for a student to still have options upon accepting enrollment. Throughout the whole process of finding a career and applying to college, KIPP is encouraging students to talk to parents and parents to talk to their children. At this college, Torres and her team are ready to accept KIPP students and their families, because the network is meant to promote higher education in the whole family. While there were only several in attendance at the first welcome tour, the next tour is at 8:30 a.m. Friday starting in Room 214 of Fletcher Administration Center. All tours are open to parents of elementary to collegeaged children. For more information and upcoming events, call Torres at 210-486-0947 or email htorres@alamo.edu.
Professor explains death penalty evolution State of Texas plays prominent role in history of executions. By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
Capital punishment can very easily become political and religious in the should-we-or-shouldn’twe debate, Rev. Johnny Silva said Tuesday at the Methodist Student Center before the semester’s first Hot Potato lecture. A crowd of about 20 students listened to criminal justice Professor Marshall Lloyd talk about the evolution of the death penalty in Texas over the last 90 years. Lloyd reviewed various executions around the world including hangings, gas chambers, firing squads, stoning, beheadings and crucifixions. In Texas, the electric chair was first used Feb. 8, 1924, and began Texas’ modern reputation for frequent executions; it was used four times that day, Lloyd said. “It was nicknamed ‘Old Sparky’ like other states had named theirs,” Lloyd said. “Three hundred and sixtyone inmates were executed by the electric chair up until 1964.” The manner in which executions were conducted and the mandates involved in executions were argued in Furman v. Georgia in 1972. William Henry Furman argued the
Criminal justice Professor Marshall Lloyd talks about the history of the death penalty in Texas Feb. 16 at the Methodist Student Center’s Hot Potato lecture. Lloyd explained how previous executions were carried out in public. Ryann Palacios accidental murder, which he committed, didn’t warrant the death penalty and that the death penalty lacked a clear definition in other states. All death penalty sentences were then halted by a Supreme Court decision that the unitary trial in Georgia was cruel and unusual punishment and violated the Eighth Amendment. The death penalty was reinstated after revisions to the laws made the
definition clearer in 1973, he said. After the electric chair, the state switched to lethal injection. Texas and Oklahoma were two of the first states to pass lethal injection legislation, and Texas was the first to use it. In the lethal injection system, two employees behind a one-way mirror await a signal to start the process. “Vials would come down contain-
ing the chemicals; one contained the lethal cocktail and the other was a saline solution,” Lloyd said. The lethal concoction contained three different drugs. A lethal dose of sodium thiopental, an anesthetic agent that renders the prisoner unconscious, pancuronium bromide, a muscle relaxant, and potassium chloride, which stops the heart.
Once an inmate is executed, the family can retrieve the body. If they do not claim the body, then it may be donated to health science centers or buried in Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery in Huntsville. Lloyd also mentioned inmates’ last meal requests, which varied from ice cream to filet mignon. “Some guys had unique choices like a bowl of jalapeños or Whataburger,” Lloyd said. “They eventually stopped catering to the inmates when one of them refused to eat what he asked for.” Lloyd spoke about the cost of the overall procedure and how expensive one execution is. “It’s actually cheaper to keep the inmate in prison than it is to execute him,” Lloyd said. “It costs about $2.3 million for an average execution, whereas it costs about $675,000 to keep them in prison.” In some cases, smaller counties don’t have the budget, so they have to ask the state for appropriations to appeal the process, he said. Lloyd ended the lecture on a lighter note, saying he was glad, “two years ago, this city moved to a no-kill shelter; animals here don’t get euthanized.” The next Hot Potato lecture will be March 1 in the center. For more information, call 210733-1441.
