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Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Colleges
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Two professors take on poverty
Volume 91 Issue 2 • Sept. 19, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Page 4
NVC faculty revive no-confidence in Leslie With accreditation visits looming, district administrators and five presidents respond to concerns about autonomy of colleges. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@alamo.edu
A statement addressing a Northwest Vista College no-confidence resolution from Northwest Vista College faculty was emailed Tuesday night to media.
In the statement, the chancellor, vice chancellors and the five college presidents say they are not risking the colleges’ accreditation. The NVC chapter of the American Association of University Professors sent a statement Monday on a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Bruce Leslie because of the delayed accreditation of Northwest Vista and St. Philip’s colleges and this college. The vote was approved by 107, or 65 percent, of full-time faculty.
See NO CONFIDENCE, Page 8
Dual credit pay discussed By Wally Perez
See DUAL CREDIT, Page 8
By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@alamo.edu
After selecting three finalists for the position of vice president of college services, left vacant by the late David Mirzek, President Robert Vela chose to go back out and search for new candidates. Vela said this was because they lack background in the performance excellence side of the position, which he said is the primary focus of the position. Usha Venkat, director of information technology and chair of the vice president of college services search committee, said the performance excellence aspect of the position wasn’t emphasized when the committee went out to search. Venkat believes this was because the integrated planning and performance excellence department in charge has been created recently. In an interview Tuesday, Vela said it was
Constitution Day panel to mark anniversary of signing
In-district tuition hike on hold; needs student input By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
lege services search and dean of performance excellence search were going on at the same time. “Maybe there was confusion there and they thought, ‘well, the dean of performance excellence will do all that,’ but that’s more operational and we need to be visionary and I’m not sure we got the right committee,” Vela said. “I don’t know. I’ve got to talk to her and we have not debriefed on this, but obviously the folks who came through did not have that background.” Vela said that since they have John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities’ operations, and this college’s project manager Louis Kreusel, the facilities immediate need is not being ignored. “We meet every other week to discuss projects … we need somebody to kind of keep and manage that, but they aren’t experts in that; that’s what John’s people do for us. They’re engineers, construction engineers, on staff, assigned to colleges helping with those construction projects.
A tuition increase for in-district students was put on hold because of a lack of student input during the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee meeting Tuesday in Killen. According to the proposed minute order, the purpose of the increase is to unbundle the flat rate for the first six hours and move to a single tuition rate per semester credit hour for the whole schedule. The flat rate per semester credit hour and an accompanying incentive plan ensure tuition revenues at the same level as the prior schedule. Currently, students pay $504 for up to six credit hours, $691 for nine hours, $873 for 12 hours and $1,054 for 15 hours. Under the proposed schedule, students would pay $258 for three hours, $516 for six hours, $774 for nine hours, $1,032 for 12 hours and $1,290 for 15 hours. Students would see a reduction in cost of one three-hour course but would pay an additional $236 for 15 hours. District 8 trustee Clint Kingsbery and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate led the discussion regarding the increase as well as a proposed fast completion incentive plan. “This program will hopefully incentivize students to complete in two-three years, and we’re looking at this to save students money,” Zárate said. “Being as transparent as possible, there will be increases in tuition in certain areas.” Zárate said this will be equitable and easier for students to understand while providing an incentive that currently isn’t in the structure. Under the new fast completion incentive plan, students who follow a two-year plan obtain up to six credit hours in the summer if they earn a combined 24 credit hours in the fall and spring. Students can earn three free credit hours in the summer under a three-year incentive plan, which requires 18 combined credit hours in the fall and spring. “The summer courses are not ‘free,’” Zárate said. “They’re going to earn it; it’s almost like a scholarship.” Kingsbery followed Zárate’s lead by supporting the student success aspect of the proposal. “I came on board with this idea because I wanted to do something that would positively impact our students,” Kingsbery said. Kingsbery said the current tuition schedule is not fair to students and doesn’t promote student success. Students are projected to save $188 annually for the two-year plan and $141 annually for the three-year plan. District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante worried for students who cannot take 18-24 hours.
See VICE PRESIDENT, Page 7
See TUITION, Page 7
Canstruction Architecture sophomore Celine Hallier attempts to stabilize the arm of Atlas with cans of white kidney beans as architecture sophomore Shane Anderson prepares more cans for assembly Sept. 11 in North Star Mall. See story online. Brandon A. Edwards
3 VP finalists rejected President says committee confused on priorities.
Pathways intended to minimalize transfer risk
Committee sends proposal to full board Tuesday.
