The Ranger, April 20, 2015

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ranger Serving San Antonio College since 1926

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Volume 89 Issue 16 • April 20, 2015

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

Nursing students train for childbirth on sim mother

Student loses almost 100 pounds in one year Page 6

Page 10

Low enrollment shrinks activity fund

Current ratio is more than twice the limit.

District projections overestimate enrollment.

cherrera151@student.alamo.edu

as well as five in One adviser the empowerment center and two advisers in Disability Support Services and six advisers in Veterans Affairs.

Counselor Steve Samet said during the April 1 Faculty Senate meeting that the chancellor has ideas that are good and bad.

Samet said the advising model would be a good model if done right, but it is underfunded because of spending money on

350 students

........................................ ........................................ ........................................ ........................................ ........................................

By Cynthia M. Herrera ........................................ ........................................

The adviser to student ratio at ........................................ ........................................ this college is one to approximate........................................ ly 800 students, but the recom........................................ mended ratio from the National ........................................

Academic Advising Association is ........................................ one adviser to every 350 students. ........................................ ........................................

There are 13 ........................................ full-time advis........................................ ers in the coun........................................ seling and ........................................ . ........................................ advising center,

800 students

Adviser to student ratios to improve

Infographic by Mandy Derfler the wrong things. Samet said that money is not being spent on the personnel needed.

By Richard Montemayor

rmontemayor15@student.alamo.edu

The Alamo Colleges might have to increase the student activity fee because low enrollment means the district cannot allocate as much funding for student activities, Richard Farias, this college’s director of student life, said April 2.

However, student leaders must ultimately be the ones to decide this, Farias told the Student Activity Fee Committee at its monthly meeting in Fletcher Administration Center.

The district had originally approved $334,000 for the student activity fee budget at this college for this year, Farias said.

“That budget is always based on a projection

See ACTIVITY, Page 9

See ADVISER, Page 9

Graduation preparation begins Graduates should arrive two hours early; guest seating is first-come, first-serve.

By Karenna Reyna sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Power clean Nursing sophomore Hector Cuellar performs a 115-pound “power clean” as fire science sophomore Carlos Landeros waits his turn during Weight Training 1 and 2 Tuesday in Candler. Landeros began the semester weighing 235 pounds and now weighs 220 pounds. He wants to lose an additional 20 pounds by the end of the semester. Cuellar said he wants to gain about 5 to 8 pounds of muscle. E. David Guel

Majors cause semester-hour loss, chancellor says Palo Alto students raise concerns at Student District Council meeting.

“What’s best for the student is that a student does not have to retake classes when they transfer to a university.”

Leslie stressed retaking courses will cause students to

By Aaron Martinez feel like they are not moving forward with their education amartinez1628@student.alamo.edu and not want to continue to a university. “Our intent has Removing majors from degrees makes the process of never been to hurt anybody,” Leslie said. “Our intent is to going to a university more flexible, Chancellor Bruce Leslie make sure it is not wasted time or wasted effort which is told students at the Student District Council meeting April going to cause students to drop out at some point.”

10 at Killen Center.

Leslie questioned having majors when Leslie and Adelina Silva, vice chanmost U.S. community colleges do not.

Our intent has never cellor for student success, attended the Palo Alto students asked how the been to hurt anybody. meeting, which drew students from Palo major changes would affect students Bruce Leslie, Alto College and Student Government getting hired, and student trustee Jacob chancellor Association officers from this college and Wong assured them employers will hire Northwest Vista College. students without majors on their degrees.

Leslie said students who complete majors at district Wong said local business leaders told him they would colleges could lose up to 24 semester hours at a university. hire students without majors on their degrees.

“We are planning to ensure all of your classes are going Hires are based on experience, Wong said.

See MAJORS, Page 9 to transfer when you have the new degrees,” Silva said.

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As graduation approaches, all Alamo Colleges begin to prepare for this year’s commencement ceremonies. December, spring and summer candidates can participate in the May ceremonies.

All ceremonies but one are at the Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St. Northeast Lakeview College’s graduation will be at 7 p.m.

May 14 at the wellness gym.

St. Philip’s College kicks off graduation month with its ceremony at 7 p.m. May 8. This college’s graduation is 10 a.m. May 9, Palo Alto College’s at 3 p.m. May 16 and Northwest Vista College’s at 7 p.m. May 18.

Tickets are not required for guests of the graduate. Seating is first-come, first-serve, and guests should arrive early. Doors will open one hour before start time.

For this college’s ceremony, graduates should arrive between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., said Joe Jacques, associate director of student services.

See GRADUATION, Page 9

PAC starts petition to oust chancellor

By Katherine Garcia

kgarcia203@student.alamo.edu

The Student Leadership Coalition has started a petition to oust the chancellor, said Gilbert Perez, coalition member and business management sopho-

more at Palo Alto College.

The coalition met with Chancellor Bruce Leslie and student trustee Jacob Wong April 10 in Killen Center to discuss keeping majors.

online now

See PETITION, Page 9

Job fair, employers feature criminal justice careers

14 volunteers walk dogs in park at awareness event

SAConnected

2 • April 20, 2015

www.theranger.org/calendar

Size, scale

Architecture Professor Michael Connor works with architecture sophomore Andrea Poore during a 30-minute freehand drawing session Tuesday on the walkway between Gonzales and Loftin. Students practiced a one-point perspective by holding up a pencil to the subject to measure verticals, horizontals and other visual reference points using a technique called “sighting.” E. David Guel

Working hard Kinesiology sophomore Moussa Faraji times kinesiology sophomore Katy Eldgride as she participates in the fitness challenge at the SAC Health and Wellness Expo. The event was hosted by the department of kinesiology Wednesday in Gyms 1 and 2 of Candler. Cynthia M. Herrera

Getting known

Helping students

Financial aid specialist Yesenia Delarosa and senior adviser Esme Ramirez prepare for students to enter the Mobile Go Financial Aid Center in the mall Thursday. The Mobile Go Center is designed to help students with signing up for financial aid and the FASFA. Jon Hernandez

SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake University 10:30 a.m.1 p.m. first floor of Chance.

Call 210-486-1500.

SAC Film: “Landfill Harmonic” sponsored by the English department 10:50 a.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0689.

PAC Event: Student art exhibition 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with reception 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. in Gallery 100 of Concho Hall.

SPC Event: Culture Fest and rib cookoff 10 a.m.-6 p.m. throughout campus.

Call 210-486-2135.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M University-San Antonio 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on first floor of Chance.

Continues 1-4 p.m. first floor of Moody. Call 210-486-1500.

Alexandra Nelipa

NLC Event: Fiesta medal workshop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in opportunity mall. Call 210486-5404.

SAC Event: Fun Fest 9 a.m.1 p.m. in mall. Call 210-4860125.

SAC Transfer: University of Houston 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on third floor of Oppenheimer. Call 210-486-1500.

SAC Luncheon: Storyteller Carolina Quiroga-Stultz sponsored by the English department 12:30 p.m. in Koehler.

Call 210-486-0689.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University 1-3 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-4861500.

SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon1 p.m. in craft room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0133.

SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 1:30 p.m. in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-486-1436.

Event: Pilgrimage to the Alamo 4-5 p.m. at the Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza. Call 210207-3029.

Event: Sketching in the gallery 6-8 p.m. at San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. $5 with student ID. Call 210978-9100.

SAC Concert: Femina X sponsored by the Fiesta Commission 7 p.m. at Koehler.

Call 210-486-0125.

Event: Rain forest Maze 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston. $10. Call 210-2073250.

Event: Fiesta Flower Show 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Women’s Club of San Antonio, 1717 San Pedro. Call 210-732-4811.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M San Antonio 10 a.m.-1 p.m. first floor of Chance. Continues 1-4 p.m. on first floor of Moody. Call 210-486-1500.

Concert: Fiesta San Fernando music variety line-up noon to midnight San Fernando Cathedral, 115 W. Main Plaza.

Call 210-227-1297.

PAC Event: PACFest noon10 p.m. throughout campus.

Call 210-486-3125.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 4-6 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call 210-4861500.

Event: Why Photograph War? with Donna DeCesare 6:30-7:30 p.m. at McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, in Chiego Lecture Hall. $5 with student ID. Call 210-824-5368.

fri

sat

ACCD: Closed for Battle of Flowers holiday.

SAMA Event: Meditation in the Japanese Garden 10:1511 a.m. in Japanese Gallery. $5 with student ID. Call 210978-9100.

Event: “Regarding Ruscha” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. $5 with student ID. Call 210-824-5368.

Concert: Fiesta World Class Jazz concert 1-10 p.m. St. Mary’s University, 1 Camino Santa Maria. Call 210-4363011.

Concert: Chorale Union performing “Requiem” 7:30 p.m. in Parker Chapel of Trinity University. Call 210-9998212.

Concert: X-Factor Band performance 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Market Square 514 W. Commerce St. Call 210-2078600.