Top two NVC SGA officers transfer, leaving posts empty SGA senator steps up to fill vacancy in student government. By Jerico Magallanes sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Pre-nursing sophomore Jennifer Dominguez has stepped up to her new role as president of Student Government Association at Northwest Vista College in wake of the transferring of former President John Overmeyer and Vice President Juana “Janie” Contreras. Dominguez said it was “surprising because he said that he might be transferring. So originally, he was going to be the president for this semester, but that officially makes me the
president now.” “I’m very prepared and more than confident with the responsibility of this new position,” Dominguez said. “I really have John Overmeyer to thank because I had the opportunity to shadow him and learn better leadership skills.” Overmeyer transferred to Texas A&M-San Antonio, and Contreras transferred to the University of Texas at San Antonio at the beginning of the spring semester. Dominguez, formerly senator of curriculum and instruction, was originally slated to be vice president but when Contreras transferred, Dominguez moved up two positions. Dominguez said they are looking for candi-
dates for vice president and a student trustee. Dominguez endorsed senator of public relations Melissa Ortiz for vice president, saying, “I think she’s the most experienced we have.” Despite Ortiz’s experience, Dominguez said, “I don’t know if she wants that responsibility.” Dominguez said Ortiz enjoys her current duties. “I think she prefers doing that anyway.” Dominguez has been involved with SGA for four semesters, originally applying as student trustee but that was awarded to Sami Adames. Dominguez was then nominated as senator of curriculum and instruction. “I guess I wanted more responsibility,” Dominguez said about her initial involvement
with SGA. NVC’s SGA hosted an Involvement Fair Feb. 3-4 to boost SGA interest. Dominguez participated in the Student District Council meeting where she brought up student issues such as parking and advising. Dominguez has been attending NVC for two years and plans on transferring to the University of Texas Health Science Center in the fall. NVC’s student government meets 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Friday in the conference room of Live Oak Hall. For information, email Dominguez at jdominguez207@student.alamo.edu.
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
67th annual San Antonio
Above: J.B. McLamb competes Sunday on Sugarisalena in the third set of the Mercuria World Series Open Cutting Horse Competition at the Bush’s Beans Horse Show Arena Feb. 14. Alison Graef Right: Beekeeper Richard Trevino holds a bee frame for Hanna Grant, 5, to smell the sweet aroma left by bees Feb. 13. Shannon Grant, son Colton Grant, 3, and Hanna are from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Trevino has been beekeeping on and off since 1972 but been active the last 20 years. Janell Arnold Below: Marc Ortensie, 6, Brody Hambrick, 7, and Anthony Ortensie, 9, start their race down the yellow slide Feb. 13 at the rodeo’s carnival. Aly Miranda
Professional BMX rider Alex Landeros shows off his skill at Robert Castillo’s BMX Fre
Hudson Schneider, 6, from Boerne, assisted by Bryan Griffin of the rodeo’s public affairs committee, lassos his first “cow” Feb. 14 in the Horse Education Center. Alison Graef
Above: Jesse Brown, senior of Lake Dallas High School FFA, is all smiles after placing first in the Open Swine Berkshire Gilt competition Feb. 13. Brandon A. Edwards Right: Hat maker Jim Foster steams a beaver-hide hat to shape and mold Feb. 13 in Hall 1 of the horse arena. Foster works for Sean Ryan, owner of Sean Ryan Western Store and Saddle Shop, which opened in 1883 and sells western clothes and saddles. Ryann Palacios
o Stock Show and Rodeo
Feb. 22, 2016 • 5
Above: Twelve-year-old Samantha Henke, member of Louise FFA, takes a nap on Ruby shortly after showing her during the Open Jersey Show Cow competition Feb. 13. Brandon A. Edwards Left: Sisters Savannah and Carly raise their arms high on the Himalaya spinning ride Feb. 13. Robert Limon
View rodeo videos at theranger.org.
eestyle Team performance Feb. 13 at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Alison Graef
‘Lego’ to the Rodeo Colored bricks demolish the barrier between child and adult.