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
The board of trustees held a dinner for K-12 partners of the Alamo Colleges to discuss the future expansion of dual credit under House Bill 505 Sept. 8 at St. Philip’s College. The bill prohibits limitations on the number of dual credit courses or hours in which public high school students may enroll. Dr. Jo Carol Fabianke, vice chancellor for academic success, led the discussion regarding dual credit expansion in the 2017-18 academic year while ensuring a quality experience for students. Fabianke said areas of focus include the quality of the program, an expansion of course offerings and a costsharing plan. The expansion plan for a core or workforce certificate completion, which includes an addition of four courses for the 2017-18 academic year to the 10 courses high school students are allowed to take currently, bringing the total to 14. Currently, ninth grade students are not allowed to enroll in any dual credit courses, but with the expansion plan they would be allowed to take one in spring 2018. In 10th grade, students would be allowed to take two courses in the spring and two in the fall; up from just one each semester.
online now
a breakdown in communication. “What I understand is there were committees who thought the dean would do that job. Now I haven’t talked to her (Venkat) about that so I need to debrief with her, but clearly the charge was that this was a leader in performance excellence, Baldrige and institutional effectiveness,” Vela said. “If she understood something else, I want to see where the disconnect happened because that was not the charge.” Dr. Francisco Solis, dean of performance excellence, is in charge of the integrated planning and performance excellence office. He is responsible for day-today management performance excellence operation like Faculty 180, Curriculog and any new performance excellence projects beginning since he was hired. Currently, the responsibilities of the vice president of college services are split among remaining administration. Vela said a possible reason for the confusion was that the vice president of col-
People
2 • Sept. 19, 2016
Remembering Robert Chalk, Alamo City Pipes and Drums’ pipemage leads a procession during the 9/11 remembrance ceremony Sept. 12 as fire academy students stand in formation behind him.
www.theranger.org/multimedia
Chalk was followed by the honor guard holding the colors, a fire engine, police vehicles and a hearse. The procession went from Candler to the 9/11 memorial marker. See more online. Kyle R. Cotton
Spike
Education freshman Ben Aaron spikes the ball toward Pam Frias, administrative assistant in the PR office, at the first Volleyball Bash Sept. 14 in the mall north of the chemistry and geology building. Faculty and staff defeated the students in two of three games with the score of the final game being 14-11 in favor of the PR department. The event was hosted by student life. Zachary-Taylor Wright
Art therapy Former student Katherine Brown discusses her path from cancer and finding strength through art at her exhibit Thursday on the fourth floor of Moody. She created “Primavera’s Thought” during the remission stage of her cancer. The exhibit ends Dec. 2. Brandon A. Edwards
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NLC Event: Phi Theta Kappa and department of public safety dress shirt and tie drive 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Room 135 of student commons. Continues through Thursday. Call 210486-5404.
NVC Event: Fitness challenge 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in the fitness center. Call 210-486-4526.
SAC Event: STEMulate Science Showcase 9-10 a.m. in the mall. Call 210-486-0085.
Deadline: Fall 2016 Start 2 last day to withdraw for a 70 percent refund.
Deadline: Fall 2016 Start 2 last day to withdraw for a 25 percent refund. Continues through Sept. 28.
Trinity Event: The Trinity Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. campuswide. Call 210-999-7682.
SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage: Bailando Con Sabor, a flamenco presentation by Teresa Champion, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125
SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage: “Cesar Chavez” movie 10:40 a.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Continues 1:40 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: LiveWell Fair 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall and the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0127.
SAC Event: Fall 2016 Flex 2 new student orientation 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on the second floor of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
Event: Meditation in the Japanese Gallery 10:15-11 a.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free with Alamo Colleges ID. Call 210978-8100.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Note-Taking Skills 1-1:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Working and Communicating with Your Professor 11-11:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues Friday. Call 210-486-0165.
NVC Event: Hispanic Heritage Month: Barbara Renaud Gonzalez, writer, journalist and activist, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Lago Vista of Cypress. Call 210-486-4526.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Stress Management 10-10:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210-486-0165.
PAC Training: Active shooter training 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Legacy Room of the Ozuna Learning and Academics center. Call 210-486-3125. SAC Event: Karaoke Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0128. SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Math Anxiety 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-0165. SAC Event: Blood drive noon1 p.m. in the mall. Continues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday. Call 361557-7126. SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Learning Styles 4-4:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Time Management. 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues 1-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Call 210486-0165. Trinity Lecture: Political comedian W. Kamau Bell discusses “Ending Racism in About an Hour,” 7-9 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium. Free. Call 210-999-7011.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Study Smarter Skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. Event: Gallery Talk: Museum Highlights 4:30-5:30 p.m. in San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free. Call 210-978-8100.
