The Ranger, April 25, 2016

SPECIAL ISSUE .org

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ranger X Serving San Antonio College since 1926

An independent forum of free voices

Volume 90 Issue 17 • April 25, 2016

210-486-1773 • Single copies free

District trustee Election Special inside

Ever-evolving field of modern journalism Ranger faculty stays true to the core professional values of journalism.

Like professional journalists, student journalists at The Ranger have always had to make themselves available to their sources to get the story. This

By R.Eguia means being accessible to busy district officials for sac-ranger@alamo.edu comments before 7:30 a.m. or calls to facilities after The Ranger newspaper has experienced all three modern 6 p.m. Or being on call for that one hard-to-reach critical junctures in communication since its inception in official who has been flooded with appointments 1926. Radio, television and Internet have revolutionized how and meetings all week. Simply covering board the world receives news while completely reconstructmeetings until well into the evening is a huge ing the industry that journalists operate in and how dedication for students who have families, they present facts. hobbies and course loads. This week’s comIndustry entry points have changed, requiring mittee meeting ended at midnight. an entirely different way of advising students.

This is why reporting classes begin with Journalism Chair Marianne Odom said stumany bug-eyed hopefuls and end with dents used to identify with a single skill, specializing critical champions of time management in photojournalism, newswriting, feature writing, and team work. Students who register for broadcast or layout. Now a student must acclimate reporting classes at this college are explicthemselves to all news disciplines because those itly told when they register that they are specialized jobs don’t exist as they used to. responsible for producing a paper and After The Ranger, students may pursue majors must make arrangements to be available that will benefit the kind of reporting they want for the expectations of a newspaper. to do, studying business or political science to be The struggle to make a deadline is easmore competitive. The modern reporter is expected ily obscured by unreasonable part-time to know it all, and reporting for The Ranger teaches hours, demanding classes required to gradthem the core of professional objective reporting and uate and heavy college existential priorities. all of the opportunity to figure out how they will tell Potential journalism champions used to the story, which is constantly evolving. be groomed in a program formed by W.B. These students now enter an industry with vary“Dub” Daugherty, who taught at this college ing standards for objectivity. from 1968 until he died in 1995.

Chet Hunt, who served as journalism chair for 10 At his memorial service, Dorothy Estes, years, said objectivity is sorely missing from modern then-longtime adviser to The Shorthorn journalism. “There is a trend for readers to only read at the University of Texas at Arlington, what they agree with. There are two different versions recalled her first encounter with Daugherty of the news out there,” he said. at a college journalism conference. She said Unfortunately, modern media has been politicized he sat down, put his feet up and declared he and journalists need to be asking the right questions, was going to create the best college newshe said. Reporting the news in the information age paper in the country and the other advisers presents a challenge because the world is overwhelmed by were going to show him how. distrusted data.

As enrollment in the 1970s grew, so Robert W. McChesney, professor at the Communication Center did the faculty, including Burkett, Gerald for Global Studies, part of the Annenberg School for Communication Townsend and Chet Hunt. at the University of Pennsylvania, said critical junctures in media are defined by a revolutionary Burkett said there was a surge of interest in journalnew communication technology that undermines the existing system. This causes a popular ism because Watergate made journalism exciting, but also distrust in the content of the media because of political dis-equilibrium related to social unrest. because of Daugherty. “He was completely devoted to the The Internet has introduced a million new things the news has to compete with outside program and fearless. He taught everyone in the departof the million new platforms that call themselves news. It’s a challenge for students, let alone ment to not be intimidated because he would never be Eric Ka ne average citizens, to distinguish what is journalism versus what is calling itself journalism — n intimidated,” Burkett said. ewspap and Irene Ab er at Sa rego re three sources versus none and subjectivity on so many levels.

Daugherty, Burkett and Hunt launched the Urban n Anton view th io Pres s Inc. F e Reporting Instructor and former Ranger editor Irene Abrego said she believes in the Journalism Workshop, a two-week immersion boot camp ile watchdog role of news agencies in a democratic society. “Everything organized for high school students from 1985 to 2013. Students we learn comes from reporting,” she said. had to be nominated by their teachers for excellence in writing This mentality is used in The Ranger newsroom that she advises and apply to be a part of the workshop where they were tasked to today. Student reporters are tasked with questioning the government create one issue of a newspaper with their peers. that controls their education. “We believe the time to be informed is Odom said the best part of that program was to see the students before something happens,” Odom said. grow, often unaware of their own abilities until given the opportuWhen there was higher enrollment at this college, all of the reportnity to report. ing classes were required to cover at least one district board of trustThe Ranger newspaper has been giving students this opportuees meeting. “If you can cover district, you can cover any government nity for 90 years and reaping the awards. In 1988, The Ranger was meeting. It’s a valued skill,” Odom said. She said the administration named Best Non-daily Student Newspaper in the nation by the has always supported The Ranger because they understand the Society of Professional Journalists. Editors at the time were Russ importance of a free student press, even if they don’t like the headLopez and Abrego. lines.

The Ranger also has regularly been a winner or finalist for the Lynnell Burkett, who served as the journalism chair for six years, Pacemaker, awarded by the Associated Collegiate Press to twosaid The Ranger is the only medium that pays close attention to what and four-year institutions for journalistic excellence. scissors or a The Ranger newsroom when cut and paste meant File d. allowe was ng happens in the district.

The first issue of the Ranger, published March 25, 1926, as The utility knife and hot wax and smoki Compared to other community college journalism programs and Junior Ranger, included this: “This is our paper. We have the matesome four-year institutions’ programs, the journalism faculty never rial and the news. Now all we need is the cooperation of the entire assign “fake,” or practice, stories. A student is challenged to go out and student body … Remember that ‘the eyes of Texas’ are upon us.” get the news instead of simply turning in something for a grade.

The Ranger went live online in 1997 and, now, Ranger reporters In the 1970s, the University of Texas at Austin experienced a surge are writing for the eyes of the world. of applicants to the journalism school. Burkett said its faculty referred Odom said the biggest challenge for modern journalism on the students they could not accommodate to this program.

Internet is how much competition there is for attention. Students “They recognized the quality. They would tell undergrads to go to and citizens are reading now less and less because there are so SAC and then come back,” Burkett said. “The whole purpose of The many other things to do with their time, so the modern reporter Ranger is to learn how to be an excellent journalist.” must present facts in ways that will engage and excite interest.

Odom remembers seeing The Ranger staff at regional journalism Despite dwindling readership across the nation, most responcompetitions while she was teaching at Tyler Junior College. “Ranger dents in a recent Pew Research Center study still think watchdog Marianne Odom edits students were practicing journalism with freedom and responsibility journalism is critically important. Reporters operating in this critiJ.C. Lewis’ story for the 9/11 special cal juncture have a huge responsibility to the truth. issu e Sept. 11, 2001. File of professional journalists,” Odom said.

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Special issue

2 • April 25, 2016

www.theranger.org/news

The Ranger is a true San Antonio treasure. It serves as the heartbeat of a huge urban college located in the middle of one of the nation’s largest cities.

Ranger garners 21 awards for spring, fall 2015 work at TIPA

Over the years, the college administration and faculty have maintained the newspaper as the purest form of laboratory experience. As other programs disassociated from their papers into so-called independent media funded and controlled by student government, SAC stayed with the formula

Staffers place in five of 10 onsite contests entered.

that beautifully merges pedagogy and practice.

For more than 30 years, I’ve had a wonderful relationship with the program, first as a former city editor of the San Antonio Light, then as adjunct faculty member and staff member of the long-running Urban Journalism Workshop.

My life and my career are richer and happier from that experience.

’’ ’’ Dr. Fred Blevens,

Journalism professor at Florida International University and former city editor of the San Antonio Light

Over the nearly 40 years since my time with The Ranger I have seen

nothing to dent my admiration

for the journalism faculty at SAC and the students who have maintained the professional culture there.

Rick Casey

KLRN Texas Week moderator

I’ve been in the district for over 30 years and I’ve always appreciated what The Ranger does for the students and the community here.

They do an extraordinary job covering issues and topics; there’s no

other paper in the community like them.

Steve Samet counselor

It’s important for students to see other students work diligently to show what’s happening on their campus. They don’t dumb down stories like other local papers.

You get authentic voices, and as a faculty member, it’s important to hear our students.

The stories feel true; it’s why I pick up The Ranger every Monday morning.

Jane Focht-Hansen English professor

They do a great job going after stories that keep the community informed on what’s going on, not just on campus, but in the district. It’s become a source that I can count on.

Sometimes I’ll browse theranger.org for stories that TPR may want to look into, as well as sources.

You can tell that the reporters, the editors and photographers all give 100 percent. The instructors are fantastic and they do a great job preparing students for a career in journalism.

Eileen Pace,

Morning Drive/Morning Edition host and reporter at Texas Public Radio

I have been reading the Ranger for 34 years, and continue to be impressed with the consistency of its journalistic quality. The Ranger has been an award-winning publication throughout the years I have been reading.

What is often recognized in Ranger reporting is the fearless willingness of generations of reporters to do in-depth and often controversial investigating.

The Ranger has been instrumental in spotlighting shady dealings and precipitating healthy changes in how we do business at SAC and in the Alamo Colleges.

Mike Burton

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English chair

The Ranger, much like The Baylor Lariat where I was a reporter and copy editor, stresses professionalism in covering news.

It’s more than a student newspaper, it’s the real deal.

Issues, controversy, happenings of interest, or others impacting your readers, that and more are its mainstay.

Campus newspapers such as yours give students a real taste of what awaits them in this ever-changing business.

Jessie Degollado KSAT 12 reporter

The Ranger does an excellent job of keeping its community informed with an emphasis on journalism of verification, the foundation of a thriving democracy.

It’s not too much to say that The Ranger is a valiant protector of transparency and, indeed, stokes the fire that keeps the fight for freedom of information alive.

Journalism can be a trying crucible, and it’s often a thankless profession, but The Ranger forges independent thinkers, trained in investigation, with a desire to keep government – and our society – honest.