The showcase normally takes up about 100,000 square feet, but the rodeo could only offer about 15,000 square feet, so the show is slimmed By Wally Perez down to fit. gperez239@student.alamo.edu Throughout the tent, there are sevThe San Antonio Stock Show and eral stations where people can enjoy Rodeo may be known for its bulls, Legos in different ways. cowboys and livestock, but one exhibit Lego sculptures, such as a humanset itself apart from the rest. size creation of Woody from “Toy Story” As people wandered the grounds and a Lego man in a combat suit, join Feb. 13 watching horse competitions creative stations that allow guests to or perusing cowboy hat or boot venconstruct their own creations. dors, the Brick Fest Live tent, which In the middle of the tent there is a housed a variety of Lego exhibits and city called “Brickopolis” that includes hands-on activities, four premade buildwelcomed famiings in the center. It’s great to see the lies and individuals Guests can create big kid come out of to release the inner other buildings, cars parents and adults. child. or anything they can Mark Noel, imagine and add it to Brick Fest Live is Brick Fest Live manager a Lego touring event the city. that showcases interMark Noel, Brick active attractions for all ages. Fest Live manager, said this is the first Brick Fest started about two years time the event has come to the rodeo. ago in Philadelphia when Lego enthuHe has already seen a great turnout in siast and founder Chad Collins wanted the first few days. to attend a Lego showcase with his “It’s always a huge positive to see daughter, but found no such event in families, kids and adults enjoy themhis area. selves and spend time together playing
’’
with something nostalgic like Legos,” Noel said. “It’s great to see the big kid come out of parents and adults.” The event opened Feb. 11, and in just two days, participants had already contributed great additions to both the city and the mosaic wall, he said. People have added cars, and an assortment of airplanes to the city over the last few days; vehicles seem to be popular, he said. The mosaic station allows guests to use 1-by-1-centimeter Lego bricks and add them to a 16-by-16-centimeter plate to create whatever designs they want. Once finished, they’re able to add them to a wall with other creations. “We aim to have parents engage with their children; it’s common for them to play alone at home, whether it be video games or another activity,” Noel said. “Here at Brick Fest parents and their children play; it’s almost as if two kids were playing together.” Education sophomore Amber Renney and son Aiden, 8, were spending quality time together at the station. Aiden was enthusiastically rummaging through Legos in the containers provided at the tables, working on Left: Palani Whiting, who has been an environmental consultant since 2007, is preparing the tree Cora Erskine adopted at the adopta-tree event at the Buckaroos tent Feb. 13. “My mother loves plants; you can say she’s got a green thumb,” Erskine said. Janell Arnold Right: Diego, Elmendorf rides attraction Feb. Wade Shows Alison Graef
3, from the Dinos 14 at the Carnival.
Education sophomore Amber Renney and son Aiden, 8, construct their own Lego designs at the Brick Fest Live tent Feb. 13. Wally Perez what he said was a secret. “He’s Lego-obsessed,” Renney said. “I looked at the rodeo website and saw that this event about Legos was going to be here and he wanted to come here first thing.” Other stations included the Brick Fest Live Derby area where guests built and raced small cars against others down a 20-foot ramp and an area where guests drove remote-controlled Lego tractors around a small, enclosed area. With Valentine’s Day the following day, one station consisted of only red Lego bricks, which guests used to cre-
ate hearts, spell their names or build other designs. Jeffrey Decou, 12, was constructing a model of the Brick Fest mascot, which was a red brick figure. “I have a lot of Legos at home so this area is really cool,” Decou said. Decou, who came to the rodeo with his family from Belmont, hadn’t been since he was much younger. “I really enjoyed the cowboy boot camp right outside and the wildlife area, but I didn’t expect there to be a place with a bunch of Legos; it’s awesome,” Decou said. Visit www.events.brickfestlive.com/.
6 • Feb. 22, 2016
www.theranger.org/editorial
.org
the
ranger
Editorial
Editor Kyle R. Cotton
Managing Editor Mandy Derfler Assistant Managing Editor – Features Wally Perez Staff Writers Tiffany Anne Bermea, R. Eguia, Rebecca Nicole Flores, R.A. Gallardo, Tim Hernandez, Melissa Luna, Jerico Magallanes, Hillary E. Ratcliff, C.J. Tavera, Jeff Tomecsko, Alexis D. Vega Photographers David Guel, Vince Reyna Photo Team Janell Arnold, Brandon A. Edwards, Alison M. Graef, Raffy Gubser, Robert Limon, Aly Miranda, Ryann Palacios, Aaron Rincon, Areana Rodriguez Video Team Jose Arredondo, Alejandro Diaz, Katelynn Alexa Garcia, Jon Hernandez, Ty-Eshia Johnson Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Juan Carlos Campos Alexandra Nelipa Copy Editor Carlos Ferrand Distribution Manager Shelly Delgado
@therangerSAC /readtheranger /therangervideo
©2016 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published 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.