SAC Event: Poetry reading

by Laurie Ann Guerrero 7 p.m. at Koehler. Call 210-4860125.

SAC Concert: Jazz ensemble 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-4860255.

Event: King William’s Fiesta Fair 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1032 S. Alamo. $10. Call 210-2713247.

Event: Fiesta parade 8-11 p.m.

Flambeau

Event: 22nd Annual Lung Force 5k Run/Walk 8-10:30 a.m. at Sea World, 10500 Sea World Dr. Call 210-523-3600.

Event: United Way Kids Festival 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Lockwood Park. 800 N. Olive.

sun

Event: Brick marketplace shopping noon at Blue Star Arts Complex, 108 Blue Star.

Call 210-262-8253.

Event: Build An App in “A” Half An Hour 3 p.m. at the Microsoft Store, 15900 La Cantera Parkway. Call 210507-6650.

Event: All Veterans Memorial Service 1-2 p.m. Veterans Square, Auditorium Circle, Jefferson St. at E. Martin. Call 210-887-7582.

Event: San Jose Mission Fest 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose. $5.

Call 210-932-1001.

mon

SAC Event: Blood drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in mall with appointment scheduled in advanced. Call 210-731-5555

pa

Event: “Faces of Survival” art exhibit 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chavez. Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210458-2300.

SAC Transfer: University of the Incarnate Word 9 a.m.-noon on first floor of Chance. Call 210-486-1500.

thur

dra Ne li

SAC Event: This is the final spring print issue of The Ranger, continue to check theranger.org for daily updates.

wed

SAC Concert: Choir 7:30 p.m. in auditorium of McAllister.

Call 210-486-0255.

Alexan

today tues

Interdisciplinary studies sophomore Monique Delgado receives a chili dog from engineering sophomore Broderick Camel Tuesday in the mall.

The Mexican American Engineers and Scientists club members sold chili dogs for $2 to help fund this college’s chapter. E. David Guel

Event: Fiesta Square and Round Dance 7-10 p.m.

Tri-Point 3233 N. St. Mary’s.

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For coverage in SAConnected, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

Visit theranger.org for more upcoming events.

News

Microsoft Office 365 available for free Microsoft contract grants free downloads on up to five devices.

By R. Eguia

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Microsoft Office 365 is available to download on up to five devices free of charge for all students, staff and faculty, said Dr. Tom Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems.

Students can download the suite at http://products. office.com/en-us/student/ office-in-education by clicking on the green “find out if you are eligible” button and entering their Alamo Colleges student email address.

The link to download the

products will be sent to the student’s email account.

Office 365 has been available for free since the beginning of the semester with the Microsoft district contract, Cleary said.

Office 365 is composed of the latest versions of: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and Lync.

The Office 365 website explains that the download is cloud-based software, so it’s not licensed directly to a computer.

It is designed to run locally, so an Internet connection is not necessary.

“This is such a huge thing for our staff and students,” said Usha Venkat, this college’s director of information technology.

“A lot of people did not have access to Microsoft Office because they had to buy it, but now it’s just available to them and they get storage.”

Cleary said the district spends $196,000 a year on the contract, which saves students hundreds of dollars.

A regular Office 365 subscription costs $99 a year, or $9.99 per month, according to the Microsoft 365 website.

Students can call for help from the support desk at 210486-0777 or email sachelpdesk@alamo.edu.

April 20, 2015 • 3

Spring/Start 2/Flex 2

MAY

www.theranger.org/news

Software comes with 1 TB storage

The download also includes 1 TB of personal cloud storage that can be accessed from anywhere.

PC Ninja published a data chart that illustrates how 1 TB (terabyte) is equal to 1,000 GB (gigabytes), 1 million MB (megabytes) or 1 billion KB (kilobytes).

One TB of storage can hold 17,000 hours of music; or 1,000 hours (40 days) of video; or 310,000 photos; or 500 hours of movies.

Read more about storage capabilities at: www.pcninja.us/howmuch-can-a-1-tb-external-harddrive-hold.

2015 Final Exam Schedule 11

By Matthew Reyna sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The office of student life will host a joint summer orientation session for first-time college students at 7:30 a.m. May 2 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

The deadline for registration in OrgSync is April 26.

Space is limited for the event, so the office encourages students to sign up as soon as possible.

Fall orientation begins May 5, with several sessions through the summer.

Fall Start II orientation begins Aug. 18, and Fall Flex II Sept. 15.

The deadline to register for all orientation sessions is six days prior.

Orientation is mandatory for all firsttime college students and must be completed to register for classes.

Fifteen students attended the initial summer orientation session April 7.

Students had to RSVP by April 14 on the

Students need to know what is expected of them, Bigelow said. office of student life’s OrgSync page at www.

Topics will include “Preparing for Your orgsync.com/25432/ Academic Journey” and chapter for a session at “Beyond the Classroom: It’s important for 7:30 a.m. April 21 in the Student Engagement.” students to get that Fiesta Room of Loftin.

The event will offer a first welcome, know

By Monday, 13 protour of the campus and that they’re important spective summer stugroup advising. to the school. dents had already Students are required Mark Bigelow, to stay for the entire sevreserved a spot on the student success event’s OrgSync page. en-hour event. coordinator “It’s important for stuBefore students dents to get that first welattend orientation, they come, know that they’re important to the must complete their ApplyTexas applicaschool,” student success Coordinator Mark tion, submit transcripts, present proof of a Bigelow said. bacterial meningitis vaccination and complete the Alamo Enroll modules.

If applicable, some students will have to For registration, complete testing requirements and receive log on to Orgsync. post-assessment advising before attending For more information, an orientation session. call Mark Bigelow The orientation has a cap of 72 people, in student life and Bigelow said he hopes to see 20, 30 or at 210-486-0125. more future students.

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7-:930 a.m.

MW 9:25 a.m.

MWF 10 a.m.

10-12:30 p.m.

MW noon/12:15 p.m.

noon-2:30 p.m.

MW/MWF 1 p.m.

1-3:30 p.m.

MW 3:05 p.m./3:50 p.m. 3:50-6:20 p.m.

12

13

Campus preps for summer, fall orientation All first-time college students are required to attend session.

MW 6:30 a.m.

MWF 7 a.m.

14

15

TR 8 a.m.

8-10:30 a.m.

TR 10:50 a.m.

10:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m.

TR 1 p.m./1:40 p.m.

1:40-4:10 p.m.

MW/MWF 8 a.m.

8-10:30 a.m.

MW 10:50 a.m.

MWF 11 a.m.

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

MW 1:40 p.m./2 p.m.

MWF 2 p.m.

MW 2:25 p.m.

2-4:30 p.m.

TR 6:30 a.m.

TR 9:25 a.m.

TR 12:15 p.m.

TR 3:05 p.m.

6:30-9 a.m.

9:25-11:55 a.m.

12:15-2:45 p.m.

3:05-5:35 p.m.

MWF 9 a.m.

MWF noon

9-11:30 a.m. noon-2:30 p.m

2:25-4:55 p.m.

Evening and weekend class finals are during class times.

Maymester finals are June 4; exam times given by instructor.

Summer 1 five-week are July 8 and 9 Summer 1 eight-week are July 29 and 30 Summer 2 five-week are Aug. 12 and 13 Department chairs may schedule final exams not reflecting this schedule.

Infographic by Pam Paz

State SGA passes five resolutions Open carry bill and Dream Act are among passed resolutions.

By Aaron Martinez

amartinez1628@student.alamo.edu

Five resolutions on issues affecting college students were passed in Dallas April 7-10 at the Texas Junior College Student Government Association conference, which six members of this college’s SGA attended.

The association will submit the resolutions to the Texas Legislature, SGA members said in a meeting Monday.

This college’s SGA recommended two of the five resolutions, support for the Texas Dream Act and opposition to the Texas Campus Carry bill.

Other resolutions supported mental health support awareness, sexual assault awareness and the Texas Common Course Numbering System.

The Resolutions Committee for the state organization includes Chris Lopez, commissioner of student affairs, and Kim-Briana Lorine, parliamentary officer.

In 2001, Gov. Rick Perry signed the

Texas Dream Act, allowing undocumented students who have lived in Texas for three years or have received a GED, to receive in-state college tuition.

Members of student government organizations around the state agreed their goal is to promote fair and equal treatment for students.

“We want to give them an opportunity to be supported by the state,” SGA President Karen Elliot said.

“We’ve invested in them and we want them to invest back into the community.”

The Resolutions Committee wanted to support mental health awareness because members believe “there is a lack of mental health support for college students,” according to the resolution.

The committee predicted the demand for mental health services will grow, and the lack of adequate mental health support will result in students earning lower grade-point averages, being unemployed and dropping out.

The resolution recommends colleges have a Mental Health Awareness Day Oct. 10.