Event: ArtFULL Wednesdays: Food for Thought: Moroccan Tajine 12-1 p.m. at McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Free. Call 210-824-5368. Trinity Event: “Patrik Elgström: Obstacle” Exhibition” 1-5 p.m. in Room 110 of Ruth Taylor Fine Arts. Continues through Oct. 15. Free. Call 210-999-7682.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Online Learning 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues a Nelip 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Call ndra a x e l 210-486-0165. s by A ration Illust Event: Fiestas Patrias De Mujer Artes/Exhibit plus Art Sale 5-8 p.m. Casa De Mujer Artes, 1412 El Paso. Continues daily through Oct. 15. Call 210-228-0201. Event: Sketching in the Galleries 6-8 p.m. at San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free for members, $10 for non-members. Call 210-978-8100.
SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Learning to Learn 1-1:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. SAC Event: SLAC Workshop — Test-Taking Skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. SAC Event: Zumba Fitness Craze! 3-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. Free. Call 210-486-0125 SAC Meeting: Anime Club 4:15-6 p.m. in Room 110 of Oppenheimer. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage: “The Panza Monologues” by Virginia Grise and Ima Mayorga 7 p.m. in McCreless Theater. Call 210-486-0125 Event: Coed seven-on-seven flag football 3:30 p.m. at Olmos Basin Park Field 4. Call 210-486-0125.
NLC Event: Archaeology Club flintknapping demonstration 10-11 a.m. in the amphitheater. Call 210-486-5404. NVC Event: Volleyball 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the fitness center. Sign up a team or individual. Call 210486-4526 UTSA Event: UCinema Night: “The Legend of Tarzan” 9-11 p.m. in Denman Galleria at the main campus. Continues 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Call 210-458-6044. SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage: “Requiem of the Oppressed” by Maximo Anguiano 7 p.m. in McCreless Theater. Call 210-4860125
SAC Event: Free Day! Museum Day Live 10 a.m.-5 p.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Call 210-978-8100. Trinity Event: Cervantes El Coloquio de los Perros at 2 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium. Continues 6 p.m. Sunday. Free. Call 210-9997531. Event: 10 Años de Fotohistorias exhibit opening 7-9:30 p.m. in the Esperanza Center. 922 San Pedro . Call 210-228-0201.
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Event: Gallery Talk: Museum Highlights 11 a.m.-noon at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free. Call 210-978-8100. Event: Family Art Play: Small Stages 1-3 p.m. at the McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. Free. Call 210-824-5368.
For coverage in People, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Sept. 19, 2016 • 3
SGA wants warning for potentially offensive posters By Brianna Rodrigue sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Student Government Association officers at Pepsi with the President Sept. 8 discussed placing signs at entry points to this campus to warn students when graphic images are presented by groups in the mall. Vice President Quintin Longoria said some students were negatively affected by graphic images presented on posters by the Love of Truth Ministries last semester. The group, which speaks out against abortion, is scheduled to return Sept. 26. “Graphic images of any kind can affect and be harmful to some people,” Jenna Keeton, commissioner of public relations, said Sept. 9 in an interview. People affected by graphic images could be veterans, SGA President Harley Williams said. SGA members want to purchase a digital board that can notify students before they enter the campus. Even though the cost needs to be discussed, college President Robert Vela said it’s a great idea. Dr. Lisa Alcorta, vice president of student success, said she would talk to the PR office about the idea. Williams also brought up a lack of student parking because of construction. “If students are getting impacted, we can have parking two-three blocks away and we can shuttle the students into the campus,” Vela said. If the Alamo Colleges’ proposed capital improvement projects plan is approved by voters in May, Alamo Colleges will receive $450 million for projects of which $60 million to $80 million will go to this college. Vela wants a five-story parking garage to be built at San Pedro and Park avenues where the
The Student Government Association had its Pepsi with the President meeting Sept. 8 at Fletcher with Dr. Lisa Alcorta, vice president of student success, and President Robert Vela. Attendees discussed when construction will law enforcement training center is located. Vela said the construction would still continue even if parking is a problem for students, and if the bond passes, construction will be for the next seven years. SGA has been working with local artist Luis Lopez, who designed the memorial garden at Scobee Education Center and mural at EcoCentro, to create a memorial bench as a remembrance of students and faculty who have died. The bench will be placed in the garden east of Chance Academic Center, but there is a wait on Lopez’s art because of construction near Chance. After discussing the memorial bench, SGA recommended to Vela to host a forum or event on campus telling students and faculty about the Texas law that will allow students, faculty and staff who have concealed carry
AIDS Foundation and ¡Hazlo! provide free testing Sept. 22 By Rachel Cooper
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
A new program at this college known as ¡Hazlo! por su salud, or “Do it for your health,” aims at preventing incidences of HIV and substance abuse. The program partners with the San Antonio AIDS Foundation and will provide free testing for HIV throughout the semester, starting 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 22 in the mall. Students should look for a red van with “Are you positive you’re negative?” painted on the side. Robyn Stassen, ¡Hazlo! coordinator, said, “I feel like everyone should be tested.” The van was not on campus as scheduled Aug. 31 due to a scheduling issue, although there was a tester available on campus. Testing also will be available 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 29; Oct. 13 and 20; and Nov. 3, 16 and 29 in the mall. To be tested, students should be prepared to fill out some confidential paperwork. Through the grant, SAAF can test students for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis. ¡Hazlo! is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant started in October 2015, and SAAF brought it to this campus in February 2016.