Alexandra Nelipa
Businesses should train in culture Colleges too occupied with remediation of fundamentals to take on a new program. It’s not crazy to assume that college graduates should be able to conduct themselves in a professional environment and understand core values that companies look for in all employees. Business leaders from around San Antonio seem to think that it’s understandable to have a college graduate looking for work not know the fundamental principles of a work environment such as attendance and basic work ethic. Assuming a graduate has been in school for 16-18 years, how is it understandable that during that time they didn’t pick up these principles? During the Alamo Colleges’ 2016 strategic stakeholder retreat, Peter John Holt, vice president of commercial engine sales of Holt Caterpillar, said it is not uncommon for employees to
struggle early on at a new job to understand how it operates. That does seem understandable, as it’s logical for employees to learn things on the job and be provided training by an employer on how things may be done. What doesn’t make much sense is having to teach them that it’s important to go to work every day, to do your job eight hours a day or to work as a team. If students aren’t self-sufficient and don’t know these basic skills, maybe they shouldn’t be looking for a job with much responsibility. The leaders suggested the idea of instructors venturing out to these companies and spending a day learning about the corporate culture, then returning with the information and teaching students how they should carry themselves. Why should college instructors have to do what students should have
learned in their years of being in a regimented environment like school where these principles should be stressed anyway? With the new integrated planning and performance excellence division and their assessments that instructors have to now take care of, they shouldn’t have to be responsible for yet another herculean task. Instructors already struggle with trying to help unprepared students succeed at college-level courses. If employers are truly concerned with students entering the workforce prepared, then they should be the ones that plan, provide and pay for the training for new employees. It shouldn’t be at the expense of the colleges. New hires will learn the corporate culture soon enough and, really, if they haven’t learned core values by the time they graduate college, it’s not likely they will learn.
Available student trustee wanted To represent students, a new trustee has to be accessible. Candidates for the new student trustee and alternate will be submitted to the board of trustees Feb. 29. The students selected are required to attend all committee and board meetings and board retreats, but do not have any voting power and cannot attend executive sessions. Their job is to be the voice of the Alamo Colleges student body, more than 57,800 students, for a year. To represent students, the candidate chosen should be available to hear concerns and comments. But how accessible should they be? Jacob Wong, the first student trustee, went to every Student Government Association meeting at every college. Current student trustee Sami Adames works. She can only be reached through her ACES email or by calling board liaison Sandra Mora and leaving a message. This campus’s SGA says both approaches are appropriate, and who can blame Adames for needing to work? The student trustee receives a pit-
tance of $600 split over two semesters, not even enough to pay for one class. Even worse, the alternate receives nothing and is not allowed to speak unless the student trustee misses a meeting. Which is what alternate Hannah Mahaffey was able to do during January’s board meeting because Adames had class. Adames has been acting student trustee since May and should be well versed in the board’s schedule. So why is she enrolling in classes for Tuesday nights, the time of every committee and board meeting every month? She says she has made arrangements with professors and did attend Tuesday’s committee meeting, but does that now mean she is missing class? That would not be setting a very good example. Could she have taken these classes at a different time or were they only available Tuesday nights? What arrangements did she make with her professors to attend meetings? The problem is Adames will not answer these questions or comment
beyond saying she has handled it. As a public official, this is unacceptable. She needs to be transparent, one of the favorite words floating around district offices. These classes are not even necessary for graduation. She has already finished her degree plan, but to be the student trustee, she must be enrolled in six hours. Not exactly the in-and-out policy Chancellor Bruce Leslie preaches. (That was true of the board’s first selection as well.) Adames’ term is ending soon anyway, but a new student trustee should consider Adames’ and Wong’s actions. Whoever is selected needs to understand the commitment being made. While there are limitations to the job, students are still relying on this person to represent them. Applicants need to do research on student issues. Make the time necessary to hear comments, whether in person, through email or over the phone — and that means making those avenues public information. Speak openly. Take this position seriously.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Feb. 22, 2016 • 7