It’s what we need to ensure our liberty. It’s been a good 90 years for The Ranger – here’s hoping there are 90 more to come. We surely need it.

Diana R. Fuentes deputy metro editor for the San Antonio Express-News

The San Antonio College Ranger for decades has been both a wonderful source of news about what’s going on at the campus and a springboard for the careers of many successful journalists. Whether it’s covering campus police to the Alamo Colleges board, the Ranger always has something important to say.

I’ve also hired many former Ranger staffers over the years, and they have always performed above and beyond expectations.

Thomas Edwards,

editor of Local Community News and former niché publications editor for the San Antonio Express-News

Quotes gathered by Wally Perez

The Ranger won five first place awards at the annual convention of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association April 2 in Dallas.

These were among 21 awards for student work published in The Ranger and The Ranger Online in spring and fall.

The Ranger’s print edition competes with newspapers printed once or twice a week at community and four-year colleges with large enrollments. The Ranger Online was judged in both categories for news websites.

Additionally, Ranger staffers scored five honors in 10 onsite contests at the convention March 31-April 1 at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel.

TIPA is the oldest professional organization for collegiate journalists in the nation and one of the largest.

In the onsite contest, managing editor Mandy Derfler won second place for editorial writing and print advertising and third place in newspaper design. Ranger photographer Brandon A. Edwards captured second in sports action photo, and assistant managing editor Wally Perez won honorable mention in feature photo.

“I am extremely proud of our students,” said journalism full-time Adjunct Teresa Talerico, who accompanied the students to TIPA. “Three of them had never been to TIPA before, and they went toe-to-toe against journalism students from two-year and four-year schools.”

In the previously published competition for The Ranger’s print version, first place honors went to Matthew Reyna for headline for “Restroom review encourages ‘holding it’”; Daniel Carde for feature photo for “Stemulate,” a photo of students promoting STEM education; Ranger photographer E. David Guel for sports news story for coverage of a brawl at a Lady Rangers basketball game; and The Ranger staff for opinion/editorial page design judges found “vibrant” for the number of letters to the editor.

The Ranger Online also won first place in Online Division 2 for best community engagement, which includes social media efforts on Facebook and Twitter.

Second place awards went to Ranger editor Kyle R. Cotton for news photo for “Drunk” and the Ranger staff for feature page design for Cotton’s photo story of a student blacksmith. The Ranger Online won second place for best community engagement in Online Division 1.

Third place honors were given to illustrator Alexandra Nelipa for an editorial cartoon

Legends Patrick Miller swings a pass around Blue defender Josh Huestis to set up Micheal Eric for an easy lay-up April 1 at Dr. Pepper Arena in Dallas. The Legends combined for 30 total assists as they cruised past the Blue 139-109. Brandon A. Edwards concerning students’ difficulties obtaining child care; fall 2015 editor Cynthia M. Herrera for an editorial on the irony of the district’s claims of financial transparency; Guel for sports action photo of a women’s basketball game; Cotton for picture story for “Blacksmith” and sports feature photo of a student practicing parkour; and Carde for general column for what the judges called a “cautionary tale” of youthful indiscretions.

Third place awards for The Ranger Online in Division 1 went to former staffer Neven Jones for best video package exploring a math adjunct’s math museum. In Division 2, The Ranger staff won third place in breaking news package for coverage of a hostage situation north of campus and third in best web navigation.

Honorable mentions went to Reyna for indepth reporting for a story on the condition of campus restrooms; Nelipa for illustration for “Volunteer”; Estefania B. Alonso for an editorial cartoon on smoking on a non-smoking campus; and Anthony B. Botello for feature photo for “Childcare,” which judges called a “very nice cute kid picture that actually goes with a story.”

Journalism faculty named Cotton this college’s Journalist of the Year.

Ranger named finalist in three categories by SPJ Region 8 Sports and editorial writing and photography earn honors against two- and four-year colleges.

The Ranger was named a finalist in three categories in the 2015 Mark of Excellence contest sponsored by Region 8 of the Society of Professional Journalists March 19 in Fort Worth.

The awards are for work published in The Ranger and The Ranger Online in spring and fall 2015.

Region 8 comprises Texas and Oklahoma, and student publications are divided into two divisions based on enrollment. The Ranger competes with two-year and four-year colleges with more than 10,000 students.

Former Ranger photographer Daniel Carde was one of two finalists in feature photography. His entry was a photo

story on a veteran running solo in a relay race to Corpus Christi to raise money for the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.

Ranger photographer E. David Guel was one of two finalists in online sports reporting for “Pirates steal one from the Rangers in nail-biter, 70-68.”

Fall 2015 Ranger editor Cynthia M. Herrera and fall calendar editor Pam Paz shared a finalist designation for three editorials, “Transparency award ironic,” “Really about trust, Dr. Leslie?” and “New ID cards no benefit to students.”

Entries were judged by professional journalists, and SPJ considers the awards representative of “the best in student journalism,” according to the profes-

Kinesiology sophomore Roel Gonzalez carries a 25-pound bar on an inclined treadmill and wears an elevation training mask set to 5,000 feet above sea level Sept. 22 in the gym in Candler. Running is his coping mechanism for dealing with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Daniel Carde sional organization’s website.

No one from The Ranger attended the Region 8 conference where the awards were presented.

Special issue

www.theranger.org/news

April 25, 2016 • 3

EXTRA! EXTRA! The Ranger often goes beyond its mission with special projects.

By Rebecca Flores sac-ranger@alamo.edu

time,” said journalism Instructor Irene Abrego, who said she felt a shaking but ignored it when Over the course of four decades, The Ranger no one else in the room seemed to notice. has focused several special issues on national Inspectors evacuated the campus to check tragedies and local news as well as campus buildings for cracks or damage. “They threw resources for new students. us out of the buildings, but we didn’t leave,” In the 1980s, W.B. Daugherty oversaw proAbrego said. “We got permission to come in the duction of The Night Ranger, a version of the next day, and the staff came in, despite the fact paper written by and for night students, who that the college was closed, and put together saw a different campus life than day students. two new pages of stories on the earthquake.”

In summer 1986, the staff produced the This was also the first completely digital Borderlands project, a cross-cultural learning issue of The Ranger. It also turned out to be the program that examined U.S.first time The Ranger missed Canada and U.S.-Mexico relaits publication date. At that They threw us out tions and was published in time, Ranger photographers of the buildings, The Fourth Write magazine. printed photos and sent but we didn’t leave.

The project allowed stuthem to the press with the dents and teachers the opporpasted up pages. Staff at San Irene Abrego, tunity to travel to the Mexican Antonio Press Inc. sized them journalism and Canadian borders. and taped them into the page instructor The Borderlands Project negatives. included coverage of the For this issue, links conannual International Bridge nected photos to the wrong Ceremony between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, spaces on the page and the paper had to be which celebrated how two small cities from two rerun the next day. “We took the pages back large nations cooperated and symbolized how and searched for every time element in them so a bridge was much more than just a structure. they could be changed and be correct the next Tricia Buchhorn, a photo adviser who was day,” Abrego said. a student photographer at the time, attended The Ranger also published several orientathe ceremony to capture those moments. “I tion issues beginning in the late 1990s to help was very concerned I wasn’t going to capture new students find their way around campus the moment. Not only would I be an embarand access available services. rassment to The Ranger but I would also be an The issues contained maps of the campus, embarrassment to my country.” stories on student resources as well as informaIn fall 1989, The Ranger’s Fourth Write magtion about events and clubs on campus. azine focused exclusively on AIDS. “It was a wonderful way to introduce to the This was an opportunity for The Ranger to students some of the services on campus and get information out about the deadly disease some of the benefits they can take advantage by featuring a timeline of the history of AIDS as of,” Abrego said. well as many personal stories.

The Ranger was also on the job covering the “At the time, AIDS was a disease that was local effects of national tragedies. getting a lot of media coverage because there For the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was a lot of controversy on the treatment and The Ranger produced a special wraparound on how people were perceived to have gotfour-page section for the regular issue. ten the disease, plus it was also very scary,” The college closed right away, but The said media communications Chair Marianne Ranger staff was called in for duty, Abrego Odom, who was a Ranger adviser at the time. said. In the midst of the chaos, The Ranger “It was very much in the news and also of staff covered press conferences, blood drives interest to young people. Because of some of and memorial services along with interviewthe dangers of drug use and unprotected sex, ing a terrorist specialist and a student reservist AIDS was a very real possibility, which is why I ready to go to war. think we decided to write about it,” Odom said.

“The students were giving it their best The Fourth Write, which was published effort,” Abrego said. “This was the week of our twice a year from 1968 to 1991, allowed stufirst issue in the fall semester so we had a lot of dents longer deadlines to write in-depth feabrand-new students. They had to go out in the ture stories, shoot photos, create illustrations world and cover, reasonably, the biggest event and design magazine-style layouts. of the century.”

“It was fun getting a magazine out because She added, “Despite the tragedy, I was very the less frequently a publication comes out, the pleased with the turnout of students and the more people expect perfection,” Odom said. job that they were doing that day.”

In April 1995, The Ranger published a Ranger staffers signed on for two Gulf Second Front page dedicated to the quake of Coast trips to cover the devastation in the magnitude 5.6, near Alpine. wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 as The “Marfa quake,” which was hundreds of well as the BP oil spill in 2010. miles from San Antonio, caused the campus Between Christmas and New Year’s, four to be evacuated after vibrations were reportmonths after the hurricanes, a Ranger team ed from the fourth floor of Moody Learning traveled to cities in Texas, Louisiana and Center.

Mississippi.

“This was such an unusual event at the The special issue featured personal stories

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Melissa Babin collects memories from damaged photographs in St. Bernard Parish, December 2005. File from victims.

“It was overwhelming emotionally,” said Joseph DeLeon, Web information specialist at the Texas Department of State Health Services, who was a Ranger reporter at the time. “So many things went through my mind. I was excited to travel, but when I got there, it was shocking to see the disaster. It was emotionally draining.”

Five years later, a team of six reporters and photographers and three advisers traveled along the Gulf of Mexico to Florida to cover the BP oil spill. Because the spill affected so large an area, The Ranger team split up in two groups to cover as much as possible.