With sexual assault on college

campuses getting attention because “Our resolution that we brought of federal Title 9 rules, the Resolution was to allow the campus and univerCommittee decided to promote the sity to make the decision to whether awareness of sexual assault to protect or not they wanted to allow it or not,” students.

Elliot said.

Title 9 requires colleges and uniThe Resolution Committee supversities to respond to sexual assault ported the Texas Common Course and harassment cases and have poli- Numbering System, so students have cies in place to prevent sexual assault smoother transition when transferand harassment. ring courses to a university.

The resolution also recommends The Texas Common Course that colleges hold an event each Numbering System is a single course school year to numbering syspromote awaretem, which helps We’ve invested in ness of sexual the transfer of them (dreamers) and assault. courses among we want them to Another issue public colleges. invest back into the was allowing guns In other news, community. to be carried on Heather Cura and Karen Elliot, Yescenia Flores college campuses SGA president by holders of confrom the office of cealed handgun technology serlicenses. vices held a focus group with the Texas Penal Code 46.04 prohibits attendees of the SGA meeting to weapons from being carried on the determine ways to improve services premises of any Texas school or edu- for students. cational institution unless there is Cura asked the attendees to name written authorization from the insti- roadblocks to being a successful stutution. dent.

Senate Bill 11 would allow conStudents were concerned about cealed handgun license holders to raising awareness that all students carry weapons on college campuses. do not have smartphones, which are

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required for some classes and assignments.

They also said delays in updating grades, inadequate Wi-Fi services and a lack of computers for checkout were problems.

Lopez said he has teachers who use Canvas course management system, but do not keep grades current and he has teachers who do not use Canvas.

The district does not require all teachers to use Canvas because training for Canvas is not required for all.

The Luminus platform in ACES is the primary place for teachers to put their files and grades if not using Canvas, Cura said.

The concern of students losing Wi-Fi when going from one building to another was discussed, and the problem will be discussed in upcoming meetings, Cura said.

The next Student Government Association meeting is from noon-1 p.m. April 20 in the craft room of Loftin.

SGA meets the first three Mondays of every month.

For more information, call 210486-0133.

News

4 • April 20, 2015

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Alamo ADVISE adds 35,000 students, cohort District hopes to hire 47 additional advisers, chancellor says.

By Kathrine Garcia kgarcia203@alamo.edu

An updated report on the Alamo ADVISE counseling model introduced new cohorts during the Student Success Committee Tuesday in Killen Center.

Adelina Silva, vice chancellor for student success, made the presentation.

Across the district, 156 faculty members finished level one training, 105 finished level two training, 79 finished level three training. Eight finished level one in the ability to train other advisers.

Silva said the adviser ratio goal is1-to-350. The current is 1-to-800.

The new program, which started with a cohort of 17,503 students in Fall 2014, included first-time-incollege students, disability student services, veterans and international students.

The second cohort of spring 2015 added 34,800 students.

Eventually, all of the Alamo Colleges students will receive this advising model, which also includes

Jacob Wong, student trustee and psychology sophomore, and Chancellor Bruce Leslie discuss the advising program at St. Philip’s College Tuesday at the Student Success

Committee in Killen Center. Wong and Leslie discussed the pros and cons of assigning students to advisers and how well the program worked at SPC. Jon Hernandez

the addition of a faculty counselor.

Chancellor Bruce Leslie said he hopes to add 47 additional advisers across the district to meet the goal of one adviser to 350 students.

“This prevents students from piling on an adviser,” student trustee Jacob Wong said of the additional advisers.

Silva said the cohorts of students will be handled as a caseload, and students have to meet with their counselors when they register and

tion requirements per semester.

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete was concerned because the holds would discourage a student from continuing the registration process.

Silva said for now, it’s up to the counselors to figure out how many holds would be discouraging.

She said she plans to find out the answers to the survey question asking incoming students what their intentions are when they register.

The question is part of a survey

when they’ve completed 15, 30 and 60 hours.

Advisers must know information on their students such as GPA, how many hours they’ve taken and if they’re on financial aid, Silva said.

Students will be emailed if they are not passing or if they have to meet with their advisers after completing a certain number of contact hours.

Holds will be put on their account if they do not meet certain registra-

incoming students must answer when they apply to the Alamo Colleges through applytexas.org.

District 5 trustee Roberto Zarate suggested giving students incentives if they meet certain goals, such as completing the 15, 30 and 60 contact hours.

Silva said the goal is for the student to know the adviser and what is expected of them.

The next regular board meeting is at 6 p.m. April 28 at Killen Center.

Summer enrollment down Welcome center set to open May 21.

By Richard Montemayor

rmontemayor15@student.alamo.edu

Staff Sgt. Jenny Krause and Capt. Andrew Kennedy of Fort Sam Houston dissect a pig November 2010 for Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 in the BioSpot lab in Room 305 of Chance. File

Hands-on tutoring at BioSpot Faculty schedule part of office hours to work with students at lab.

ural science courses such as physical geology and microbiology.

It also serves as an area for student networking.

By Priscilla Galarza “I would say the lab is improving sac-ranger@alamo.edu the students’ performance because For students having trouble underthese students are spending extra time standing their natural science courses, studying and getting tutoring and that is help is available. always a positive,” Sheppard said.

Students can get free science tutorBooks, lab manuals, models of body ing at the BioSpot in Room 350 of systems, microscopes, and educational Chance Academic Center.

DVDs are available for checkout with a The BioSpot began valid Alamo Colleges ID. BioSpot Lab hours in the late 1990s when Students also are the department wanted allowed to book a conare 8 a.m.-8 p.m. to create an environference room for group Monday through ment for students to be meetings.

Wednesday and able to collaborate, netThe BioSpot has a 11 a.m.-8 p.m. work, study and receive computer lab that stuThursday tutoring. dents can use for any In 2006, the biology course work. department revitalized the area thanks Exam make-ups can be scheduled if to an Achieving the Dream grant and a student misses an exam. renamed it the BioSpot.

Some faculty members of the natural This semester, the BioSpot has had sciences department schedule some of 2,200 visits. their office hours in the facility to offer The multipurpose center that began assistance on their subjects. as a study area has evolved into a Students should call ahead before tutoring lab, biology Professor Shelly visiting the lab because student tutors Sheppard said. and faculty members occasionally step “It’s a resource area for students,” out, Sheppard said. she said.

For more information, call 210-486The BioSpot offers tutoring for nat0860.

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A concern over degree audits, which determine if students are eligible to graduate, needs to be cleared, Martin Ortega, director of admissions, told College Council Tuesday.

“I met specifically with (psychology Chair Thomas E.) Billimek, regarding some of the issues and concerns that he had with regards to the information that he was Director of Admissions J. Martin Ortega reports to the executive board during receiving,” Ortega said. the College Council meeting Tuesday in visual arts. Ortega reported the college At last month’s College Council graduation date is set for May 9, and just under 900 students have picked up meeting Billimek expressed con- cap and gowns. He expects that number to grow to about 1,000 students or cern over degree audits, which more. Jack Jackson determine if students are eligible to graduate. the schedule of registration sign- procession will start promptly at He said it didn’t make sense for ups and deadlines.

9:30 a.m., because with the numstudents who are graduating to President Robert Vela said durber of students that we have, it apply both online and on a paper ing Tuesday’s buildings, grounds does take us a good 30 to 45 minform. and sites commitutes to process a thousand-plus Summer He asked if tee of the board of students, which we will be at by there is a simpler trustees that the the time that day comes.” registration is at way when stuwelcome center is This college has 900 students 5,759 students, dents are applying set to open May who have picked up their caps compared to last online that could 21. and gowns. year with 9,760 identify their “There are “We are sending out another students major and send some minor notice to students who did fill out that information things that we are an application for graduation to to the appropriate department. doing in there to make sure that remind them that they can still Ortega said that summer regwe are loading the new technolpick up their cap and gown,” istration at this college was down. ogy,” Vela said. Vela said the tech Ortega said.

Currently, summer registration is store is part of phase 2.

However students who did not at 5,759 students, compared to “Even though it is ready to pick up their cap and gown before last year with 9,760 students. go, we are still having to make the deadline of April 10 will not Fall registration is now open at adjustments and waiting for have their names appear in the this college for current students final approval from Apple Inc. to graduation program, Ortega said. who have completed more than ensure that we can become an “Enrollment services is sched46 hours.

Apple authorized store,” Vela said. uled to have a meeting on April 15 So far, 773 students have regisOrtega let the council know with the office of technology servictered for fall classes, Ortega said. that the commencement ceres to work on enhancing informaHe said this college is going to emony for this year’s graduates is tion that department chairs receive recommend that the Admissions set for 10 a.m. May 9 at Freeman for students who have applied for and Records Subcommittee develColiseum, 3201 E. Houston St. graduation,” Ortega said. op frequently-asked questions for “The ceremony will start at 10 Katherine Garcia contributed registration and time ticketing, or a.m.,” Ortega said. “However the to this story.