Rapid tests are done to check antibodies in the system and if it comes back reactive, further testing will be done at the San Antonio AIDS Center, Stassen said. The minute-long test involves a simple finger prick and participants can have their results within minutes. The hepatitis C test takes 10 minutes. Students can be referred to the center if they’re suspected to have a different STD based on risk factors, symptoms or test results, Stassen said. It would be smart for students to get tested every year, even if they are in a 100 percent monogamous relationship, Stassen said. She noted that you only have control over yourself. “I’m not saying don’t trust your partner,” Stassen said. “We really just want to raise awareness.” A lot of people think sexual health is different than a yearly checkup or sports physical, but the goal is to incorporate them together, she said. Once the stigma is gone, people can ask questions, get tested, be treated and not feel like there is something wrong with them, Stassen said. For more information, call Stassen at 210-486-1262 or Mary Dayton, student success adviser in the health promotions office, at 210-486-0127.
be done on a memorial garden and bench behind Chance. Vela also said he wants a new parking garage. If the bond passes in May, another seven years of construction will take place. Aly Miranda
licenses to bring concealed handguns on campus beginning in fall 2017. The Alamo Colleges are required by state law to adhere to the Licensed Concealed Campus Carry law Gov. Greg Abbott signed June 13, 2015, to allow Texas residents to carry a concealed handgun on a shoulder holster or hip if they have a concealed handgun license. For more information on campus carry, visit www.alamo.edu/district/campuscarry/. “The gun law will be affecting us soon, and we want students to know what it is so they will not panic about it,” Williams said. Vela said he could invite the San Antonio police chief and attorneys to speak and answer questions on campus about the gun law. A voter registration drive will be on campus Sept. 27 led by Move San Antonio. “San Antonio has a low voting rate, and
a lot of our young people are not even registered,” Williams said. Some SGA members will be deputized so they can help register students. Longoria had an idea of hosting an interclub Olympics. “It will be a great way for everyone to have fun, meet new people and learn about other clubs and organization on the campus,” Longoria said. “A lot of clubs are so isolated from others so this will be a great way to collaborate with each other.” Williams presented a proposal of having a mariachi class in the fine arts program because students had asked SGA about it. Vela said he has authorized fine arts Chair Jeff Hunt to purchase attire to prepare for the class. Vela asked Williams to continue to prepare a proposal on the need for a mariachi class.
Legally blind sophomore plays for charity concert By Aly Miranda
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Music business sophomore Tone Guerrero will perform as a one-man band in the Fight for Sight concert Sept. 24 to raise money for the Fighting Blindness Foundation. The concert will be at 8 p.m. at Steely’s Nevada’s Bar and Lounge at 7530 Bandera Road. Guerrero, who is legally blind, will perform on his bass guitar and sing covers from The Cure, The Ramones, George Strait, Social Distortion, the Pixies and Motörhead. “I’m going to be performing, playing bass guitar and singing, and I’ll have music to the songs playing as well and if anyone knows the song, they can come up and sing along,” he said Sept. 13. Guerrero is legally blind because of a hereditary eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), also known as tunnel vision. He was diagnosed at 17, but he has suffered symptoms since he was a child. “When I was younger, I didn’t know I had that (retinitis pigmentosa), and I spent a lot of time running around in the sun, and I was actually damaging my eyesight,” Guerrero said. “People with RP, when they’re out in the sun, the UV-rays damage what’s in the back of their retina, called the rods and cones. Just being outdoors is like looking straight into the sun, for people with RP.” “The common thing with RP is that you think you’re clumsy, but it’s just the fact you have blind spots,” Guerrero said. Through social networking with other visually impaired and blind people, Guerrero became involved with Fighting Blindness a few years ago. He performed his first concert for the foundation last year.