Rather than creating a special issue for this disaster, The Ranger featured a few stories in every weekly issue because there was so much information on the spill to cover.

“We gathered so much information we decided to put a weekly insert into the paper to keep it fresh in everyone’s mind,” Buchhorn said. “It was going to affect those communities for a very long time.”

Closing the quadrangle gate at Fort Sam Houston on Sept.11, 2001. File Florida Beach enthusiast explains the oil clumps she is finding on her walk to Ranger editors. 2010 File

Eighteen-year-old Nehemiah Robison reviews the damage and debris flood waters left in his former bedroom in New Orleans East. His family moved to Houston, December 2005 File

Specia

4 • www.theranger.org/premiere March 25, 1926 The first issue of The Junior Ranger is published.

April 28, 1933 Only 40 of the 250 students pay the $3 blanket tax, generating only $120 for extracurricular activities. An editorial suggests students be required to pay at least $1 of the tax to ensure at least $250 for extracurricular activities.

Dec. 3, 1937 The Junior Ranger is asked by the administration to stop running cigarette ads in exchange for the funds raised by a $2 fee.

Funding for the newspaper is only half of the amount generated by cigarette ads.

May 1950 The Alpha Delta Chapter of the Beta Phi Gamma Co-Educational Journalistic Fraternity is chartered.

1958 Edith Fox King begins teaching English and journalism at this college and does so for 10 years.

She advised an underground Ranger that was not part of any courses.

March 22, 1963 The Ranger receives a second place award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

1967 The staff of The Ranger publishes El Alamo yearbook for the final time.

Sept. 10, 1968 While attempting to publish a four-page paper for the first day of registration, The Ranger runs into obstacles, such as a staff of only six, so it does not appear on newsstands until Sept. 27.

Oct. 30, 1970 The Ranger sponsors a letter drive to secure the release of American prisoners of war. The letters should be addressed to North Vietnam officials and placed in boxes at Ranger stands.

1973 The Ranger is published in a tabloid format.

1975 The journalism and photography department is formed.

1977 The journalism program is accredited by the Community College Journalism Association.

1977 Jerry Townsend joins the journalism faculty as a photojournalism instructor and adviser to The Ranger.

1978 Chester F. “Chet” Hunt joins the journalism faculty and advises The Ranger. He is declared “a legend of Texas journalism” for his work as a high school journalism teacher.

Information compiled

by Tim Hernandez Infographic by Mandy Derfler

Sept. 19, 1932 The Junior Ranger, which evolved into The Ranger, charges 5 cents per copy, 75 cents for a year’s subscription and 50 cents for a semester subscription.

Subscriptions are free to students who have paid their blanket tax, a fee encouraged but not required to fund extracurricular activities like The Junior Ranger and intramural sports.

Where are they now The Ranger caught up with former Ranger staffers to see what they’re up to now.

Visit www.theranger.org for more than 90 stories.

If you’re not here, send us the info and we’ll add you.

Interactive map by Mandy Derfler

Paul Zoeller

Jason B. Hogan

1995-1997 Charleston, S.C. I owe a lot to the program at SAC. I was not a good photographer, writer and definitely not a journalist. They shaped me into a strong photojournalist with strong ethics who write. An impossible goal but Tric the rest of the faculty at SAC molded lean, mean, news-gathering machin

2007-2012 Sealy Being a member of a tight-knit college newspaper, I was able to gain practical and hands-on experience in multiple positions that have prepared me for my current professional position. And whenever in employment need, you can always call someone else from the family to help, as we are spread all over the country.

1946 The first journalism course is offered in the English department.

Sept. 13, 1948 The Junior Ranger changes its name to the Jaysee Ranger, Jaysee meaning J.C. for Junior College.

Angela Cov

March 4, 1955 Cigarette ads reappear in The Ranger.

2004-2005 San Ant Everything I know ab ism, I learned from Mari Irene Abrego, Tricia Bu working on The Ranger I learned at The Ranger for success to manage m Antonio.

Sept. 29, 1961 The Ranger and President Wayland P. Moody speak out against talkers in the cafeteria. Those not eating or who love to talk are urged to leave so hungry students may sit and eat in peace.

Oct. 18, 1964 The staff of The Ranger expands to 74 writers, editors, cartoonists and photographers.

Pa

1990 My bi The Rang was youn professors ers showe know I possessed. I also lea concise writing style that ser

Fall 1968 The Fourth Write magazine begins and is published once a semester.

1969 W.B. “Dub” Daugherty begins to teach journalism at this college and advise The Ranger.

Spring 1970 Daugherty attends his first Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention and is quoted as saying, “I want to know how to make this the best newspaper in the country.”

Susan Ayala Hancock 1984-1986 Plano Most importantly, my start at The Ranger and the work that followed, helped prepare me in researching this mysterious affliction called autism at a time when information and resources were not readily available to the general public. In the early ’80s when little was known, the medical community had little to offer me when my son was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. Instead of feeling powerless and overwhelmed, that journalism experience helped me dig, question, badger and advocate for my child. It also helped me gain the expertise to help other families along the way.

1971 Lynnell Burkett joins the journalism faculty and advises The Ranger.

Fall 1974 The Ranger publication format changes from tabloid to broadsheet.

1976 The Ranger earns its first Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention. The Pacemaker is college journalism’s most prestigious prize for general excellence among college and university publications.

1978 The first Edith Fox King Journalism Lecture is held to honor the former journalism teacher and bring a Pulitzer Prize winner or other prominent journalist to campus.

1978 Eight maintenance workers blow the whistle on corruption at the district by taking their story to The Ranger, and two student journalists, Trent Everett and Richard Smith, spend six weeks reporting the story, “Maintenance men allege personnel, supplies misused.”

Their reporting resulted in indictments. S.A. Magazine publishes an article on The Ranger for breaking that story and confirms the value of a good student newspaper to a college and community.

Jim Dalglish 1975 San Antonio When I was in East Texas, I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor, but I was covering the KKK. When I covered teachers’ unions, I was all riled up about how poorly they were paid, until I realized they were making twice what I was and working nine months. I drove an old jalopy and lived with rats, while country boys from the sticks, many of whom didn’t even have a high school diploma, drove around in big, new trucks and were buying homes. They had gone to work for the oil and chemical companies. But I was gonna save the world.

1981 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1983 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1983 The Ranger brings paste-up “in house” with students producing camera-ready pages for off-campus printing 1984 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1985 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

Summer 1985 The first Urban Journalism Workshop for High School Students is held in conjunction with Dow Jones News Fund and local newspapers as a community service and recruiting vehicle, and the first issue of You S.A. is published.

1987 The first Fourth Write magazine is produced on Macintosh.

1986 Student publication board begins Fall 1987 Marianne Odom joins the journalism faculty as a full-time adjunct and advises The Ranger.

19 The Ranger ea at the Assoc Press nationa

1988 The Society of Pr Journalists names T the best collegiate ly newspaper in th States, the first c college newspaper top award.

al issue

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April 25, 2016 • 5

2016 In a re-alignment of departments, the journalism and photography programs join English, humanities, EDUC 1301 and 2301, teacher education, Mexican-American studies and the integrated reading and writing developmental courses in a new department beginning in fall 2016.

2014 Former Ranger staffer Teresa Talerico joins the journalism faculty as a full-time adjunct and helps advise the Ranger.

2015 The Ranger is a finalist for the Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

2010 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

Fall 2011 The Ranger front page returns to a news format.

2014 The Ranger Online creates and hosts its own website using Wordpress.

Jan. 31, 2011 The Ranger changes from Friday to Monday publication.

David Martin Davies 1987-1988 San Antonio There is no doubt that the first day I set foot in The Ranger newsroom was a turning point in my life. I was instructed, fostered, corrected, nurtured and cheered on at The Ranger.

There is no other education institution in San Antonio that can duplicate this service to the community.

o could even cia, Irene and d me into the ne I am today.

vo

2010 The Ranger Online is a finalist for the Online Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

Fall 2009 The Ranger publication format changes to a news magazine.

2009 The journalism and photography programs join radio-televisionbroadcasting, music business, and communication design to form the media communications department.

2006 Chester F. “Chet” Hunt retires as chair of the journalism-photography department after 28 years.

Fall 2005 The Ranger format changes from broadsheet to tabloid.

2005 Yuk-kwong “Edmund” Lo joins the journalism faculty to teach photojournalism and help advise The Ranger.

tonio bout journalianne Odom, uchhorn and r. Everything r set me up my own publication, Edible San

Spring 2004 The Ranger begins Source Awards, which allows the staff at the end of each semester to vote on their best sources and honor them with a reception.

atrick Bean

2002, 2003, 2004 The Ranger is named best Nondaily Newspaper in Texas by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors.

0-1993 San Antonio iggest takeaway from ger was confidence. I ng, and the excellent s and veteran reported me talent I didn’t arned the kind of clear, rves me well to this day.

2001 The Ranger is named best Nondaily Newspaper in Texas by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors.

Joseph M. de Leon

2000 Jerry Townsend rejoins the journalism and photography faculty as a full-time adjunct.

2004-2006 Austin Working for The Ranger gave me the skills and confidence to be able to visit any city and earn a job with the local paper. I did that in Frederick, Maryland; Seattle; and Austin. Irene, Tricia and Marianne changed my life. I’m so grateful.

1998 Jerry Townsend retires from this college after 21 years.

1998 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

Julysa Sosa

Adrian C. Zamarron

2010 San Antonio After graduating from San Antonio College, I went on to finish my bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I left The Ranger with a loaded portfolio of images and stories, and entered the advanced UNC journalism classes with ease. The program is rigorous and consumes your everyday life, but it is set up for its students to succeed. I will be forever grateful to my teachers who never stopped pushing me (I still hear Dr. Lo’s voice every time I’m out on assignment), and am proud to be a part of the growing Ranger family.