Protect bank account against catphishers sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Preying on emotion and ignorance is the modus operandi of social media catphishers. Cris Maxson, a Fort Worth woman, was fooled by a false Facebook profile into depositing fake money orders to her bank account and then wired the money overseas. A few days after the transaction was completed, she was arrested for grand theft of $900 and is incarcerated at the Tarrant County Jail awaiting extradition to California to stand trial. According to the report, Maxson was heartbroken to discover that it was all a scam. The story as reported by WFAA8 confirms that Maxson’s suitor had been involved in other scams using the same name. WFAA8 provides a link to a Facebook page named ‘Military Romance Scams’ dedicated to collecting these scams in one place on Facebook. At iacpcybercenter.org, the website for the Law
LANGUAGE from Page 1 expression, race, sexual orientation, citizenship status and domestic violence victim status. It also includes anyone who has voiced concerns about discrimination or filed a discrimination complaint at any level. The committee did not discuss the amendments, but Chancellor Bruce Leslie and District 8 trustee Clint Kingsbery thanked those involved who consulted on the amendments’ wording. However, one sentence in the proposed changes to Policy H.1.1 could be misconstrued. “We are further committed to hire the bestqualified person to fill each available position and reward each employee based on his or her job performance,” the revisions to policy H.1.1. said. The wording could be interpreted as meaning merit pay, or pay based on individual performance rather than the pay scales the district uses that recognize education and number of years of service. After the meeting, James Rindfuss, District 9 trustee and attorney since 1967, said he doesn’t see it as merit pay but did understand how it could be perceived as such. “If the policy mentioned anything about quotas, I could see an issue,” Rindfuss said. “To me, what that means is that when we hire the best qualified person for the job, we are rewarding them by paying them more than we had previously paid for those positions due to their skills.” Rindfuss noted that both Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance, accreditation and information systems, and Diane Snyder, vice chancellor of finance and administration, were awarded higher pay than their predecessors because their qualifications merited higher. “We could be interviewing for a lawyer who says they will work for $120,000, but if there is another lawyer who can do more without consulting outside, who has more skill, who will work for $170,000, we will hire the best qualified person for the job,” Rindfuss said. Rindfuss said he will try to get a clarification put into the redline policy to make sure there isn’t any misunderstanding. “Our policies can’t trump state law,” Rindfuss said. “From what I understand, that would be against state law.” The policies will be voted on at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at Killen Center. Visit www.alamo.edu/district/board/agenda.
Enforcement Cyber Center, catphishing is “Be careful about information you are releasdefined as “exploiting individuals by target- ing, especially through social media, such as ing them through dating websites.” The term Social Security numbers, bank information, “catphish” signifies a person who presents false passwords, location and address, and other information online. Catphishing can be used to personal information. gain money, personal details or even notoriety. “Keep your technology protected by keepThe website includes an ing software updated, especialexample of this form of online ly security software,” she said. To report deception that is in line with the “Unless you really know a persuspicious one used to deceive Maxson: “A son, don’t share information.” activity, call Colorado mother and daughShe described other ways 210-486-0777 or ter pair swindled thousands of the online scammers operemail abuse@ dollars from victims while preate. “They try to ask you for senting themselves as soldiers passwords by pretending they alamo.edu. in Afghanistan needing money. are maintaining system data,” This scam was harder to detect, Venkat said. “This is usually as are situations where victims are lured into a information they should already have.” fake relationship with someone who has preThe scam is intended to gather sensitive sented a false profile to glean information from information that provides access to personal the victim.” data such as individual’s bank, credit card or Usha Venkat, director of informa- even school accounts. “They may offer free softtion technology at this college, said, ware that has malware embed“It’s called social engineering.” ded. When you download it, “Education is important in the malware will scan your combating these sorts of issues.” computer and then transmits Venkat recommends taking steps information to a remote place.” to protect themselves from these The intent of this scam is to attempts at deception. “Educate phish your computer’s memory yourself by using YouTube vid- data for information that could eos and other sources provide access to your personal that inform about phish- accounts or allow them to steal ing scams,” Venkat said. your identity without your knowledge.
!