Music business sophomore Tone Guerrero will be participating in the Fight for Sight concert. Aly Miranda “Years ago, I met a friend of mine who mutually knew another friend, and it was kind of someone who knew someone who knew someone for me to come into Fight for Sight,” Guerrero said. Todd Dunn, co-president of the San AntonioAustin chapter of Fighting Blindness, and his wife named the benefit concert. It has been an annual event for the past five years. Fight for Sight has a $5 donation at the door. There will also be a silent auction hosted by Dunn’s sister. “One hundred percent of the money, the silent auction and door money we collect goes to the foundation, and my friend who owns the bar donates 10 percent of the bar sales to the foundation,” Dunn said. Dunn said last year, the concert made about $2,000 and the year before was $1,800. “It just really depends on the crowd,” Dunn said. For more information on Fighting Blindness, go to sanantonio@blindness.org.
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4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Social work organization seeks m Social Work Student Association looks back at last year’s achievements and plans for this semester. By Christy Romero sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Social Work Student Association is open to anyone interested in social work or making a difference on campus, social work and sociology Instructor Beatrix Perez said. “In our first year, we collaborated with the San Antonio Fire Department to help fundraise for the Special Olympics of Texas. We were a part of the SACtacular event on campus as well as assisting students by conducting student surveys regarding important social issues,” Perez said. Social work sophomore Arturo Hernandez joined the organization when it began in fall 2015 and remembered the first fundraiser. They raised about $300 for the club throughout their first year, starting with selling pickles at SACtacular. “It didn’t matter how much we made. We didn’t have any funds to start with. Anything helped,” he said. “We started fundraising for ourselves. In order to have
a club, we have to raise enough money to run it,” he said. “Our main goal was to find out what the main problem was here at the college and how we could help out.” Surveys helped the organization realize student poverty is a big issue affecting students, which led to the establishment of an anti-poverty program where students can seek financial help with rent and bills, along with food and clothing. Social work students will help develop and staff a food pantry when it is added to the anti-poverty program. Around 40 surveys were distributed to students on campus, asking for areas of need such as economic problems, domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, substance abuse, assault and child care. Economic problems was selected in 75 percent of the surveys. Hernandez said the club has helped other organizations on campus. “We joined student life on helping clean up San Pedro Park last semester,” Hernandez said. Perez said the group donated a $100 H-E-B gift card to the Church of Christ Student Center as a thank you for providing free food for students every Thursday. The group also attended career fairs at high schools.
Toiletry donations needed Lifetime Recovery residents will receive donations from students in time for winter break. By Michelle Delgado sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The Human Services Club will host a toiletries drive through Dec. 15. Items such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste, razors and deodorant are acceptable donations. All donated items will be taken to Lifetime Recovery, a men’s residential chemical dependency treatment center. Donations can be dropped off 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room 323 of Nail Technical Center. The drive is a great way to help people who have children get back on their feet and recover, said Christopher Lopez, academic sup-
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port specialist for the human services program. “A lot of times the people in these treatment facilities are there because they end up with nothing; sometimes they’re homeless,” said Lopez, who is a former president of the club. Last semester, the club collected toiletries for Alpha Home, a rehabilitation center that helps women who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. The drive for Alpha Home was a huge success, Lopez said; more than 500 items were donated and given to the home on their 50th anniversary, Lopez said. Students in the Human Services Club get hands-on experience with giving back to the community, while gaining professional experience when associating with the men and women who are residents of the treatment centers. “It’s just a good way to help the residents of these treatment facilities get back on their feet and recover,” Lopez said. The club gives students networking opportunities with professional organizations and updates them with seminars and conferences around San Antonio, such as the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Texas Association of Addiction Professionals. Anybody can join the Human Services Club by signing up through OrgSync; they are currently in search of a new president. The club meets noon-1 p.m. Fridays in Room 325 of Nail Technical Center. For more information, call the human services office at 210-4861267 or go to Room 323 of Nail.
Two take
Resource center is s with interns to help n students get benefits By Christy Romero sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Sociology Professor Lisa criminal justice Professor have started an anti-pove at this college to help fill st nomic needs such as help rent and electricity bills. The free service resource established opened this Room 323 of Chance Acade Cox explained Aug. 31. ”It’s starting out as a ne which we hope will becom here at the college of meeti immediate needs for them so successful in the classroom,” Cox said. The college faculty take ownership of their students and notice the change in grades can be affected by th side of class, Cox said. “If they’re worried about light bill payment, they’re n be able to focus. If they h night shifts and come direc in the morning, they’re not well in class,” she said. “Our idea is to address for students on our camp struggling with the effects o make sure they succeed an being a student.” Cox said. Social work interns wit and master’s degrees from th of Texas at San Antonio, University and Our Lady University, working under sion of Black, listen to wh say their needs are and help those needs. Students will fill out do
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“We did career fairs at Reagan, Warren High Schools, and Northeast Independent School District to help recruit future students and inform them on social work careers,” Perez said. Six members attended the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors conference March 30-April 3. “We were the only freshmen and sophomores from a two-year college attending the conference in Dallas. All attendees were juniors and seniors from four-year universities. This year the conference will take place in New Orleans,” Perez said. The club plans to attend this event March 1–5. “We are looking forward to helping the anti-poverty program on setting up and helping with the food pantry,” Hernandez said. The Social Work Student Association has a Facebook page and meets on alternate weeks. Meetings for the next month are scheduled at 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays and at 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 324 of Chance Academic Center. The next meeting is Wednesday. For information, call sociology program coordinator Lisa Black at 210-486-0347 or Perez at 210-486-1327.