988 arns a Pacemaker ciated Collegiate al convention.

rofessional The Ranger e non-daihe United community to win the

1990 The Ranger is awarded a Pacemaker for the Southwest Region at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1988 The Ranger becomes an all-Macintosh newsroom Fall 1990 Marianne Odom is hired as a tenure-track journalism instructor.

1989-1991 Dayton, Ohio The Ranger is family and it has kept me close from the day I arrived to this very moment. Take away all the other stuff and that is still enough to have pushed to where I am today: Digging in each day and making newspapers with the kind of stubborn demeanor developed only after some time at The Ranger.

1991 The Fourth Write magazine begins to publish once a year.

1991 The Ranger is awarded a Pacemaker for the Southwest Region at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1992 The Fourth Write is named Best Collegiate Magazine in the nation by the Society of Professional Journalists.

Oct. 6, 1992 The Ranger becomes the first community college newspaper to have its own SPJ student chapter. The national president visits the college to conduct the first induction ceremony.

1992 The Ranger is awarded a Pacemaker for the Southwest Region at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

1993 The Ranger is a finalist for the Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

1993 The student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is named the best student chapter in the country, partially because of its work with the Urban Journalism Workshop.

1997 The Ranger is a finalist for the Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

1996 The Ranger is named the Best Non-daily Newspaper in Texas by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, the first community college newspaper chosen by this organization of newspaper editors.

February 1995 Tricia Buchhorn and Irene Abrego join the department as advisers.

April 13, 1995 Tremors felt at this college caused by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in West Texas interrupt Ranger production when campus police order staff to evacuate Loftin. The staff regroups outside and covers the unprecedented campus evacuation.

The next day, Good Friday, officials allow staffers back in the newsroom to finish the week’s edition.

2009 The Ranger Online is a national finalist for the Best Affiliated Web Site for 2-year/Community College newspaper by the Society of Professional Journalists.

2007 The Ranger Online earns an Online Pacemaker Award at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

2005 The Ranger is a finalist for the Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

2005 The Ranger Online earns its first Online Pacemaker Award at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

March 30, 2004 The Ranger sponsors its first Chalk Day during National Newspaper Week, a campuswide event to encourage appreciation of the right to free speech.

2004 The Ranger earns a Pacemaker at the Associated Collegiate Press national convention.

2003 Staff photographers are equipped with digital cameras.

Sept. 11, 2001 Even though the college dismisses classes and closes the campus mid-morning, The Ranger staff goes into action and produces a four-page wrap-around section for the semester’s first issue on the 9-11 terrorism, and for many students, this is their first story assignment in journalism classes.

1999 The Ranger is a finalist for the Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press.

1998 The Ranger is named best student Non-daily Newspaper in Texas by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors.

Spring 1997 The Ranger first publishes online.

1996 The Ranger is awarded a Pacemaker from the Associated Collegiate Press at its national convention.

1996 The Ranger is inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame.

1996 Former Ranger editor Irene Abrego joins the journalism faculty and helps advise The Ranger.

June 17, 1995 W.B. “Dub” Daugherty dies from complications of AIDS at 52 after teaching journalism at this college for 26 years.

April 18, 1995 Photos were scanned and incorporated digitally into The Ranger.

6 • April 25, 2016

Special issue

www.theranger.org/news

Ranger’s print future uncertain President suggests mobile access to the newspaper via an app.

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

For years people across the U.S. have started their day with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper.

However, as time marches on and technology continues to evolve, the days of a physical ink-on-paper news publication are numbered as the news industry transitions to online only.

The Ranger is no exception to this trend.

Rick Casey, host of “Texas Week’”on KLRN, expects The Ranger to go the same route as many other newspapers.

“I don’t know much about the future of The Ranger, but I hope it matches the past,” Casey said. “I expect it to go the same way other newspapers go, and none of us are quite sure where that is going to go.”

Casey said he expects newspapers to go to an online subscription model for news.

He thinks it would be challenging to implement the model since people have been trained to believe online news should be free, but believes there will always be support for quality journalism.

“I think there is an audience for good, trustworthy journalism, and I think there always will be,” Casey said.

“There are enough people willing to support it. It may be a minority, but it’s a substantial minority.”

Media communications Chair Marianne Odom doesn’t see The Ranger ever charging for the news, fearing it would limit the access of information it provides to the Alamo Colleges community.

She does, however, anticipate the student activities fee will eventually help fund The Ranger because of its important service to the community.

In the 1930s, The Ranger received funds from a similar fee for extracurricular activities called a blanket tax.

Students were encouraged to pay the tax, but not required.

President Robert Vela hopes the Ranger continues its ser-

vice to the community, even if that may not include a print edition.

“The newspaper to me is a pillar of excellence at SAC. It really is what makes SAC unique among other colleges, and The Ranger has had such an excellent track record of success,” Vela said. “I really see the paper continuing what it’s always done, is providing a service to our community, our students, our staff and faculty.”

He continued, “I think one thing that any other newspaper is struggling with is how do you stay relevant to getting things to students in the community, and I think all newspapers are struggling with that.”

Vela said he wonders how The Ranger stays relevant in the digital age. “Is it a combination of online? Is it still print? I think that’s something that may change. How do you deliver it and how do you get it to people’s hands quickly?”

He suggested one option. “We may end up with an app or something, where folks can access it

quickly at their disposal and always how quickly the Alamo Colleges is stay current with it.” changing.

Vela prefers to read his news “There are so many changes in electronically, and while he doesn’t the college and the district, it seems struggle getting to the story he needs even more important for readers, the to read among the noise of what’s colleges and the community to have trending, he does know other people access to more information about struggle with that. what’s going on,” Odom said. “I also “I know there are some challeng- see more challenges because the es around printtrend now is for ing and cost and students to come I think there is is that what stuin knowing their an audience for dents really premajor and taking good, trustworthy fer? Those kinds only 60 hours and journalism, and I think of things we really then transferring. there always will be. have to look at,” “Very often Rick Casey, our most successVela said.

Texas Week host on KLRN “I can see how ful Ranger stuit can be a chaldents have taken lenge for some, because I want to more than the minimum requireget to the story I want to read, and if ment of journalism courses and you’re struggling with it, that’s frus- they’ve often stayed an extra semestrating. So you want to see the print ter to pursue photojournalism or version, and I think that’s a real kind have enough time to be an editor; of thing for some people,” Vela said. that can still happen, but it’s not as Odom sees the role of The Ranger encouraged as it once was.” as more important than ever given Odom agrees with Casey and

’’

Juan Carlos Campos

Vela in eventually seeing The Ranger going completely online.

“At some point, I foresee not having a print Ranger. It takes an inordinate amount of time, although producing a quality digital-only publication also takes a lot of time,” Odom said. “On the other hand, I love newspapers, I always have, and it would be really traumatic if the print version went away.

“The way the industry is going, at some point, we probably won’t (print),” Odom said.

“The competition would be tremendous,” Odom said. “I definitely think we could get an app so students could easily get it on their phones. You can get it now, but it’s not as easy, but we would definitely have to have that. I think we would have to work a lot harder at getting The Ranger integrated in student development classes, used more frequently in English classes.”

Odom said she would like to see a “Welcome to The Ranger” screen in student labs.

“Obviously that hasn’t happened, but I think we would have to work really hard at better promotion if that happened,” Odom said.

“If people don’t read it, you don’t get feedback,” Odom said. “The wonderful thing about actually publishing … you get the public reaction. You’re responsible if you make a mistake and you hear about it. Once you put information out there, sources come forward, so it improves your ability to do more in-depth reporting. There really is no substitution for having things published, but saying that, you have to have people read what you’ve published.”

Odom sees opportunities to expand, as the learning outcomes for COMM 2311, Media Writing, now require multiple writing formats including radio and television.

“There are a lot of opportunities to expand what students are learning, but I would also really hate not to have a print version,” Odom said.

“However The Ranger gets to readers, it still takes time and money to produce a quality product. The amount of time spent working with each student on each assignment remains the same.”

www.theranger.org/news

Special Issue

Memorable Ranger stories

A

s we stop to celebrate 90 years of The Ranger, advisers began to think back to some of our favorite stories. We thought we would put together a Top 10 list, but 10 wasn’t nearly enough.

Here they are in no particular order: “‘We are not giving the district 60 acres’”

by Laura Jesse Oct. 20, 2000, revealed the district had been hoodwinked and did not have land for a Northeast Side college.

“Indictments” by John Lauricella Oct. 25, 2002, detailed the charges of organized crime and bribery indictments against three trustees.

“Maintenance men allege personnel, supplies misused” by Trent Everett and Richard Smith April 14, 1978, told of district employees working at a trustee’s home during work hours. This incident led to creation of the district’s personal use policy and the eventual conviction of a trustee for embezzlement.

“Report goes to DA; Interim chancellor accused of personal use violation” by John Lauricella Feb. 21, 2003, was déjà vu all over again when the interim chancellor bought plants tax free through the district and had them planted at his home.

“Misuse led to policy” by Emily Foley Feb. 28, 2003, recounts the history of the 1978 incident that led to the district’s personal use policy.

“90%-plus no confidence” by Vanessa M. Sanchez and Jason Hogan Sept. 18, 2009, reported on a districtwide vote of no confidence in the chancellor. Of course, that prompted trustees to give the chancellor a pay raise.

“Student life director demands payment for interviews” by J. Almendarez and Joshua Fechter Nov. 7, 2011, detailed the director of student life backpedaling through excuses after asking to be paid for an interview with The Ranger. The story reached a national audience through Gawker and Huffington Post and earned a Bum Steer from Texas Monthly.

“Chancellor envisions district headquarters as ‘Playland’” by J. Almendarez Oct. 3, 2008, in which the chancellor sees the former amusement park as a new district headquarters complete with retail and some top programs like culinary arts and massage therapy on site.

“Former district official pleads guilty to theft” by Angela Covo Feb. 18, 2005, reported on payments to family members including an infant grandson that led to jail time. The official also had to make restitution for almost $900,000.

“Missing funds spark Koehler investigation” by Laura Jesse Oct. 4, 1996, also profiled missing money, this time from rental of the Koehler Cultural Center.