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Premiere

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April 20, 2015 • 5

Dance program growing and wants majors Distinguished graduate in dance will cross the stage May 9.

By Melissa Luna

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The little-known dance program at this college is the largest dance program in Alamo Colleges, dance Coordinator George Ann Simpson said.

You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the number of students enrolled to complete an associate degree in dance. The dance program had two graduates in 2013-14, the first year the college offered an associate of arts in dance.

In May, four will cross the stage at commencement, which will bring the dance program graduate total to six.

When the program established its own degree plan in 2012-13, it also transitioned from the kinesiology department to fine arts.

Before that, this college offered a kinesiology/dance associate degree, which meant students who wanted to complete an associ-

ate degree in dance had to do so under the kinesiology umbrella. Simpson’s office still sits among the other kinesiology professors’ offices in Candler Physical Education Center.

“We are such a little-known program as it is.

Then I think the move from one department to the other didn’t help,” Simpson said.

She was unsure of reasons the program was moved to fine arts other than the college administration thought it was a better fit.

However, there is no room for a dance program in McAllister Fine Arts Center. Because the one room on this campus outfitted for dance instruction is Room 113 in Candler, the dance program remains housed with kinesiology.

Simpson remains hopeful about recruiting students for the program. “We offer so many dance classes, such a variety, and students are loving it,” she said.

The program offers 12 dance courses, such as DANC 1133, Country and Western 1, and DANC 1153, Spanish Ballet 1.

Some courses also offer a Level 2 and 3;

sometimes all levels are taught in one section.

DANC 2152, Dance Appreciation 4, is the only Level 4 class in the program and is taught in the same section with the other levels.

Among the four graduates, dance sophomore Michelle Badillo will be crossing the stage as the program’s Distinguished Graduate.

After graduating from Tom C. Clark High School in 2005, she took core curriculum courses at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she attended until 2007. She entered this college in 2008.

“My mother is Japanese, so she expected me to do something productive with my time. She gave me choices and I chose dance,” Badillo said. “You go to school to learn something, not just get a job.”

Badillo has been dancing for more than 20 years and teaches at the Performing Arts School of Classical Ballet, 8055 West Ave., with the teachers who taught her.

“Dance helps with your mental state,” Badillo said. “It’s exciting being able to teach where I started.”

Badillo is vice president of the Dance Club at this college. This semester was their first official semester as a student organization, and members are hoping to gain more exposure for the club and the program.

They will sell Fiesta medals at Funfest Wednesday while promoting the club and raising money for worko s lon shops. .A B nia The Dance Club is preparing efa Est for its annual dance performance at 7:30 p.m. May 8 in McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Admission is $5 with funds raised for department scholarships.

“I want more exposure. I want students to come in see and the fun stuff we have to offer,” Simpson said.

For more information, contact Simpson at 210-486-1021 or stop by Room 131 in Candler.

Campus hosts final movie nights of semester next month The series has been a tradition for decades.

By Matthew Reyna sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The office of student life wraps up its spring movie series with “Mortdecai” May 1 and “Paddington” May 15. Student life has a long tradition of hosting movie nights, so long staffers cannot remember exactly when it started.

“Way before I got here,” said student life coordinator Jacob-Aidan Martinez. “Carrie, how long have we been hosting movie nights?”

The question stumped his office mate, too.

“Oh, wow! We have been doing it for years,” called back student success specialist Carrie Hernandez.

“I can’t remember exactly when it started.”

Hernandez said the series dates to at least 1996. “It used to be called the film series. We even did the ‘Selena’ movie,” Hernandez said. “We did ‘G.I. Jane’ way back when and the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (in 1996).”

The movies, shown at 7:30 p.m. in the mall, are free to this college’s students and open to the public for $1 general admission. Popcorn, sodas and candy are $1 each.

The movies this semester were “Big Hero 6,” “I Am Ali,” “The Hunger

Jacob-Aidan Martinez, student life coordinator, shows movie posters spanning three decades Wednesday in Loftin.

Tress-Marie Landa Games: Mockingjay, Part I,” “Into the Woods” and “Strange Magic.”

The campus activities board selects the titles. “We try to pick a premiere movie, a movie that is out

of theaters, but hasn’t hit DVD yet,” Martinez said. “Premiere movies attract a larger audience.”

The college pays for the rights to show the films through the Swank Film Agency.

“We also try to pick animated movies for non-traditional students with kids,” Martinez said. “If you can’t afford the movie theater, you can watch the movies here for free.”

Martinez said the turnout depends on how well they market the event and what the weather is like.

“Fifty is the lowest turnout we have had, and 500 is the highest,” Martinez said. “‘Frozen’” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” had the highest turnout.”

“We expected a huge turnout for The Hunger Games, but nobody came because it rained,” Martinez said.

Hernandez and Martinez differed on their favorite movies.

“Monsters University,” Hernandez said. “That was a cute movie, and we had a huge turnout.”

“I like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’” Martinez said. It was a great way to finish off the festivities of SACtacular.”

The fall SACtacular celebrates all things related to this college.

The board will plan the next series at the beginning of fall 2015.

For more information on the series and upcoming movies, contact Martinez at 210-486-0126.

Pul

6 • www.theranger.org/premiere

Student loses almost 100 pounds in one year

Schedule

A sedentary sophomore now enters CrossFit competitions.

Working out can improve classwork, expert says.

By Sabrina Griffith

By Eddie Chozet

The choice to participate in CrossFit, an intense boot camp-style team sport, has changed one student’s life.

Communications sophomore Ryan Truss, 21, has gone to Mission CrossFit, 8842 Broadway, at 5 a.m. every day since February 2014.

Since he started working out, he has lost nearly 100 pounds.

“I used to weigh 330 pounds; now I weigh 232,” Truss said in an interview March 30.

Not only does Truss go to CrossFit religiously, he sticks to a paleo diet.

Truss explained the paleo diet includes meats, vegetables, fruits and fish but no bread or dairy.

He drinks only water, which adds up to about a gallon a day.

He has a “cheat day” once a week in which he chooses to eat either chocolate or pizza.

The paleo diet forced him to give up his favorite restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A and Whataburger, but Truss tells himself his health is more important.

Improving his health has changed his lifestyle, and “lifestyle” is the way Drew Bignal, owner of Mission CrossFit and head coach, describes the workout program.

Truss finished his second CrossFit competition March 29 and was chosen Athlete of the Month in March at his CrossFit location for his determination and effort, Bignal said.

His outgoing personality and drive to exceed the efforts of the average person in a gym are impressive, he said.

Truss also runs and participates in 5K and 10K runs and Spartan races, obstacle races that vary in distance and difficulty.

Truss explained what led him to begin the journey of improving himself inside and out.

“I looked at myself in the mirror

Successful students make it a habit to exercise their bodies as well as their brains, said Chris Dillon, Alamo Colleges district wellness coordinator.

“I always tell people exercising is What most like brushing your don’t unde teeth; you’ve got about want to do it every day. lose weigh People have time it is a lifest for social media. change for Instead of spendC ing all that time on Dist Facebook, use that time to go walk.”

Making time for exercising can actually help get you an A in class, Dillon said.

“Research shows that fitness improves the quality of life,” Dillon said. “It gets your grades up and can pay the bills (by energizing students for their jobs). It’s a natural medicine, and exercising is always free.”

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercising 30 minutes most days of the week — “whether that’s cardio, whether that’s swimming or just walking

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Communications sophomore Ryan Truss works out at 5 a.m. April 6 at Mission CrossFit. Truss said the CrossFit community inspires him to stay in shape. Neven Jones more self-confidence.

He told himself it would get better.

“I did absolutely no (physical) “Now I can deadlift 435 pounds, I activities in high school,” he said, “I can do box jumps, (and) I can do burwas like a garbage disposal … I just pees like it’s nothing,” he said. ate, ate, ate, ate, ate.”

Bignal said Truss has come a long However, he was homecoming way and is at a point where he can king for four years and prom king his challenge himself. senior year at St. Anthony Catholic The CrossFit coaches are helpful High School. He managed multiple and supportive, Truss said. sports teams and served on commitIn contrast, others did not believe tees for social functions. he could do it. Even his parents told “He was very him CrossFit was too popular,” said Jacob expensive.

View Fernandez, kinesiology “If I’m paying $120 (a the video at sophomore and Truss’ month), I’m going every theranger.org. day; I don’t rest,” he said. friend of seven years, “He always tried to Truss said he often get involved in a lot of thought, “Is it worth it?” things.”

He goes to bed by 8 p.m. and no When Truss worked at Chick-Fil-A longer stays up late for concerts, such 2012-2014, he gained 75 pounds on as seeing live performances of Miley his 6-foot-1 frame.

Cyrus, George Strait and Lorde.

After a few months of participatWhen he goes out to lunch, Truss ing in CrossFit, he got a new job at has to pick the restaurant to ensure San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter as a he’s eating paleo foods. bellhop.