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state basic needs support such as food and nutrition services like Women, Infants Children and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits with the help of a social work intern, Cox said. This is more effective than just giving students a list of resources and setting them off on their own to figure out,” Cox said. They can also refer students to resources in the community that could provide help making an electricity or rent payment. Although services like WIC and TANF take time to process, this program will also help with immediate needs provided locally, such as Food Bank distributions, Black said Sept. 6. In the future, across the hallway will be a food pantry and a clothing closet for any student on campus who needs food or clothes. The clothes will be “campus attire,” which is casual wear to formal attire like outfits for meetings and casual interviews. “We are partnering with Magic Closet across the street from the college for professional clothing students would
need for job interviews,” Cox said. The Magic Closet collects used professional clothing and provides it to lower-income women and others who need clothing for job interviews. It is sponsored by Network Power Texas. They are working to get the food pantry and clothing closet up later this semester or in the spring, Black said. Black said the cost to the college of the anti-poverty efforts has not been determined. The women’s empowerment center at this college also helps college students succeed with a Mi Casa program. However, those resources are limited to students who have women’s center advisers. The social work program is open to all students, Black explained. A student assistant who works for Black discussed the efforts behind the program. “This project is like our little baby. We are working hard on it and we are not going to let it go down,” communications sophomore Raven Vasquez said. “We want this program to expand. It affects the students and faculty as well.” A graduate intern at Our Lady of the Lake described what she does as an intern. “We go through the process of being mentored and doing intake of forms and assessment,” Tamla Phillips said. “Students need help. When you come here, you see the need already waiting on you. Financial aid is not enough for some students.” To seek benefits from the anti-poverty program, students can go to Room 323 in Chance 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.
Courtesy
Students write short stories for children’s book to promote literacy Three of six student authors receive scholarships. By R. M. Ozuniga
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
“A Collection of Short Stories,” a book of children’s stories written by students at this college, was distributed to local school children during the summer. The college sponsored a writing contest for students to compose fiction or nonfiction short stories with a limit of 2,000 words. The idea came from the office of President Robert Vela and the arrangements were done by the outreach and recruitment office. More than 60 stories were submitted, and six were chosen for the 34-four page collection. “To our surprise, we received a huge response to our call for entries,” Vela wrote in an introduction to the collection. English faculty members Claudio San Miguel, Ernie Tscalis, Gerardo Robledo and Caroline Davis selected the stories. Robledo said the final stories were different in approach and were engaging. Some stories set in San Antonio incorporated cultural aspects, such as breakfast tacos made with homemade tortillas, that helped the reader with engagement, he said. The winning stories were assembled, published into a paperback book and distributed to elementary students. Students also submitted artwork with their stories, but only one was used in the publication. Other stories were illustrated with generic illustrations. “We ordered around 1,500 books,” Chaye Peña, outreach and recruitment director, said Sept. 13. “We went to different community summer camps in our area, in the West Side and Central San Antonio, like SA Youth and the Boys and Girls clubs. That’s how we gave a lot of them out.”
The student who created the best story received a scholarship fund of $500, while second- and third-place contenders received $250. Student authors Alexa Blania and Nina Knueven wrote the first-place story, “Cactus Flower.” L.W. Willard wrote the second-place story, “Forbidden Blue Door.” Janie Rivera wrote the third-place story, “Love Light on the Old Lake.” One story is by a 9-year-old girl, Rylee Ember Garza. Robledo did not know how she learned of the contest. Vela had the idea of creating the studentwritten children’s book to promote reading proficiency around the community. Another reason was to “provide a free resource to kids so that they would have something to read over the summer when their school libraries are closed and they don’t have access to transportation to go to public libraries and they might not have access to books in their own homes,” Peña said. The San Antonio Youth Literacy program’s statistics reported one in six children who are not reading proficiently in third grade do not graduate from high school on time. The outreach and recruitment program partners with the youth literacy program and provides reading tutors to area elementary schools. Peña said her office organized volunteers who spent more than 160 hours reading to second graders last year. “It says a lot about our college and our president that we’re providing these resources to students of all ages,” Peña said. “Here, we’re looking as far back as elementary school to see what our students need to be successful.” For information, call Peña at 210-4869864.