“You’ve got to be kidding” by Raul Ambrose, Edmond Ortiz and Kin Man Hui April 18, 1995, spot news reporting on a 5.4 earthquake that shook campus, which sits on the Balcones Fault.

“Retirement gag order illegal, professor says” on retirees by J. Almendarez Sept.

26, 2011, gave old-timers a hefty early retirement package in exchange for their silence when it came to negatives about the district.

“Disabled Student Injured” by Elaine

Aradillas Sept. 10, 1993, brought The Ranger heavy criticism for a photograph of a student in a wheelchair who fell from the second floor of Moody Learning Center, but in the best newspaper tradition we covered it to prevent it from happening again.

“Assistant director of utilities unqualified” by Karen Littleton Dec. 1, 1989, reported on The Ranger uncovering missing credentials of the engineer who was not an engineer and resulted in the resignations of an architect and physical plant director.

“Police chief fails to meet certification requirements” by Adrian C. Zamarron March 1, 1991, revealed the chief was not licensed in Texas.

“District gives widow the boot” by Larissa Robinson Oct. 21, 2005, covered the district’s acquisition of a home by imminent domain to make way for NE Lakeview.

“Trustee goes to court on assault charges” by Christopher Quinn March 5, 1998, reported on a domestic violence situation.

“Chemistry professor sues district for more” by Angela Covo Sept. 9, 2005, relates the five-year saga of a professor dismissed for sexual harassment who sued the district twice for not following its own firing policies. After winning a $150,000 settlement, he wanted reinstatement of his job and $650,000.

“NE Lakeview librarian fatally shot Monday” by Renny Murrell, Natalie Olivares and Brianna Roberts Oct. 17, 2008, reported on the shooting by a part-time library employee.

April 25, 2016 • 7

Seeking readers, tips

By C.J. Tavera

ranger@alamo.edu

If you want to keep up with what’s happening and what’s important around this college and the district, The Ranger is your all-access pass.

Students and faculty can pick up a free copy of The Ranger on Mondays during fall and spring semesters at 26 newsstands around campus.

Beyond the news, each issue includes SAConnected with an events calendar, the Premiere section with information on upcoming arts and entertainment events, and an editorial section.

“Our priority is to inform. We are not telling people what to think,” editor Kyle R. Cotton said.

The Ranger recently won awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention in Dallas, including first place for best online community engagement.

The Ranger Online, where news is updated daily, is available at theranger.org. Not only can you read the most recent stories, you can comment, share and interact.

Maura J. Callahan, former social media manager and Texas State University public relations senior, said, “The Ranger has been a foundation for the school for so long. It is not an ending for the age of print; rather it is a growth of colonization of news through social media. The Ranger is at the forefront of that.”

Callahan was a strategic part of promoting online content for The Ranger during her tenure at the paper, including bringing The Ranger’s Facebook likes to 1,000.

To access more ways to stay connected online, like and follow The Ranger on Facebook @ReadTheRanger and follow on Twitter @TheRangerSAC. In addition, access video on YouTube @therangervideo.

The Ranger also provides a contemporaneous historical record. The library provides a searchable database of Ranger issues from 1926 to present. The Ranger Archives is accessible to the public at http://sacweb03.sac.alamo. edu/eLibrary/RangerImageCollection.aspx. The journalism program and the library also keep bound volumes.

The Ranger is always looking for news tips.

When you see a newsworthy event on campus or in the community, call The Ranger newsroom at 210-486-1773 or email sac-ranger@alamo.edu.

8 • April 25, 2016

www.theranger.org/editorial

.org

the

ranger

Opinion

Editor Kyle R. Cotton Managing Editor Mandy Derfler Assistant Managing Editor – Features Wally Perez Staff Writers R. Eguia, Rebecca Nicole Flores, Tim Hernandez, Jerico Magallanes, C.J. Tavera Photographers Brandon A. Edwards, Raffy Gubser, Aly Miranda, Vince Reyna Illustrators 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 78212-3941.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

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

The Ranger is published Fridays 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 upon request by phone (210-486-1765) 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.

Alexandra Nelipa

Stay connected; Taken for a ride read The Ranger It’s not uncommon for students or the community to be caught staring at a phone screen several times a day. Popular social media and phone apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, which allow users to see and share information with the world and one another, have become a part of people’s daily routines.

Students and faculty may spend a lot of time on their phones reading or viewing things that may not necessarily be important. In a sense, it’s a way for people to disconnect from reality for a moment.

But it’s important to reconnect, too.

Nowadays, it’s relatively easy to follow news sources on Twitter or Facebook, including this college’s student newspaper. You can like The Ranger on Facebook and Twitter to receive updates every day.

The Ranger includes content that concerns students, staff and faculty, so readers can stay connected to their campus.

You should read The Ranger to keep up with news here or within the Alamo Colleges. Otherwise, you may be missing out on important issues.

Some students might argue they are aware of state or nation-

al news, but that’s because it’s hard to miss those headlines and alerts. They may not have any idea about something smaller, like the recent water leak in McCreless Hall, or a proposal to raise tuition.

The Ranger is not just a source for hard news either; every week there’s a calendar with events at all five Alamo Colleges, as well as weekly club meetings.

If you read The Ranger, you can stay up to date with things like new programs, clubs and organizations, volunteer opportunities, campus maintenance and more.

Staying informed may also help readers understand why a course is no longer offered, or if something is being done about facility problems on campus.

It takes less than a minute to peruse news on Twitter. Doing so makes you better informed on what’s going on locally and around the world.

If students don’t feel like picking up a paper every week, the least they could do is follow The Ranger or other news outlets on social media.

By doing so, students can easily add the news to their routine if they’re going to be checking their accounts anyway.

And in no time, reading the news will be as habitual as checking your Facebook.

In recent history, there have been many horrifying stories of police interactions with African-Americans.

Most of those stories don’t end well.

It wasn’t until March 31 that I gained a sense of hope for law enforcement.

Viewpoint by Growing up a black man in Brandon A. America can be frightening, Edwards which is why we seldom seek sac-ranger@alamo.edu the help of police.

On March 31, my partner Mandy — I call her “Mellifluous” — and I needed assistance.

We were entered in a two-person photo essay competition at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association 2016, walking through the heart of downtown Dallas in search of anything of substance for our photo assignment, “The sounds of the city.”

After 45 minutes of walking, we arrived at Klyde Warren Park, a photographer’s goldmine. There was a live jazz band, kids playing in the water, laughter and conversation, people chasing their pets and the aromas of Thai, Korean and American-style food trucks. It was perfect. However, 10 teams were already canvassing the park.

Mellifluous and I looked at each other and decided to continue our search. We came across a police officer; we will call him “Mr. Officer.”

Mellifluous approached him to inquire about other events going on in the area.

“It’s a slow evening, I’ll take you to a place,” he said. My initial reaction was to turn and go the other direction, and had I been alone I would not have accepted his offer of a ride to a “place.”

However, I was with Mellifluous, so what was the worst that could happen? We hopped in the patrol car, he reported the trip to dispatch and began driving around.

It was the first time I had ever been in a police car

and for a positive reason; I am not a trouble maker.

Mr. Officer gave us a nice tour of the downtown area, showing us Reunion Tower, the Sixth Floor museum of the JFK assassination, the Big Green Giant, West End Station and “the $80 million bridge to nowhere,” all while telling his life story.

As the ride continued, I became less nervous.

He actually went to this college for a semester before joining the military. He retired from the service to go into law enforcement. So many interesting things came out of this simple interaction.

At the end of our 20-minute tour through downtown, he pulled up to the corner of Elm and Houston Street. He said, “Thanks for listening to my story, and sorry if the tour didn’t really help you out much. I know you all were looking for people and I showed you landmarks and other buildings.

You’re a good guy and good luck to you.”

We were on our way. Needless to say, when we exited the vehicle we had 45 minutes to finish our assignment and had no idea what we were going to cover.

Mellifluous pointed out a woman walking out of a nearby store. She looked confused at the sight of me in the front seat of the squad car and Mellifluous in the back. She just smiled at the woman as we passed by.

We didn’t win that competition, but what I did gain from this experience is that not every police officer is looking to incriminate African-Americans.

Most officers just want to offer help. He told me “people think all officers enjoy chasing down bad guys, when we really just want to enjoy a nice cup of joe. When people act out, it makes us work.”

Every other experience with police I’ve had was because I “looked suspicious.”

I don’t judge anyone; who am I to judge? I am not saying that I will happily walk up to a police officer and ask for help every time, but Mr. Officer gave me a sense of hope about America’s law enforcement. The world could use more law enforcement like Mr. Officer.

Election special

April 25, 2016 • 1

Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 elections May 7. Early voting starts today.

Four Alamo Colleges trustee positions up for election Races in Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 to determine district’s future.

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

Every two years the Alamo Colleges board of trustees has three of nine positions up for election; however, the May 7 election will have four races, which could give Bexar County voters an opportunity to change the direction of the board if they so choose.

“Any policies that are made that affect students or employees, whether they be staff or faculty, emanate from the board,” political science Professor Christy WoodwardKaupert said. “The chancellor, whether you like him or dislike him, he is a creature of the board. He is hired and retained based upon their decisions. Those are things that matter.”

Woodward-Kaupert said while this is a unique opportunity for San Antonio to change the direction of the board, the issue will be voter turnout.

“The problem is — especially when you get down to the local level — not only do you not see a lot of competition in the race, there is not a lot of participation by voters either,” she said. “You are looking at seats that can literally be won or lost with as few as 1,000 (or) 2,000, and that’s sad.”

Kaupert said.

“It doesn’t have to be that way, Woodward-Kaupert encourages but unfortunately that’s sort of the students to be involved in state and understanding that we have regardlocal elections. ing explanations as to why voter “The national level is such a train turnout is so low.” wreck,” Woodward-Kaupert said.