So why do people fall prey to scams? Professor Thomas E. Billimek, chair of psychology and sociology, said, “Part of that is that the person would have been lonely and looking for a relationship. Whether it’s over the Internet or in person, the progression is going to be similar. We are so used to communicating via Facebook, texting or email that it wouldn’t be so out of the ordinary now to develop a relationship in that context. You meet a person, spend time with that person, you build trust and become comfortable with that person. As the trust increases, you become more susceptible to being taken advantage of.” Venkat provided a final word of advice to students and employees. “Always be suspicious. Don’t trust unknown email sources or links. Ask yourself if this is a legitimate email. Unless you really know the person, don’t share information. ACCD will never ask that sensitive information be shared through email.” Photo Illustration by Vince Reyna
By Tim Hernandez
Two Northwest Vista College degree plans go to board Trustees debate program access. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
The Student Success Committee forwarded two associate of applied science degree programs to the full board for approval in Tuesday’s committee meetings. The approval came after debate between trustees over access problems with programs scattered across the five Alamo Colleges. NVC President Ric Baser said the NVC Business Council, which includes companies such as Nationwide, Wells Fargo, Frost Bank, Petco and Sea World, approached NVC’s administration asking for a customer service program to help fill some of their positions. “We have 300 jobs to fill and we need people now,” Baser said. According to NVC’s industry survey of the council, the expectation is for more than 1,750 new hires over the next three to five years with salaries ranging from $10-15 an hour and some as high as $55,000 annually. Baser said these would be entry-level positions such as answering phones with potential for upward mobility. Students surveyed Oct. 9-Nov. 5 showed
VP from Page 1 Chaye Pena, senior coordinator of student success; and Richard Farias, interim dean of student success. The committee also includes another faculty member and a staff member each from counseling, admissions and records and student development. The new search has to remain open for at least 30 days before the committee can start reviewing applications, Perez said. “Since it’s mid-February, I’m guessing we’ll be reviewing after spring break,” Perez said. There is no definite timeline for when the next candidates will come to campus, she said.
District 8 Trustee Clint Kingsbery and District 9 Trustee James Rindfuss react to a joke told by Chancellor Bruce Leslie at the board meeting Feb. 16. Leslie joked transportation will no longer be an issue when we have vehicles that can fly. Melissa Luna a 78 percent overall interest in the potential program. The pharmaceutical technology degree will be an extension of NVC’s American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists accredited certificate of pharmaceutical technology. Baser said the college must add applied science degrees because of new state credentialing in 2020 as well as requirements for the “Credit for Heroes” grant that awards credit for skills gained by veterans and active-duty military members. The two plans sparked a debate about access to degree programs at the Alamo Colleges.
“It’s been great that we have had consistency with Dr. (Lisa) Alcorta,” Perez said. “There has been no effect on students.” Alcorta has been serving as interim vice president of student success since January 2015. “I think the committee has stepped up their game,” Alcorta said. “They have done a great job of moving forward to ensure we get the perfect candidate.” Perez is hoping for more student involvement for the new search. “I don’t want students thinking they don’t have a voice in this,” she said. “Their opinion matters.” Contact Perez at 210-4860379 or tperez@alamo.edu.
Anna Bustamante, District 3 trustee and board chair, said these programs would be too far away for students in her district. “It’s a long drive out there and some students may give up due to transportation issues and cost.” Chancellor Bruce Leslie said it is policy that only one college will host any program that leads to an applied science degree. District 9 trustee James Rindfuss said this was the trouble with having five separate accreditations. “You can either invite teachers from the respective colleges where the program exists to teach at the other colleges, after showing there is a demand, or once it’s all under one accreditation, teach it at all five colleges,” Rindfuss said. “As long as there is separate accreditation, this will remain an issue.” Bustamante said the district won’t really know if there is demand at one of the other colleges unless the program is offered. “The real solution will be in technology,” Leslie said. “Distance learning will be a better solution for many students … and frankly that’s where the competition is coming from.” The board will vote on the two new degree plans at the full board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Killen Center.