6 • Sept. 19, 2016
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Managing Editor Kyle R. Cotton Calendar Editor Christian Erevia Staff Writers Bismarck D. Andino, Raven Arriaga, Yessenia Arroyo, Nicole Bautista, Valerie Champion, Rachel Cooper, Michelle Delgado, J. Del Valle, James Dusek, Estefania Flores, Emily Garcia, Miranda A. Holden, Mario Parker Menchaca III, Felicia Mora, R.M. Ozuniga, Ryann Palacios, William A. Peters, Maritza Ramirez, Sasha D. Robinson, Brianna Rodrigue, Christy Romero Visuals Editor Brandon A. Edwards Photographers Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Yvonne Gonzales, Deandra Gonzalez, Josue Hernandez, Daniel Martinez, M.J. Martinez, Melissa Oblach Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant Zachary-Taylor Wright
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©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 classes in the Journalism Program at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger. org. News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-9292), by email (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 of Loftin Student Center). Advertising rates available by phone 210-4861765 or as a download at www.theranger.org. The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association. Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words. Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style. All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer. Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter. Letters should be emailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu. Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, mailed to The Ranger, Journalism Program, San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-3941 or faxed to 210-486-9292. Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number. For more information, call 210-486-1773. Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs. Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office. Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who violate the single-copy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.
Alexandra Nelipa
Get on same page for VP search Expectations of candidates not pinpointed the first time around. The search for the vice president of college services continues as two of the candidates vying for the position were passed over and the third withdrew from consideration. President Robert Vela said the candidates were missing an integral qualification for the position in the performance excellence area. It’s not uncommon for candidates to not meet expectations. People don’t get jobs all the time for lack of experience, but the president said the problem was a failure to communicate fully, which led to a selection of candidates who were wrong for the position. Usha Venkat, director of information technology, who chaired the search committee, said the focus on performance excellence wasn’t emphasized during the search. This led to time and money wasted, for both the administration and candidates, as well as highlighting a problem within administration. One of the candidates, Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, withdrew from the search after learning performance excellence was a larger focus with the position. He told The Ranger he was more interested in the
viewpoint
facilities and budgeting aspect of the position. These were the primary responsibilities for the late Dave Mrizek, who held the position of vice president of college services. Because of this stall in the search, the responsibilities for the vice president of college services continue to fall on the shoulders of various administrators. The initial search for this position was announced back in April, with Vela telling The Ranger he would advertise for the position for 30 days. The search lasted throughout the summer; – at least two months. Does this mean we’ll have to wait another two months for the next candidates? Although the college recently hired a dean of performance excellence, Vela said the vice president of college services needs to be able to set the vision for that department. With problems in previous searches, the most recent being vice president for student success, which took almost two years, getting everything right the first time should be a priority. Communication is key when it comes to running literally anything smoothly. If the administration wants students and faculty to be successful, they need to lead by example and get things done correctly the first time instead of saying “oops.”
Find your voice on campus
Representative wants to keep college affordable. Whether it is your first semester or last, I applaud your decision to Guest become a Ranger. viewpoint San Antonio College is by Lloyd about opportunity. I was Doggett pleased to join President Robert Vela and comsac-ranger@ student.alamo.edu munity partners to commemorate 90 years of serving students and the community. There are many milestones to celebrate, like the record number of graduates crossing the stage at the May 2016 commencement and being recognized by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics as a bright spot in Hispanic education. As you return to classes, I know your campus is full of active, engaged students, many of whom I have met with or who have interned in my office just off West Travis Street. A lifetime of civic involvement often begins in the college years, and showing your support for higher education is a great
way to engage so that SAC continues to be a bright spot for our veterans, families and community. You have much at stake in Washington. Last November, the Higher Education Act, the first piece of national legislation aimed at reducing college costs, celebrated its 50th anniversary. When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this landmark law, he said that it was to ensure that the “path of knowledge is open to all that have the determination to walk it.” While this legislation improved college affordability at the time, half a century later too many of our students face financial obstacles to furthering their education, and many more leave with a mountain of debt. We face big challenges from those who do not believe in federal aid to education and who oppose adequate funding for student aid. I believe that an investment in you is an investment in the future of America. To keep interest rates low and financial aid high, one of the first changes that must be made is lowering high interest rates on federal student loans. I have supported legislation to avoid the doubling of interest rates on federal loans and to continue adequate funding for Pell Grants and other
types of federal student financial assistance. I also authored the “More Education” tax credit, also known as the American Opportunity Tax Credit so that students and families receive a tax cut by up to $10,000 on education expenses such as tuition, textbooks and fees. Throughout your time at SAC, I look forward to seeing you, whether it is at school, a local event in the community, or when I hold my “neighborhood office hours” and visit with constituents about whatever federal issue they want to discuss. I also encourage students to get involved as interns in my San Antonio or Washington, D.C., offices. If you want to help me serve our community, then email your cover letter and résumé to my San Antonio district director at MaryEllen.Veliz@mail.house.gov. Share information about how student loan debt after graduation will affect you so I can share your thoughts, stories and ideas with my colleagues. For other ways to communicate, see my website at www.Doggett.House.Gov. Let me hear from you. I wish you a successful year. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) represents the 35th Congressional District.