Woodward-Kaupert said the key “State and local to winning a are so much local election The chancellor, whether more imporlike this is makyou like him or dislike tant, particuing sure candihim, he is a creature of larly when you dates have supthe board. He is hired view it from the port at the polls. and retained based upon perspective, ‘the “If you can closer the govwalk people to their decisions. Those ernment is to the polls, remind are things that matter. your wallet, the Christy Woodward-Kaupert, them to go vote, more attention send them litpolitical science professor you need to pay erature where to it.’ to go vote, what “Often, that is not the case when day to go vote, and encouraging you look at voter turnout data,” she them to go early vote, these are all said. things we know will increase voter Historically, voters in the south- turnout,” she said. “Again you’re ern half of the county, areas covered dealing with an election that typicalby District 1 through 4, show low ly the only people that are engaged voter turnout in local elections. in the election are faculty, staff and “When you are dealing with low the immediate friends, family and levels of educational attainment, neighbors of the people running for high poverty, young population, office.” minority population, which pretWoodward-Kaupert said it’s ty much characterizes the bulk of unfortunate that only an engaged everything south of SAC — certainly few are involved in these elections to the East Side and to some degree when a lot of people who pay Alamo the West Side — you are going to Colleges taxes are not casting their see low levels of voter turnout as a votes. result of those factors,” Woodward“Certainly, we would be better

’’

off if we had candidates with some experience with higher education,” she said. “It’s one thing to understand and have business acumen; it’s a completely different thing to understand the needs and wants of students outside of what’s sometimes the most cost-effective path for the organization to take.”

Woodward-Kaupert said the major issues facing the board today are the same ones that have been around for sometime, such as employee morale and communication by the leadership.

“To some extent the board, for better or for worse, … (is) disengaged from the functioning of the college environment,” she said.

Woodward-Kaupert cited a political adage that discourages “yes-men

all around the table” and said some trustees only take recommendations from district and college administrators.

“I think that’s unfortunate that they lose sight of the day-to-day operations of the colleges as a result,” she said.

“I don’t know what new challenges they are going to face because it’s Texas, it’s the same dance, different song,” Woodward-Kaupert said.

“We see these problem emerge and a Band-Aid is slapped on it, and a temporary fix is provided and the next session, the problems creep back up again.”

The Alamo Colleges’ election is in conjunction with other Bexar County city and school district elections May 7.

Elections are May 7.

For a map and list of early voting locations, visit http://elections.bexar.org.

To find out what district you live in and who represents you, visit http://map.bexar.org/community.

District 1

District 1

Marketing consultant, 68

Artist, 64

210-863-9500; jvajr711@aol.com

adanhernandez@gmail.com

Joe Alderate

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

District 1 incumbent Joe Alderate has served on the board of trustees since June 2010 and has been chair of the Student Success Committee and believes the Alamo Colleges’ success during his term calls for him to continue on the board.

“My past six years of experience have shown during my time on the board a great number of changes have positively affected the Alamo Colleges. One was keeping our focus on graduates and people who receive licensing and certification,” Alderate said. “It’s there, the numbers are there; from 3,000 and change to 9,800 in May 2014. That’s a very simple score card to evaluate it by.”

Alderate said the increased graduation rate puts the Alamo Colleges at No. 2 in the state behind Dallas Community College District.

Alderate is hopeful that following the evaluation of the number of graduates in 2015, the Alamo Colleges will be first in the state and move toward being first in the country in number of graduates.

“That is our mission, to be the best in the nation,” Alderate said. “We are now in the direction we need to be in order to be the most successful in the nation.”

Alderate also said that since his time on the board, the Alamo Colleges have saved $100 million through budgeting. He said those savings gave Alamo Colleges the flexibility to implement initiatives like AlamoAdvise, Alamo

Institutes and FranklinCovey.

“That money we managed to save gave us the chance to apply it to other endeavors. It’s not just the Covey endeavor; it’s other initiatives,” Alderate said. He said he doesn’t view Covey as an unwise investment — even though he admits there has been some resistance to it from faculty.

A tabled policy still being considered would not allow students and faculty to speak at citizens-to-be-heard unless they “exhaust all administrative options.”

“Any faculty member, any student can speak to any board member at any time,” he said. “Now, it may not be at that formal board meeting, but it can be at any discussion with a board member because we are elected officials. So the access to board members has not been eliminated.”

Alderate said he believes the Alamo Colleges should stay affordable and maintain its status as one of the low-cost community colleges in the state.

“I have voted against every single tuition rate increase that has happened. I have voted against every single tax increase that has been presented to the board,” he said.

Alderate voted for a tax increase in 2012, but clarified his statement saying he opposed the increases at the committee level and tried to find alternative forms of funding.

“I would be denying the colleges the funding they need when it comes to the budget,” Alderate said.

!

Early voting is 8 a.m.-6 p.m. today-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. May 2-3.

Adan Hernandez

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

As an artist in San Antonio for 30 years, Adan Hernandez is running for the Alamo Colleges District 1 position in hopes of providing more opportunities to the West Side, or as he calls it, “the barrio.”

“I’m new to this. I’ve only heard small tidbits but enough to know people like me need to be on the board because I care about the community, I genuinely care,” Hernandez said. “I’m not looking out for my self-interest or my petty career. I’m genuinely interested in the students’ well being and their careers and future. That’s why I’m running.”

“That is a big difference from some members there right now who have all this power, including the chancellor,” Hernandez said.

He believes he is qualified to serve on the Alamo Colleges’ board of trustees because he has worked extensively to help troubled West Side youth.

“I’ve been caring about my community, and my record shows as an artist I’ve been giving slideshows and lectures at all the high schools and middle schools in the barrio for years, since 1993, on my own dime,” he said. “I do not charge to go and lecture to some of the hardest high schools who have these little gang member wannabes … They turn to putty in my hands after I’m through with them.”

“I’m a different kind of candidate because I give a damn,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez does not support the board’s

recent consideration of policies that discourage interaction among the board, students and faculty, including a policy that would prevent faculty and students from speaking at citizensto-be-heard without “exhausting all administrative options.”

“It’s just dumb,” Hernandez said. “The students need to be heard. How else do you know what their needs are if you don’t hear it from the horses’ mouth?”

Hernandez also stressed the importance of a liberal arts education. “I’ve been an artist for 35 years and I’ve gone to all the high schools in the barrio and there is no art education at all,” Hernandez said. “That is so stupid, because these kids, a lot of them in the barrio, have to deal … with the poverty stricken areas, the broken homes, the broken families.”

“Art is such a great therapeutic outlet, and then they cut that,” Hernandez said. “It’s obviously done by people who don’t care about the well being of these children.”

“You go on down the line, elementary, middle school, high school, they obviously don’t care about them having some kind of release of their pent-up frustration,” he said. “Art is a great therapy, it’s better than psychiatry — I think psychiatrists are (more) dangerous than anything for people.”

“I would really push to have liberal arts, really, really, emphasized, especially in the barrio,” Hernandez said. “Nobody else needs it more than the barrio and they’re the ones who get them cut.”

Election

2 • www.theranger.org/news

District 2

District 2

Educator, 40

Natural sciences adjunct, 45

elmoaycock@yahoo.com • 210-328-4755

pdeadrick@alamo.edu

Elmo Murry Aycock III

By Wally Perez

gperez239@student.alamo.edu

District 2 candidate Elmo Murry Aycock III is no stranger to a political setting as he was once City Council aide to Mario Salas, which taught him how a political leader is supposed to administer a political jurisdiction.

He has a bachelor’s degree in social studies with an emphasis on political science from Our Lady of the Lake University.

He said his education, along with his experience as a teacher, has helped him understand the needs of students, staff and faculty.

Their voice is one of the most important things, Aycock said.

He wants to improve communication between trustees and faculty by being an open board member.

“I want my door to not even exist; I want open doors,” he said. “I want everybody, regardless if they’re in my district or not, to be able to come to me and tell me their problems or ideas.”

Aycock said he’s a person of action.

He’s going to reach out to students or faculty and ask questions so he can stay involved.

It’s unconstitutional for the board of trustees to implement a policy that would prevent students and faculty from speaking during meetings, he said.

“I fought in the Marine Corps. I’ve had friends die for America; I’ll be darned if a college district board takes the freedoms of American citizens that my friends fought for

and died for,” he said.

With the Alamo Colleges board pushing more toward workforce certificate programs than funding for liberal arts degree programs, Aycock said there should be an equal push for both.

“You can have both; we need to develop the academic programs more rigorously at the Alamo Colleges,” he said. “There is no ‘either or’; both certificates and degrees are important.”

If bachelor’s degrees can be offered at the Alamo Colleges, Aycock is all for it, but his focus is on the associate degrees and certificates currently offered.

Keeping classes affordable is also important to him. The budget needs to reflect the values of the district’s residents, he said.

“We need to cut out any unnecessary building projects, or unnecessary projects in general, and put it into financial aid and scholarships,” he said.

Money should be spent on student’s first, and then faculty.

He said he doesn’t support spending almost $2 million over the next four years on FranklinCovey’s “7 Habits of highly effective people” and “4 Disciplines of Execution”.

“We need to spend it on making things better for students and faculty, not on a program that is out of the needs of the students,” he said.

“There’s one reason I’m the best candidate,” he said. “I’m here to serve, not to be served.”

Marc Deadrick

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

Marc Deadrick, natural sciences full-time adjunct, is running in hopes of making trustees more aware of the concerns of faculty.

Deadrick said he can bring faculty’s perspective to the board. Deadrick has taught biology at this college since 2010.

“I care a lot about the school and the Alamo Colleges, in particular SAC, and I just think it would be helpful to bring a little bit more perspective from students and faculty into some of the meetings that take place outside of the open sessions,” he said.

Deadrick said he doesn’t understand why recent board policy and action have been so closed to interaction with faculty and students.

“My approach would be to try and encourage board members to become a little more hands-on to have a better understanding of daily operation and to understand what forces are at work in regards to the policy the board is implementing,” he said.

He understands why the board enacted the policies that limit interaction with individual trustees and is currently considering a tabled policy that requires faculty and students to “exhaust all administrative options” before going to the board in special session prior to the citizens-to-be-heard portion of meetings.

Deadrick fears having such a policy could create a chilling effect when it comes to the Alamo Colleges and faculty and students petitioning their grievances.