DANCE from Page 1 elderly continue to work because work provides social support and status. Others retire, but maintain productive lives in other venues such as volunteering, more projects around the house, doing more cooking, or spending more time in hobbies,” she said. Dancing also brings many health benefits. Professor Ryan Cabalu, who teaches anatomy and kinesiology for dance at this col-
GRADUATE from Page 1 Students could still be taking their finals, but graduation is the next day.” Students can choose the ceremony they attend. “The ceremony is for students who have SAC as their home school,” Clay said. “Students who go to SAC can attend the ceremony.
lege, said. “Dancing is great overall, especially for seniors. One obvious reason is that you get to work out your cardiovascular system, which increases blood flow throughout the body, and moving also burns calories. With movement in general, I like to think of it as ‘if you don’t move it, you lose it.’ Just by coordinating movements, you also work your brain which helps with longevity and the overall health of the person.”
If you go to Northeast Lakeview or any other institution like Palo Alto College, then you can go to theirs.” Degrees and certificates will be posted on ACES 30 days after the ceremony. Diplomas will be mailed 60 days after the end of the semester. Call Clay at 210-486-0934 or email lclay9@alamo.edu.
8 • Feb. 22, 2016
Pulse
www.theranger.org/pulse
Three cyclists ride along the San Antonio River Feb. 15 under the I-35 bridge on bicycles from the Pearl Brewery station. They and other locals were enjoying the afternoon’s unusual 78-degree weather.
Unlimited access to SA Story and photos by Hillary E. Ratcliff sac-ranger@alamo.edu
How two wheels can eliminate the stress of downtown parking. On this campus, students, faculty and staff who commute by bus or carpool or are dropped off can now travel across campus and into downtown by their own means. One can access bikes for rental through the San Antonio B-Cycle station at this campus outside of Sinkin EcoCentro on North Main Avenue. The San Antonio B-Cycle is in the river district of San Antonio, giving the public access to twowheel commuting throughout this city’s main attractions. The system’s operation is simple.
To use San Antonio B-Cycle, one can locate a station by using an Apple or Android application or visiting www.sanantonio.bcycle.com. From there, choose to ride for 24 hours, seven days or use an annual pass. The three options come at a fee, but B-Cycle does offer discounts. For 24 hours the cost is $10, seven days is $24 and an annual subscription pass is $80. The discount is 20 percent for students, teachers, military and senior citizens. To receive the discount from B-Cycle, email info@sanantoniobikeshare.org or visit the website for more detailed information. After selecting a riding option, take a bike and ride for the allotted time and either return it to the original station or to another San Antonio B-Cycle station. At every location, there is a map with all the B-Cycle stations, specifically on the Mission Trail.
Whitt and Jamie Jones rent bicycles from the Big Tex B-Cycle Station Feb. 15 in the parking lot of Blue Star Art Complex. This B-Station is powered by solar energy just like the station outside Sinkin EcoCentro. For those on the go, the mobile application has the same map, including more features. In the mobile application, a flashing dot represents the rider’s current location. Each B-Cycle will tell how many bikes are available to ride. The docks available are for dropping off a bike after use. Though not on the river, San Antonio B-Cycle came to this campus to connect the college and neighboring stations, J.D. Simpson of San Antonio Bike Share said. The intent is to permanently create a connection to downtown. At this college, there will be about 49 docks to hold bikes by fall 2016. Those docks will be spread over three campus locations. The first location, installed a month and a half ago outside Sinkin EcoCentro, has received activity since the station was installed, said project manager Louis Kreusel. The next B-Cycle station is already underway; the concrete pad has been laid between Gonzales Hall and Candler Physical Education Center. This station installation is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday and features 18 docks to hold bikes convenient to VIA riders. In August, the final campus station is
scheduled to be installed at Tobin Lofts with seven to nine docks. That makes 47 to 49 bikes coming and going from campus for the college community and public to access at any time. Students can easily start their day at this campus and ride down West Josephine Street to the Pearl Brewery station to enjoy local eats. They can also pedal to Blue Star to ride the Mission Trail and later enjoy more of San Antonio’s dining options. John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, agrees the stations will create access to downtown’s attractions, such as the upcoming Fiesta events. The stations will also draw Tobin Hill and other communities to the public events at Scobee Education Center, McCreless Hall and McAllister Fine Arts Center. The B-Cycle stations are an alternative to expensive downtown parking or moving a car from location to location. With these B-Cycle stations, students, staff and faculty now have unrestricted access to the river, downtown, Mission Trail and other destinations. For more information, call 210-281-0101 or visit www.sanantonio.bcycle.com.