But his parents now support him The first day Truss started CrossFit, as well as the handful of friends who he recalled that he couldn’t perform have stuck around his rigorous and any exercises and vomited. health-conscious lifestyle.

Truss before CrossFit at 330 pounds Courtesy and I was like holy moly,” he said, “I wanted to look good for once.”

Truss said he feels great and has

’’

Blind former student coaches CrossFit Beep baseball helps kinesiology graduate keep competitive spirit.

“When I first went blind, I had to understand everything would be different, but I could do anything,” he said.

By Alyssa Zapata He began losing his sight at age 14 after being sac-ranger@alamo.edu diagnosed with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, Obstacles are something December graduate LHON. Zachry Arambula faces everyday in and out of the He was introduced to beep baseball the summer gym. he lost his vision and has played for the past five Arambula, 21, who majored in kinesiology, has years. He plays for the Austin Blackhawks in the only peripheral vision.

National Beep Baseball Association, and the season He is a coach at CrossFit, 1130 E. Houston St., continues through July. and participates in CrossFit competitions and beep Last year Arambula and the Blackhawks won the baseball in competitions around the nation. championship among 35 teams in the league.

Beep baseball uses a specially designed baseball There are six players on the field for defense and that beeps and bases that buzz the positions are first baseman, while all players are required to When I first went blind, right fielder, middle, left fielder, wear a blindfold because some third base, and back fielder.

I had to understand still have partial vision.

Arambula plays right fielder. everything would be Beep baseball lasts six innings “When I lost my vision, I different, but I could with three outs per inning and wasn’t playing any sports, and I do anything. there is no second base. was lacking the competitiveness Zachry Arambula, of sports, and baseball filled that First and third bases are CrossFit coach placed 100 feet down their lines space for me,” he said. and 10 feet from the foul line.

Arambula continues to train After the batter gets a hit, one of the bases buzzes and compete in beep baseball and hopes to play at through a speaker, but the player does not know the championship again on Aug. 1 in Rochester, N.Y. which base will be set off.

Coaching was another way to enter into the The game is more challenging on the body competitiveness, he said. because players can’t see and they have to be diving Arambula decided to coach after he interned in and listening closely for the either the buzz of the high school at a CrossFit. base or the ball, Arambula said.

CrossFit is defined as constantly varied function-

’’

al movement performed at relatively high intensity, according to the CrossFit website. It consists of lifting weights and cardio.

The excitement of getting athletes to their full potential interests him the most, he said.

Since Arambula is able to see only with his peripheral vision, he has difficulty coaching athletes from across the gym.

He has made himself familiar with the gym so that he is able to walk to each athlete to assist them.

Coaching at CrossFit has allowed him to make friends with people with similar fitness interest and relieve stress.

By coaching he was introduced to competing in CrossFit through his coaches.

Last month Arambula competed in an open competition because every week is with a different type of workout each week.

CrossFit participants around the country can enter to compete in the top 20 in their region and advance to compete in the CrossFit games, he said.

Regionals will be May 15-31 in Dallas for Texas competitors.

“The workouts are intense. For example, one workout was nine minutes of as many rounds you can do,” he said. An example of a round consisted of 15 toes to bar, 10 dead lifts and five snaps.

Through baseball, coaching and competing, Arambula has learned to live his life independently.

“Be your own person and don’t let other people dictate what you do,” he said.

Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, wedges and continued to march with them in

Members of the Non-Traditional Student Clu students marched together to raise awarene

lse

April 20, 2015 • 7

e fitness

your dog,” he said.

Business sophomore Miranda Rodriguez, who works as a part-time fitness trainer, said staying fit is a big commitment.

“What most people don’t understand about wanting to lose weight, is that it is a lifestyle, a change for the better,” she said. “I’m determined to exceed my own goals and push myself to t people the absolute limit.” erstand Loftin Student ting to Center has a fitness ht, is that center for students tyle, a open from 8 a.m. to r the better. 6:30 p.m. MondayChris Dillon, Thursday and 8 a.m. trict Wellness to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Coordinator The kinesiology department’s conditioning room is open 3-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Gymnasium 2 is open 2-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 3-4:15 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday; and the swimming pool is open 1-3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Tennis courts are open all day.

Another option is intramural sports on campus.

Students also can register for a kinesiology course or pursue student discounts at local gyms.

The YMCA and Gold’s Gym offer a 10 percent student discount, Dillon said.

For more information,visit www.alamo.edu/ sac/kinesiology/.

and featured 15 obstacles, live music, free food and drinks. Jon Hernandez

Geronimo!

Above: Border Patrol agent Sean Travers jumps into a shallow pool of muddy water. Travers has participated in other races before, but this was his first time running in the Muddy Mayhem. Jon Hernandez

Let’s go Left: First-time runners Garret Busack and Patricia Flores run together

File

’’

Lean on me Group “#WerDirty” run hand-in-hand through muddy water during the fifth annual Muddy Mayhem Saturday at Cacias Road. The 5-mile run was at a local farm

busts out of his wedges during Walk a Mile In Her Shoes in the mall. Krueger grabbed his n hand on the way to the empowerment center. Jon Hernandez

ub lead Walk A Mile In Her Shoes from Loftin to the empowerment center. Employees and ess of rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Jon Hernandez

in the third grouping of the day. Jon Hernandez

Walkers strut in heels to protest sexual assault President challenges other institutions to sponsor marches next year.

By Tyrin Bradley

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Male military personnel, police officers, college administrators and students swapped out sneakers, boots and dress shoes for heels and wedges during this college’s first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes International Men’s March April 9 in the mall.

This college’s empowerment center and the Rape Crisis Center hosted the march to raise awareness about sexual assault, rape and gender violence.

The march, which also included some female walkers, began at 11:15 a.m. with more spectators than participants.

However, by the time the procession reached the corner of Howard Street and Main Avenue, the number of participants had more than tripled as the sound of wedges, pumps, stilettos and open-toed heels gave rhythm to the blaring of megaphones and chants.

Chants of “no means no” and “SAC won’t talk about it; we’ll be about it” filled the air as signs reading “one in five is too many” and “there is no room for sexual assault” bobbed above the marchers.

There were a few broken heels along the way.

Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, broke one of his heels halfway through the march.

“Next time, I need stronger heels,” he said.

President Robert Vela picks out a change of shoes with the aid of Gracie Savage, administrative assistant in student services.

Vela wore brown wedges to lead the march.

Jon Hernandez Richard Farias, director of student life, and kinesiology Chair Brad Dudney march in heels from Loftin to the Empowerment Center to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault. Jon Hernandez “More power to the ladies that wear them,” said Chief of Police Don Adams, who marched in a pair of black wedge heels.

In Texas, one in five women has been sexually assaulted in her lifetime, according to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault.

The San Antonio area, with 39.1 rapes per 100,000 people in 2013, surpassed the national average of 25.2, according to the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report.

When the marchers reached the Rape Crisis Center at 703 Howard St., they stopped for refreshments, shade

and the opportunity to take off their heels.

Dr. Robert Vela, president of this college, challenged local independent school districts, other colleges, universities and city officials to host a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes International Men’s March next year to make the event more widespread.

“Women go through unspeakable things,” mortuary science freshman Elijah Stansbury said.

“You never understand what somebody goes through until you’re in their shoes. Too many people turn a blind eye. Abuse should be stopped immediately.”

For more information on the empowerment center, call 210-4860455 or visit www.alamo.edu/sac/ swans.

Editorial

8 • April 20, 2015

.org

the

ranger

www.theranger.org/editorial

Editor Katherine Garcia

Managing Editor Mandy Derfler Assistant Managing Editor – News Cynthia M. Herrera Assistant Managing Editor – Features Richard Montemayor Calendar Editor Aaron Martinez Staff Writers Jose Arredondo, Tyrin Bradley, Christina M. Briseno, Eddie Chozet, Kyle R. Cotton, Travis Doyle, R. Eguia, Priscilla M. Galarza, Sabrina Griffith, M.A. Horta, Te Keyshia Johnson, Melissa Luna, Edith Moctezuma, Nathalie Mora, Janelle Polcyn, Karenna J. Reyna, Matthew Reyna, V.L. Roberson, Alyssa Zapata Photo Editor E. David Guel Photo Team Cassi Armstrong,

Jack Jackson, Tress-Marie Landa Multimedia Editor Daniel Carde Video Team Neven Jones, Rey Ruiz, Taylor Tribbey Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant Pam Paz Distribution Manager Shelly Delgado

@therangerSAC /readtheranger /therangervideo

©2015 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 782124299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College.

The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations.

The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available by phone (210) 4861765 or as a download at www.theranger.org.

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

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor.

Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages.

Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299 or faxed to (210) 486-9292.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773.

Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office.

Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

Lack of advisers costing student’s time Students will not succeed without more regular assistance.