“I understand how in some cases that can

slow down a board meeting, but that shouldn’t be used as a way of discouraging communication from faculty, students or staff to board members,” Deadrick said. “I think understanding what’s going on in daily operations is the best way of crafting a better policy.

“If I were elected trustee I would encourage first person perspective and try to figure out what changes could be made at the monthly board meetings to encourage more input,” he said.

Deadrick does not support the district spending an additional $2 million over the next four years on FranklinCovey programs.

“As a faculty member, I find the utility of it minimal at best,” Deadrick said. “It adds time to my daily tasks and takes me away from my core tasks I see myself needing to perform, which is providing education to students and being available to them.

“Faculty has expressed this at many different meetings and many different levels; if the job is to make sure we are communicating better, this just isn’t it.”

Deadrick said while he believes workforce and liberal arts programs are both important, the role of college should be an institution of learning where students can find themselves.

This belief extends to the Alamo Colleges’ two latest initiatives AlamoInstitutes and AlamoAdvise.

“Making it more user-friendly from the student perspective is the name of the game with both those areas, so a student can chart their path and navigate through their studies.”

District 2

District 2

Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, 72

Retired educator, 65

dmcclendon2@alamo.edu

sandoval3247891@gmail.com

Denver McClendon

By Kyle R. Cotton

kcotton11@student.alamo.edu

For the last 13 years District 2 incumbent, Denver McClendon served on the Alamo Colleges’ board of trustee and believes his experience and commitment to the vision of the Alamo Colleges make him the best person to represent his district.

“I’ve been on the board for quite some time, and I think I see the vision of the Alamo Colleges,” he said. “Our goal is to be the best community college in the nation, and if you look at our accomplishments for the past few years, you can see that we are moving toward that and I don’t want that progress to stop.”

“I feel my involvement with the board will assist that progress,” he said.

Recently, the board passed policies discouraging students and faculty from interacting with individual trustees.

A policy that did not pass but is still being considered requires students and faculty to “exhaust all administrative options” before approaching the board with concerns.

McClendon, Policy and Long-Range Planning Committee chair, said it isn’t the policy’s intent.

“We do not discourage interaction with the faculty as a board of trustees,” he said. “We have one employee, the chancellor, and we encourage employees, faculty and staff to go through the chancellor because that’s the only person we have direct control over. One of our concerns was that there could be allegations made at citizens-to-be-heard that are unfounded, and

by law we cannot respond to that.”

“As trustees, we sit there and listen, so we encourage faculty to try and resolve the issue within their college before coming to citizensto-be-heard. That’s not meant to cut them off.”

With the Alamo Colleges reporting that 55 percent of attending students are considered economically disadvantaged, McClendon said the Alamo Colleges is the best deal in the area.

“When you compare the Alamo Colleges to every other institution of higher learning in the area, we are significantly lower and our goal is to keep tuition low,” he said. “Right now, a fullload, 12-hours, runs around $900 a semester.

We would like to keep it that way.

“Many of our students are low income with financial aid and Pell grants helping to curve the cost,” McClendon said. “Another factor is that state only provides 25 percent of our funding. Ideally, that should be a third of our funding and there are many efforts to get the state to increase the percentage of funding for community colleges.

“We will work toward that effort with the goal of keeping community college tuition low,” McClendon said.

He also believes the programs from FranklinCovey — which the district will pay $2 million dollars for over the next four years — has given students a leg up when they enter the workforce.

“Yes, I would consider extending it,” McClendon said. “We are constantly evaluating what we are doing. If its proven effective do it, if not, do something else.”

Viviana Valdez Sandoval

By R. Eguia

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

District 2 candidate Viviana Valdez Sandoval believes she is the best candidate to represent her district because she will enhance collaboration of the trustees and students and faculty.

Sandoval began her teaching career in 1974 at Colegio Americano in Mexico City. She then spent 20 years coordinating and teaching English as a second language in East and South sides elementary schools of this city.

“Students and faculty will want to engage the district and its policies if they feel that their opinion is heard,” said Sandoval, who believes that the job of a trustee is to listen.

She said there is a need for both certificates and degrees and neither should be considered more important than the other because neither ensure higher wages.

Sandoval would like to see the district engage the community to encourage it to provide scholarships and support for economically disadvantaged students.

She said the community would ultimately benefit because it would be composed of informed citizens.

Sandoval said money spent on Franklin Covey could be used in a better way.

She has done the training before and said, “It is a lot of common sense one learns from being a good human being. I want the district to understand that Covey is a money-making agency that capitalizes on other people’s needs.”

She understands why a policy would be enacted to limit the citizens-to-be-heard portion of board meetings because she remembers irritated parents going straight to the board to complain.

She thinks a chain of command should be used so people’s concerns are directed to the appropriate parties before a complaint is made to the board.

“We encourage students from childhood to the classroom that they should speak up.

Citizens-to-be-heard should not be held back,” she said. “We want to be successful but that cannot happen if there is no dialogue.”

Faculty have a responsibility to be passionate about their subject and guide their students, but they have no influence over what happens to a student outside of the classroom.

Sandoval does not agree with the concealed carry on campus. She does not believe guns on a campus increase safety, and is uncomfortable approaching people with guns in public places.

She is afraid corporate partnerships would make campuses forget the real issues outside of money. She thinks bachelor degrees for the district would be wonderful, especially for technical fields that emphasize skills.

Sandoval wants to make sure students want the institute model. She talked about the nature of young college students who like to change their minds, majors and paths, and she worries that the institute model may be too rigid and not allow that kind flexibility and exploration.

n special

April 25, 2016 • 3

District 3

Anthony Alcoser Development director at UTSA, 34 210-846-3392

By C.J. Tavera

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

District 3 candidate Anthony John Alcoser believes in moving forward, and he believes it is the lack of communication by the current board that has caused a step backward.

“Communication between the board, students and faculty can open so many doors,” Alcoser said. “The more communication, the better.”

He said he is “extremely against suppressing freedom of speech” at the board meetings and “will stand by students whether elected or not.”

Alcoser wants to see an equal push between funding additional work certification programs versus more liberal arts programming.

He said the programs offered at the Alamo Colleges should provide a well-rounded education, while at the same time accommodating a student’s career needs in a desired field.

“The board shouldn’t make all of the decisions. It should be the students driving the decision for programs and program funding,” he said.

At the same time, Alcoser wants to see more collaboration with local businesses.

“The more collaboration with business, the more fruitful the student,” he said.

More workforce skills and programs are needed in industries such as cyber and HVAC. Working hand in hand with local business leaders for precise and more innovative programming is important, he said.

There are other programs such as

AlamoInstitutes and AlamoAdvise where Alcoser stands firmly on the belief that everyone needs to be part of the final spending and execution decisions to continue these programs.

This includes discipline programs like FranklinCovey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “4 Disciplines of Execution.”

Alcoser wants the implementation of these programs to be inclusive.

He does not support the way decisions are being made now — solely by the board.

“Create awareness (of these programs) to help drive support,” he said.

Alcoser said he wants to keep education affordable and he would examine eliminating administrative staff positions before increasing tuition costs.

Alcoser, who has a concealed carry license, said he is against firearms on campuses.

“It is a place for learning, not a place for firearms,” he said.

Alcoser said he is the best candidate for District 3 not because of his experience, but his passion to serve and a passion to do what’s best for students.

“I have a pulse of the district,” he said.

His ultimate focus would be to build a better communication grid so he can best serve students who seek higher education.

Alcoser is currently appointed to the city of San Antonio Housing Finance Corp. board, City Council District 3.

He also served as a board member at Harlandale ISD from May 2006–May 2015.

editorial Research candidates, then vote Four incumbents vie for seats on board of trustees.

whether students should pay higher tuition, whether students and faculty can speak during citizens-to-be-heard portions of public meetings, how faculty’s performance will be evaluated, whether to add to the additional $2 million spent over the next four years on FranklinCovey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “4 Disciplines of Execution,” and whether tax increases are enacted.

With four out of nine seats up for grabs, voters can decide to return incumbents to the board in a vote for the status quo or bring new voices on board.

Political science Professor Christy Woodward-Kaupert said seats can be filled with as few as 1,000 to 2,000 votes.

The 11 candidates for the four districts answer questions in this special edition after being interviewed about topics the district faces.

But do more than read about the candidates here.

Research them online; strike up conversations with friends and family to get their opinions; contact the candidates directly and ask questions.

Read past articles about board meetings and decisions at www.theranger. org and www.mysanantonio.com.

Get educated about the issues so the right candidate to represent you will clearly stand out.

Most important, get out to the polling places and vote.

Early voting starts today to elect trustees for Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the Alamo Colleges board.

It is imperative to get informed and make a trip to the polls during early voting or on Election Day May 7.

Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent the entirety of the South Side, the majority of the West Side and part of downtown and the East Side.

Candidates chosen to represent those districts will vote on issues and make decisions that will affect students, faculty and staff in the district’s five colleges for the next six years.

During that time, representatives of these districts will have a vote in

District 3

District 3

Educator, 58

Army National Guard specialist, 28

210-394-7352

831-915-8152

Anna Bustamante

By C.J. Tavera

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Anna Bustamante, a board member since 2008, is seeking re-election as District 3 trustee.

With the insight she has, the current board chair said she wants to keep an open dialogue with students and employees.

“Yes, we have seen bumps in the road, but it’s not about just one type of student. We need to meet the needs of all students in Bexar County,” she said.

Bustamante said there is room for strengthening communication between the board, faculty and students. She prefers an open forum and supports the current policy allowing a person to speak on the issues.

She said she refuses to even consider any policy that would prohibit anyone to be heard in public meetings.

“It doesn’t make sense,” she said, referring to a recent proposal to prohibit public comments during citizens to be heard unless the speaker has exhausted all options with administration.

Bustamante said she would follow the lead of the faculty to strengthen programs for workforce certification and liberal arts.

“We will continue to push for training, but liberal arts is also important,” she said.

Bustamante would continue funding for programs like FranklinCovey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Faculty are required to take Covey training and the training is also available to students.

She would also continue Alamo Initiatives and AlamoAdvise. The trustees were briefed on

the program’s success at the April 19 Student Success Committee meeting.

“AlamoAdvise is progressing well and a lot of success stories are coming out of it from students and their advisers,” she said.

Bustamante hopes to see continued progress of both programs.

She also wants to look at cost-effective ways to help students afford college, such as lowering textbook costs. She said she would rather ease their financial burden than increase tuition.

“I do not support any initiatives that raise tuition costs.”

However, she noted the board has limited choices because of a lack of state funding. She is positive there are other ways to keep costs minimized.

This is also part of the ongoing discussion regarding potential bachelor’s degree offerings at the college. She believes there are affordable options, but more details are needed to make any final decisions.

Bustamante also has concerns regarding the concealed carry law effective for two-year colleges in August 2017. She said the board received a briefing about the law at the Dec. 8 meeting from general counsel Ross Laughead.

“We are working on it,” she said.

Bustamante has taught music for 32 years at Southside High School, specializing in classical guitar, conjunto and mariachi. Bustamante said her focus is long-term.

“I want to continue supporting our students with the best opportunities to reach their education goals,” she said.

Joschua Harvey-Beres

By C.J. Tavera

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

District 3 candidate Joschua Kristofer Harvey-Beres is the youngest of three candidates seeking the trustee position, but he is a contender on campus issues.

Harvey-Beres said what makes him the best candidate for District 3 is his military background in the National Guard and Air Force.

He said he has a passion and dedication to help citizens improve their lives.

Harvey-Beres said it’s important for trustees to be available to engage directly with students and faculty, and suggests an open office policy to improve communication.

As a trustee, Harvey-Beres is interested in funding workforce certificate programs and liberal arts programs equally and keeping college education affordable.

“I would try to find a way to increase work opportunities for students while also increasing what the college can offer academically for students,” he said.

Harvey-Beres looks to the state for assistance in keeping the cost of college affordable.

“I plan to engage with several state legislators to see how we can get funding.”

He believes there are ways to get state funds allocated to continue offering quality classes at an affordable price.

He noticed several areas in this city that are in need of affordable education.

“A quality education is what helps you better serve your community.”

Having come from a lower-income family,

he knows firsthand what it’s like to struggle.

He has more tangible ideas on how to better use funds initially allocated for training and disciplinary programs.

For example, he would look at ways to support the student veteran population, helping them with costs for campus room and board, a topic raised during the recent groundbreaking of the campus’ new Victory Center that will serve the military student population.

Harvey-Beres does not agree with a policy that limits access to the citizens-to-be-heard sections of board meetings.

“The public has every right to have an influence on how the college is run,” he said. “This is a community college.”

Harvey-Beres is also not a fan of campus carry for the Alamo Colleges.

He supports a person’s Second Amendment right, but said, “Weapons do not belong in the classroom.”

How it is managed is important, he said.

Having a highly trained police force and a strategic plan in place is a must.

He wants to work with local businesses to ensure businesses are not trying to take advantage of their working relationship with the colleges.

He stressed the primary mission of this college system is to help students access higher education and prepare them for the real world.

“I don’t want to sit on a board where these businesses feel they have an advantage over the school because of helping with certain programs,” he said.

Election special

4 • April 25, 2016

www.theranger.org/news

District 4

District 4

Retired businessman, 68

Educator, 39

mcasillas45@alamo.edu • 210-710-6560

equity4accd@gmail.com • 210-526-1752

Marcelo S. Casillas

By Wally Perez

gperez239@student.alamo.edu

District 4 incumbent Marcelo Casillas has sat on the board of trustees for the last 13 years, and served on the South San Antonio School Board from 1990-1998 as president and vice president.

He said his experience on both boards has helped him understand that communication is a big part of things running smoothly.

“Retreats where faculty, staff and the board can speak at will without holding anything back is a start; we need to have those conversations,” Casillas said.

He said the retreats would be a good way for everyone to understand each other’s concerns and it’s the best way to go about improving communication between the trustees and faculty.

It’s important to listen to staff and faculty to improve programs like AlamoAdvise and AlamoInstitutes, he said “We can make suggestions, but we can’t demand,” Casillas said. “We have to let the system bring us the recommendations.”

Casillas said he is opposed to suspending the citizens-to-be-heard portion of board meetings, as they have the right to speak as long as it’s done in a professional manner.

Casillas said he does not want to increase tuition, but it’s up to the staff to give the trustees ideas on how to maintain the budget.

“Every penny counts, any $5 or $10 out of your pocket, that’s gas or book money you don’t want to be using with tuition increases

and things like that,” Casillas said.

He’s hopeful the state will provide more funds to sustain programs at the Alamo Colleges.

Casillas is on the fence about FranklinCovey and the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” because he needs to look closer at results.

“I want to see actual numbers of what benefits it’s provided,” Casillas said. “It means we have to stop spending future dollars on Covey if we don’t see the statistics on how it’s beneficial.”

Regarding faculty being responsible for students dropping courses, which lowers productive grade rates, Casillas said the Alamo Colleges can’t hold faculty totally responsible.

“Unless the record shows that a lot of students drop their class in particular, it’s the responsibility of the students to pursue their education,” he said.

He also doesn’t believe that concealed carry on community college campuses is reasonable.

“I don’t think it’s the right thing to do; to me it’s very dangerous to have them on campus,” he said. “I couldn’t tell you how it should be handled personally.”

A lot of research is needed to see how campus carry should be addressed, he said.

Casillas said he’s the best candidate for District 4 because of his experience.

“I’ve had productive years on the board, programs have been implemented and the students are improving graduation rates,” Casillas said.

Phillip “Felipe” Vargas

By Wally Perez

gperez239@student.alamo.edu

District 4 trustee candidate Phillip “Felipe” Vargas wants to make it known that he is working for the students and the community.

Vargas earned a bachelor’s at St. Mary’s University and a master’s in history and philosophy from Indiana University.

Vargas believes there’s a complete breakdown in trust and leadership from the chancellor and the administration in terms of communication and it’s proven by the recent lawsuit by Dr. Craig Follins, former president of Northeast Lakeview College.

“I think we need to restructure the leadership because there is no faith there,” he said.

“It starts from changing the leadership at the top, then investing resources in the faculty so that they’re relevant to the needs of millennials and the economy.”

Vargas doesn’t agree with a policy that would prevent students and faculty from speaking at citizens-to-be-heard during public meetings.

It’s unconstitutional and it won’t happen; it’s just another way to silence students and faculty, and isn’t the approach to take if you want to make things better, he said.

On the topic of pushing for more workforce certificates or funding for liberal arts, Vargas said there’s a need to do both, and more.

“I would actually push for bachelor’s degrees at the community colleges and increase a lot of the certificates,” Vargas said. “We need to serve

the needs of a diverse population and increase opportunities for all students.”

Vargas said if the vision for the community college is to deal with issues that exist regarding limited job availability once students graduate or transfer, then there’s definitely a need for bachelor’s degrees, not just in applied sciences or technology but for teachers, nurses and all high-need areas in the city.

Vargas said universities want to corporatize their models of education, instead of developing the mind of their students.

“We give students these programs (7 Habits) that normalize failure, and I’m completely against them.”

When addressing the upcoming campus carry law, which will be implemented in fall 2017, Vargas said he doesn’t believe in it.

Vargas is completely against having guns on campus, and would spend his time as a trustee to make sure it would be handled properly.

“I’m not running against Casillas, I’m running for students,” Vargas said.

He believes he’s more accessible, and has more of a background in dealing with the ins and outs of university higher education culture.

“I’ve been a public servant my whole life; win or lose, I’ll continue to serve my community,” Vargas said. “My alliances are with the students and the communities that they come from.”

“It’s not just getting into office, it’s being effective once you’re there.”

PAC applicant appointed as student trustee Applicant is selected to serve as “liaison to student body.”

By Jerico Magallanes sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Four sharply dressed applicants came before the board of trustees March 29 at Killen Center, and one walked out as student trustee.

Emmanuel Nyong, biology sophomore at Palo Alto College, was selected as student trustee, earning eight of nine votes. Matthew Vargas, Northwest Vista College’s applicant and business administration freshman was selected as alternate in a 5-4 vote.

“I want to grow as a student leader,” Nyong said. “I feel that the Alamo student trustee position will offer me that opportunity. I also want to represent my fellow students and share that conscious with the board.”

Nyong’s résumé was just one of the many persuading points.

He served as senator of student services with the Palo Alto Student Government Association and president of Tri-Beta biological society. Nyong is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, National

Leadership Society and serves on the student activities fee committee.

Nyong’s service spills into the community, as a youth leader at St. Matthew’s United Methodist; volunteer for the city of San Antonio; and hospice volunteer.

“I’m diverse; I have a very unique way of seeing things,” Nyong said. “The way I see things are shaped by my experience and my faith.

It allows me to pursue the vision I have.”

Or iginally from Cameroon, Nyong described his diverse upbringing and hardships adapting to American culture as a qualifying trait and accomplishment.

Despite English being a second language, Nyong overcame and served as a member of his high school student council; French Club president; and vice president of French National Honor Society.

“Hard work pays off,” Nyong said. He referenced his time as a soccer player and how his coach instilled in him a hard-working mentality. If it weren’t for that, “I wouldn’t be standing here for student trustee selection.”

Nyong said, “My vision is to align the Alamo Colleges visions for its students with those who haven’t established one for themselves.”

His first action will be to visit each college and meet with their respective student governments to understand each college’s specific issues.

“The concerns that we face at Palo Alto are different than what you may face at SAC. I can’t be student trustee unless I have an understanding of these concerns.”

He will share this responsibility with Vargas.

“I just like testing out new experiences,” Vargas said. “I wanted to give this a shot. I didn’t want to pass it up.”

“I like to bring 100 percent to the table,” Vargas said. “I won’t back down from trying out new things and I’ll take in this whole new (opportunity). This is definitely something none of us has had the privilege to take on, but I welcome it.”

Current student trustee Sami Adames’ term ends April 26.

Nyong will be appointed the same day at the board meeting.

For more information, call 210-485-0030.