During a Governance Leadership Institute conference March 19-21, four community college presidents from around the country said there should be one adviser per 160 students, but the estimated number of students to advisers at this college is one to 800 students, said Amy Whitworth, chair of the language, philosophy and culture department.

There should be no reason why the ratio should be that big.

Not only does that create a less student-centered college, it makes stu-

dents not want to attend this college.

With the estimated one to 800 ratio, students feel like they are not cared for when they are thrown into the world of college.

When students are making the transition from high school to college and especially if a student is the first in their family to attend college, they need the proper support. Without that support from advisers, students will not want to go to this college.

For students who are already in college, the lack of an adviser could cause the students to drop out.

Some students may be struggling with classes already and may need the

assistance of an adviser, but a student may not get the counseling that keeps them on the path toward graduation or transferring.

By not having enough advisers, students will get lost in the system.

If the district does care about the students, they would invest more money in hiring more advisers, which would benefit students.

This could result in students regularly meeting with advisers and discussing any problems that may prevent graduation.

Students need to come first and advisers are the bridge students need to reach success.

Committee should keep tabs on funds SGA may increase the activity fee.

During the April 2 Activity Fee Committee meeting, Richard Farias, director of student life, said this college may need to increase its student activity fee.

The fee is $1 per credit hour, meaning a student taking 12 hours a semester pays $12.

While the committee would have to get the increase approved districtwide and by the board, here’s what they can do for now.

The committee can be stricter on the number of funds given out to each club or organization.

They should cap the amount of money they give to each group at $5,000.

That plus fundraising should be more than enough for each club.

This way the committee can give out funds to more organizations, and organizations who normally request more funds can raise the money themselves.

Another option is decreasing or eliminating the salaries of the committee’s two full-time employees, who are

paid out of the fees.

The committee should explore these options instead of trying to get the board to raise the fee for everyone across the district.

If the fee were to be raised by $1 per credit hour, students taking 12 hours will be paying $24 per semester. This money could be spent on school supplies, food and other necessary items.

The committee needs to budget more carefully instead of hitting up students — ­ most of whom never have a chance to take advantage of activities.

letters online viewpoints online Workforce talk needed for students, business leaders Editor: Is there a skills gap in the transition from college graduation to joining the workforce?

What does the city’s workforce need from new employees?

What are students looking for as they enter the workforce?

These were the questions that we were looking to answer during the San Antonio Students Speak Series Roundtable cohosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the National Campus Leadership

Council March 30.

The roundtable brought together universities and community colleges, and local businesses were present for the discussion offering a diverse input.

As the first student in Texas to serve on a community college board, I understand the value of student input when making decisions that directly affect us.

Jacob Wong, student trustee

Read the complete letter on theranger.org.

Gwen Garcia, Jon Hernandez,

Alexandra Nelipa

Advocate love, not hate Viewpoint by Katherine Garcia

Anti-gay marriage protesters made me realize what’s worth fighting for.

While crossing Loop 410 and San Pedro with a friend once, I saw four people holding a sign in the median.

The sign read, “Man+Woman Equals Marriage” and called for drivers to honk if they believed the statement true.

One man said his concern: without a married man and woman, humanity would not populate the Earth.

I couldn’t believe these four were

standing in the median of a busy intersection just to “protest” gay marriage.

No, that’s incorrect, because a protest means you are fighting for a cause; you are fighting to improve something.

Marriage equality is not an issue needing attention; it’s every citizen’s right, so let’s move on and work on real problems.

Read the complete viewpoint on theranger.org.

Anthony B. Botello, Vanessa Frausto,

News

www.theranger.org/news

ACTIVITY from Page 1 from district of what they think enrollment would be for all five of the colleges,” Farias said. “District just let us know as of today that we have a lot less than what was projected, so that $334,000 that we thought we would have is actually $290,000.”

Farias is anticipating the projection for next year will also be around $290,000.

“Three years ago, the whole budget was $400,000, so it has gone down about $100,000, so I say that to this group because we have to find a way of looking into increasing the student activity fee,” Farias said.

The fee at district colleges is $1 per credit hour each semester. Farias said it would have to be the Student

ADVISER from Page 1 The advising and counseling center expects to receive six more advisers in the summer.

“Their 800 could expand to 1,200 (students),” Samet said. “My point is that even with 20 to 21 that’s a third of what we were promised in advisers.

And to handle 18 (thousand) to 23,000 students, that’s not meeting the needs.”

Joan Tsacalis, director for advising and counseling, said the advising model she is trying is to have advisers switch to a case load model. The model is to assign every adviser to a department or field of study and handle students from there.

“I really do like the idea of a case load model because it gives you that consistent relationship,” Tsacalis said.

The college uses a cross-training model that helps the advising team match an adviser to a student in case the assigned adviser is absent.

Tsacalis said the advising center is manually assigning advisers to students. Within the last two months, the center has assigned approximately 9,000 students to advisers.

The process takes about 45 seconds to manually enter after a student is enrolled in the college. She estimates 19,000 students will be manually assigned advisers by the end of summer.

“I’ve come from a place where it’s a vast process; I can take 500 students and assign them to an adviser,” she said.

Tsacalis has been at this college for six months.“The good thing about me being a new supervisor of this area is that I can bring the best practices from the places I worked.”

She has worked for 20 years in higher education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas State University and the University of Cincinnati.

The advising center is waiting for the system to be adopted, which allows the process to work faster. District promised to hire 60 advisers within a year.

While the number of advisers is expected to grow by the summer, the

Government Association’s call to recommend raising the activity fee.

The decision to raise fees would be up to the Alamo Colleges board of trustees.

In other business, Farias said no student organizations requested funding this month.

“There have been no requests yet for the $7,500 that’s reserved for $250 per club up to 30 clubs,” Farias said.

As of right now, the student activity fee budget has $860 remaining in its coffers, Farias said.

The budget does have a buffer of nearly $1,400 because some clubs had extra funds they did not spend, he said.

However, the committee is waiting to hear from four student organizations that have not reported their

student

101 Eateries, parks, coffee houses for downtime

By Janelle Polcyn

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Richard Farias, director of student activities, discusses budget issues during the student services fee advisery committee meeting April 2 in Fletcher. Farias informed participants of possible budget shortfalls in the near future. Jack Jackson spending yet.

“We are still waiting for reconciliation on four groups,” Farias said.

The groups are club AMAR, which was awarded $625; the Kinesiology Club, awarded $3,500; ENACTUS,

number of counselors is an issue. There are only three counselors on this campus with only one full-time female counselor and one part-time.

“In a short period of time, we will probably lose all our females except for one,” Samet said. He added the parttime counselor recently received her doctorate, and is looking to find a fulltime job to start off her career.

There are two part-time counselors in the empowerment center.

Now that Title 9 is to be enforced, women are likely to speak to a female counselor rather than a male, Samet and Tsacalis agreed.

“I know being a woman myself that there are some issues I would only want to address with a woman,” Tsacalis said in an interview.

Title 9 gives protection to students who face discrimination from sexual harassment, gender inequality and domestic violence. Starting July 1, new students are required to complete training. If a student confides in a faculty member about an incident, faculty are required to report those cases.

“Do they really want to deal with a white Anglo male? No, they want to see a female,” Samet said during Faculty Senate.

There is only one full-time female counselor, Maria Gomez, in disability support services and one part-time counselor, Marlise Lonn, in the advising center.

They are available on a rotation schedule throughout the week.

Advisers not only help with new student orientations but also with career and transferring, as well as interviewing skills. Counselors are available to help students with interpersonal situations.

To visit an adviser, students must come to the office as a walk-in and should come in as early as possible to avoid long wait times. The offices are on the first floor of Moody Learning Center.

For more information on advising and counseling, call 210-486-0334.

For information on Title 9, visit www.alamo.edu/alamocares/.

awarded $9,214; and Odyssey of the Mind; which was awarded $8,062.

The committee’s final meeting of the semester, where it will vote on next year’s budget, is at 3 p.m. May 7 in Room 323 of Fletcher.

MAJORS from Page 1 He said he is working to set up a fall forum where members of City Council, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and public and private universities will answer questions on what businesses want when hiring graduates.

“No real solution came forward,” Wong later said at the SGA meeting at this college April 13. “But we were able to fill in a lot of the gaps and the missing information that they had.”

He referred to Palo Alto students, who argued the district does not have enough transparency, students do not have a voice and they are concerned about degrees for freshmen who started in fall 2014 when they transfer to a four-year university.

“I will agree with you that we have not had a system that works,” Leslie said. “We need to

fix the system and students need to be a part of it.”

Leslie said he is open to suggestions from Super Senate, Faculty Senate leaders at the five colleges. The May 22 Super Senate is not open to the public.

Computer science sophomore Simon Sanchez led Palo Alto students as he asked Leslie to be more specific on the removal of majors from degrees. Students said majorchange information is hard to find online.

Leslie said, “We are working very deliberately so we can get all this information on the website.”

Administrators plan public forums at each of the colleges, but only Palo Alto has set a date.

That forum will be 6-8 p.m. May 6, but no location has been set.

The next SDC meeting is 2 p.m. May 1 at the Killen Center.

PETITION from Page 1

several local business owners who said having a major on a degree does not affect a graduate’s ability to be hired. Wong said he is planning to discuss potential hiring with the board, Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Higher Education Representative Assembly.

Perez said the council would like to meet with the rest of the board. He said the petition will circulate to all five Alamo Colleges, and he hopes to get a majority vote of 60 percent of students wanting to oust the chancellor.

He hopes to present the petition to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and ask for guidance and direction.

Perez said the coalition will be at every regular board meeting until their goal is realized.

“We’re not loosening up. We’re just getting stronger,” he said.

Both parties explained their cases but did not reach an agreement.

Perez said Leslie and Wong explained how removing majors would save students time and money on transferring, but he said the coalition will not back down. “They’re still pleading their case, and we’re still pleading ours.”

Wong said other issues were resolved, such as getting a building similar to this college’s empowerment center at other colleges to compensate for the lack of student services.

However, the coalition brought up majors with “accusations, not solutions,” Wong said.

Wong said the petition needs to be backed up with facts.

He asked coalition members about the benefits of majors on degrees and was met by silence.

He said he has met with

GRADUATION from Page 1

Turning their tassels from right to left, candidates transition from student to graduate. File

April 20, 2015 • 9

There is a parking fee for guests, but graduates will receive one parking pass.

Parking at the Freeman Coliseum ranges from $7 to $15, according to the coliseum’s website.

Last year, around 1,050 graduates at this college participated in the ceremony, and there were about 10,500 guests, said Joe Jacques, associate director of student services.

Jacques expects both numbers to grow this year.

“It’s increasing over the last few years;

we are expecting more than last year.”

Jacques said.

This college’s commencement ceremony always includes a former student speaker and a well-known community member.

Past years have included a police chief, an astronaut and professors who all have attended this college. Student services has not yet announced this year’s speaker.

Degrees should be posted in ACES 30 days after graduation, and diplomas will be mailed 60 days after graduation.

For more information, call the admissions office at 210-486-0200.

While the campus atmosphere is good for downtime between classes, students and faculty alike need a place away from academia to unwind.

Rather than spend time at home, a walk, bike or a bus ride away are several spots for hanging with friends. From the natural serenity of parks and gardens to the aroma of mocha or the smell of fresh tortillas next to a steaming plate of Te x - M e x favor ites, there is a a place for fun elip ra N d n a and relaxation.

Alex The Japanese Tea Gardens are just 2 miles from this campus.

Music sophomore Kyle Chappell visits the gardens to relax, exercise and enjoy nature.

“My favorite place of all time to go — I’ve gone there plenty of times — is the Japanese Tea Gardens,” Chappell said. “My favorite part is the koi fish. I turn into a cat; I just stare at all the fish. I definitely go with someone; that’s always a requirement.”

Entrance is free and open to the public. The gardens, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St., are open from dawn to dusk.

When looking for a cozier activity, just a mile up the road is Local Coffee at Pearl Brewery.

“Mornings are a little slow, so this time is good for a quiet place to study,” political science freshman Arieious Revonhart said. “Later in the evening, more people are present and this time is better for socialization.”

Local Coffee at the Pearl Brewery, 302 Pearl Parkway, Suite 118, is open seven days a week with espresso, slow-pour and decaf drink options with an industrial interior and proximity to the San Antonio River.

Other coffee options include Candlelight Coffee House, La Taza and Starbucks.

Other student favorites are Main Street Pizza & Pasta, Landry’s and Sparky’s Pub and Café.

Finding a new favorite hangout can happen at any moment.

“I found most of these by driving around, recommendations from friends or a web search,” Revonhart said.

Mary Schlabig, administrative services specialist, recommended the office of student life, located in Loftin Student Center, as the hub for campus clubs and events. But she acknowledged some students do prefer off-campus hangouts, too.

“Student life provides the center for (students) while they’re on campus,” she said. “If they’re just attending school here and not participating in any of the activities, they do need (another) place.”

News

10 • April 20, 2015

www.theranger.org/news

Nursing students train for childbirth on mannequins New simulated “mom” mannequin offers experience in labor and delivery.

By Edith Moctezuma sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The college’s nursing education department has purchased two simulated junior mannequins, one simulated mom mannequin and a simulated mom course for $119,984.70 using Carl Perkins Grant funds.

The nursing lab in Room 223 of the nursing complex now has 22 mannequins programmed to act like humans so students learn to work with real patients, Dion Morin, R.N., said.

Morin is an education specialist who is responsible for setting labs for faculty, assisting faculty with instruction and helping students who need more time to practice procedures.

In the lab, students are able to treat mannequins with common health concerns, such as

diabetes or hypertension, or monitor a baby’s heart, he said.

Morin said students learn how to communicate effectively with patients and think critically in real time. The mannequins teach students to become safe practice nurses who abide by the Texas Board of Nursing’s rules and regulations and are able to make decisions on what is safe for the patient, Morin said.

In the lab, students learn the background of the mannequin or patient before providing care.

He said students are able to interact with mannequins and ask questions such as inquiring about pain level before treating the pain.

The mannequin’s response comes from a faculty member using a microphone from the “program room.”

This room is also equipped with computers showing the mannequins’ vital signs. Students are able to provide “practimed,” pretend medi-

The nursing department’s infant, newborn and delivering mother simulator in Room 223 of the nursing complex. The pregnant mannequin can be programmed to give birth and have complications. Daniel Carde cations, such as an injection or start an intravenous medication.

The lab now is equipped with infants, ado-

lescents, adults, elderly and a mom, a mannequin that can deliver a baby.

Faculty should be trained to use the sim mom by the end of March.

Morin said students also learn to communicate with patients from other countries.

He said one of the scenarios using the sim mannequins portrayed a baby in the hospital with parents from Eagle Pass who spoke only Spanish.

He said that since one of the students spoke Spanish, she would be the translator.

“The equipment gives students confidence practicing on persons in the hospital,” said Stella Cirlos, director of the department of nursing education.

She also said this lab helps students learn from mistakes before they go to a hospital setting. Morin said all students in the nursing program are exposed to the simulated mannequins.

iPad pilot helps students learn from mistakes

By Edith Moctezuma sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Dental assisting and medical assisting students are finding that watching a video of themselves performing procedures on an iPad helps them improve.

The allied health department received 24 iPad Air this semester as part of a pilot program to determine whether students perform better using the tablets.

Usha Venkat, director of information technology, said these Wi-Fi, lightweight devices can easily access the Internet and can take students’ learning beyond the classroom.

Students have now been able to record phycomotive assignments, which require combining physical and cognitive skills.

Dental assisting sophomore Julie Litaker who has used the iPad for a coronal polishing certification, where she polished the outside of the teeth of a mannequin with a handpiece in a preventive dentistry class She said it is easier to see what she needs to improve rather than being told in a critique. She also said recording students’ procedure assignments makes it more convenient because they can watch the video when they have more time.

After watching her video, Litaker said she was able to find mistakes, such as her hand position.

Medical assisting sophomore Deann Ferguson performed an electrocardiogram on classmate Bryanna Arnold, who pretended to be a patient, in a clinical procedures class that used the iPads.

An electrocardiogram is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart.

During the procedure, students need to demonstrate their ability to explain the set of reasons for performance of a procedure to the patient; distinguish between nor-

4 T H TEXAS A&M-SAN ANTONIO MAIN CAMPUS ONE UNIVERSITY WAY SAN ANTONIO, TX 78224

mal and abnormal test results; and demonstrate respect for individual diversity incorporating awareness of the students’ own biases in areas including gender, race, religion, age, and economic status. This is required by the curriculum provided by the accrediting agency, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

After students finished the procedures, they were able to immediately look at the video. “There are so many things they don’t realize until they see them,” said Hal G. Buntley, coordinator of the medical assisting program.

Buntley said teachers can cri-

tique, but that does not have the same impact as a student realizing their performance through a video.

Ferguson said the iPads have helped her learn by being able to see herself and practice.

Buntley said iPads help students see their actual performance rather than their perception of how they did. It also helps him not to interrupt.

Buntley said the program might get microphones so students can hear how they talk to patients.

The program’s Advisory Committee has highlighted the need for students to develop people skills more than technical skills.

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News

www.theranger.org/news

April 20, 2015 • 11

Bexar County struggles with child abuse Stop identity theft by protecting info

By Christina M. Briseno and Katherine Garcia sac-ranger@alamo.edu

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and this college’s early childhood center will raise awareness by participating in the city’s Cardboard Kids project.

Ana DeHoyos, early childhood studies professor, picked up 60 cardboard silhouette cutouts of children from Child Safe SA. Students in the program decorated each cutout with a name and story.

Christina Schoonover, assistant director of development for Child Safe, said while the stories and names behind the cutouts may be fictional or non-fictional, it’s the awareness the cutouts bring that counts.

A state agency ranked Bexar County fourth in Texas for confirmed child abuse and neglect cases.

In 2014, of 66,572 such cases in Texas, 5,434 occurred in Bexar County, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

“That’s not a thing to be proud of; that’s embarrassing,” said Ana DeHoyos, early child-

hood studies professor. “Last year, students and I attended a city budget meeting, and our citizens demanded more street repair … rather than demanding services for children and family.”

She said the community should urge city officials to increase support for organizations like Child Safe San Antonio, an advocacy center providing specialized services to physically abused, neglected or sexually abused children.

According to cardboardkidssa.com, the cutouts are meant to share stories, start conversations and be “teachable moments” for kids and parents to discuss body safety.

The site suggests discussing body ownership, being persistent when telling an adult if someone hurts them and getting away from inappropriate touches.

“Students took the silhouettes and chose a public place in their community to place them,” said Randall Gladder, early childhood studies adjunct.

As future advocates and teachers, students learn to lead parents to educational resourc-

By Edith Moctezuma sac-ranger@alamo.edu

File Photos es and reduce child abuse.

“Our code (of conduct) is that we are responsible above all not to harm children,” DeHoyos said. “Also, to provide information to our parents and community about the care of a child.”

Child abuse consists of physical, neglect, psychological and sexual abuse. Considering all these topics, faculty teach students what their responsibility is as a teacher.

If a teacher notices a parent screaming at a child or a child has not been bathed, the teacher must get answers, she said.

“That’s when you have to find out: do they not have water? Are they living out of their car?” she said.

Professor Linda Lowman served as a volunteer courtappointed special advocate, or CASA, for 13 ½ years.

The county has a special court for child abuse cases.

When Lowman was assigned a case, she would know everyone associated.

Each case would take Lowman 20-25 hours per month. At the end, Lowman recommended to have the child return to the parents or be placed for adoption.

“In Bexar County, we had a lot of terminations — terminating a lot of parental rights, which meant those parents would never get their children back,” she said.

The department also encourages students to vote.

When a candidate says children are the future, voters should ask what will be provided for children and their families so they become the future, DeHoyos said.

“If they don’t have the protective factors, then they’re not going to be our future,” she said. “We rally on child abuse when it’s too late.

Identity theft can happen to anyone anywhere and at any time, but the director of information technology at this college offers some tips for students to guard against it.

Usha Venkat said identity theft is when any personal information such as birth certificates or passports is stolen for unlawful gain affecting the victim financially or for getting government documents.

Venkat said identity theft has become prevalent because of the accessibility of information through online media.

Identity theft can happen by leaving personal information available or by simply giving a friend access to credit cards, she said.

Although she said extensive criminal enterprises specialize in this, many times identities get stolen from a friend or co-worker.

Some possible signs of identity theft are email surveys or phishing emails in which messages are sent from a fraudulent sender address. Prevention is the best deterrent from identity theft, she said.

Venkat recommends keeping personal documents locked up on campus, shredding personal information and using strong passwords.

Venkat said it also is important to not share personal information through emails, chats or blogs. She also advised shopping at reputable companies and to be discreet by not sharing home addresses or travel plans in social media.

When dealing with personal information, Venkat suggests doing so in private. She also warned students to never respond to emails asking for credit cards, passports or passwords. Immediately delete them, she said.

“Keep personal information private,” she said. “Do not share with anyone.”

In cases of identity theft in which credit card information is stolen, Venkat recommends immediately notifying the bank and the police.

If identity theft occurs through a college email account, students can call the support central help desk at 210-4850555 and report the situation. Or they can call district police at 210-485-0911 or email abuse@alamo.edu.

Feature

12 • April 20, 2015

www.theranger.org/news

SEA hosts events orbiting Earth Day all week Volunteers will encourage recycling at Battle of Flowers Parade.

By Travis Doyle

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The Students for Environmental Awareness, known as SEA, will have events and opportunities to volunteer Monday through Saturday in observation of Earth Day on Wednesday.

At 6 p.m. Monday in Sinkin EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main Ave., SEA will show the documentary “Growing Cities” by Dan Susman, which examines the role of urban farming in America.

The student organization often works closely with EcoCentro.

“We want to bring people to EcoCentro for people to get to know the building and see the awesome classroom we have, and how we can accommodate students and show a movie there,” said Lisa Cervantes, environmental science sophomore

and president of SEA. “The documentary is about a film crew that goes around the U.S. learning about different urban farming in America,” Cervantes said. “It will show different examples of communities coming together to grow food in urban environments.”

On Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., the group will have a park cleanup at San Pedro Springs Park.

Anybody is welcome to come by the EcoCentro building at 6 p.m. to sign in and earn two volunteer hours by helping SEA clean up the park.

At 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, SEA will have a booth at Funfest in the mall.

The organization is selling aguas frescas, aloe vera, peppers, tomatoes

and other plants at their booth. They are giving reusable bags to students who turn in two recyclable items

such as glass, plastic and cardboard.

There is another booth giving away an Amazon Kindle to the winner of a recycling photo contest on their Facebook page.

Wednesday also marks the one-year anniversary of EcoCentro.

The organization is holding an evening event for the anniversary in the building where SEA will give a tour and a presentation.

The event is from 4-7 p.m. in EcoCentro.

On Thursday at 4 p.m., a garden bike ride is scheduled in which participants will ride to community gardens, such as those in Beacon Hill.

Participants should bring gardeno lons ing tools.

B. A a i fan Este Participants will meet at EcoCentro.

Friday and Saturday will be volunteer days.

Up to 20 volunteers are needed per event.

Volunteers will pick up recyclables and encourage recycling by passing out bags to spectators at the Battle of the Flowers parade and King William Fair.

On Friday at 1 p.m., volunteers will meet at EcoCentro to go downtown to the parade.

The shift for the event will be 1:304:30 p.m.

After the event, volunteers will go back to EcoCentro to get a service letter and have a meal with the staff and other volunteers.

Saturday at noon, volunteers will meet at EcoCentro to go to the King William Fair to help increase recycling efforts.

For more information, visit the Students for Environmental Awareness page at www.facebook. com/SEAchangeinSA.

Students visit Hill Country ancient archaeology site Lab and dig site connect classwork to real world.

By Janelle Polcyn

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Only so much education can be attained in a classroom setting, so an archaeology professor at this college took several of his students March 28 to visit an archaeological lab in San Marcos and a dig site near Florence to expand their knowledge.

Archaeology Professor Wesley Copas teaches the only face-to-face archaeology class here. For three semesters now, he has taken students to visit a working laboratory and site so they can see professionals in action. “(It’s a) very well-known and very significant site called the Gault site north of Austin,” Copas said. “The site is, for lots of reasons, very important in understanding the first Americans, the earliest people here. They’ve got some of the oldest archaeological material

Dr. D. Clark Wernecke, executive director of the Gault School of Archaeological Research at Texas State University, stands in an excavation area at the Gault Site north of Austin March 28. Courtesy from the Americas there.”

Excavation has been going on at the site since 1929, and there is still plenty to discover, which makes it a good place to take students to see all of the work that goes into a dig site, Copas said.

The group started at the Gault School of Archaeological Research at Texas State University and then drove to Florence, where they saw the actual site, Copas said.

“What’s an archaeology class without ... actually seeing the dirt and seeing the buck-

ets? It’s much more effective,” Copas said. “The students are just spellbound the whole time when we’re doing this. I think it’s a really, really neat experience for them.”

Most of the students have never seen a real archaeology lab or dig site. They learned just how vast a job it is to discover early Americans by taking apart the land.

“I liked getting to see the lab,” English sophomore Timothy Bell said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before, all the artifacts. Ancient people

Students in anthropology Adjunct Wesley Copas’ archaeology class observe the Gault excavation site March 28. This is the third consecutive semester he has taken his students to visit the site and the Gault School of Archaeological Research at Texas State University. Courtesy leave a lot behind. They have a lot of stuff stored there, and I don’t even know how they go through and find it all because there is so much there.”

Visitors at the site can see arrowheads and other small artifacts lying on the surface.

For several years, Copas wanted to get students involved and give them a better understanding of what archaeology means. A student recommended the site, and now Copas has visited it three

times with his classes.

“One of my students, one of those exceptional students, said,‘What about the Gault Site?

I volunteer there,’” he said.

Approximately 15 students made the trip to San Marcos and then Florence to understand the regular lessons better.

“I went to learn more about what we’re learning in class,” Bell said. “When you learn stuff in class, you see the words on the pages and the pictures in the books, but when you see it

in action, you feel closer to it, makes it more real.”

The trip, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., included 1 1/2 to two hours at the lab and three hours at the site, plus the driving, Bell said “If people have a chance to go there, they shouldn’t pass it up because it is a really neat place,” Bell said.

“Just learning about it in the classroom and actually seeing it in real life, it’s a great experience.”