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Sept. 19, 2016 • 7
Clark to stay on part time for ‘consistency’ student 101 Smart eating leads to smart students
She will finish projects she started, but no termination date has been set. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@alamo.edu
Despite the recent hiring of Dr. Francisco Solis as dean of performance excellence, Dr. Kristine Clark, chief of integrated planning and performance excellence, will stay on in a part-time capacity. Clark will primarily work on any projects that were started prior to Solis being hired. “What will happen is I’m going to break off some of the pieces I’ve already been working with to give those pieces additional focus,” Clark said. “Realistically, what we are really talking about is rather than duplication of effort, more supplementing of effort,” Clark said. “The more people working on the college’s performance excellence piece the better it can be for the college.” Currently, Clark is working on this college’s follow-up report on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ questions of autonomy for accreditation and is a representative for this college during the district’s application to the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Baldrige award is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence a U.S. organization can receive. Up to 18 awards are given annually across six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, education, health care and nonprofit. President Robert Vela reinforced that Solis is the head of the IPPE division, but Clark will
Professor advises eating whole foods and monitoring calories. By Valerie Champion sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Dr. Kristine Clark and Dr. Robert Vela. File stay on for continuity. The new position for Solis pays $94,500 and Clark said she has not worked out the details regarding her pay with Vela, but she said she will be paid hourly and doesn’t receive any benefits such as insurance, paid leave and retirement benefits. Clark received $62.18 per hour last year. “There is no way to introduce another writer in there when they have two different writing styles,” Vela said. “It would be a major interruption in that style and the way it’s being done. So I need her to close that out and her to help us contribute to the Alamo Colleges’ Baldrige model. “It’s more writing and really collaborating with the departments to bring the information
forward to really capture it and all that will continue under her role.” Clark, who was retired when Vela hired her as part of the new IPPE division, said she will be working half-time like any other part-time employee depending on the project and has no set date for when she leaves. “I’m kind of taking my continuation of the college project-by-project and need-by-need,” Clark said. “Having been a vice chancellor for Alamo Colleges and having been an executive VP for SAC; the bottom line is much of my heart belongs to SAC, and the Alamo Colleges. So as long as I feel as though I am able to contribute and to really help move the college forward, I’m willing to consider what’s available in terms of the need for ongoing projects.”
From TUITION, Page 1 “Those students who can’t take these hours are going to be paying significantly more in tuition,” Bustamante said. “We need to think of these part-time students and how it affects them.” Kingsbery said this is not a tuition increase across the board, and students who take one to five hours will actually see a reduction. “The only student who doesn’t benefit from this is the six-hour student,” Kingsbery said. “In theory, it could potentially incentivize people to only take three hours unfortunately, but it’s a reality we may have to face.” Student trustee Emmanuel Nyong said the idea of the increase worried him at first, but after further reading, believed it to be a good idea. Nyong said he plans to obtain input from students and the Student Government Association at Palo Alto College. District 2 trustee Denver McClendon said the board needs projections on who would take advantage of this and what outcomes they would have with it. “Once we do this, it’s going to be difficult to say, ‘oh we screwed up,’ so we need to be certain going forward that this is going to be a success,” McClendon said. McClendon said he wants to see some degree of enthusiasm from students before they move
Student trustee Emmanuel Nyong reviews his calculations regarding a potential new in-district tuition fee schedule and says he could see the benefit for students in the schedule. District 1 trustee Joe Alderete asked Nyong if students have given any input into the schedule, and he said it was the first time he’s seen it. Kyle R. Cotton this forward. “I’m just concerned about its effectiveness; we need the students’ voice on it,” McClendon said. Chancellor Bruce Leslie said the increase and incentive proposal are a positive approach they should take. “We can’t project how many students will take advantage of it, but now, we have a personal advising system to help students,” Leslie said. “To hold this off because maybe a few students can’t take advantage of it — when we can expect a large percentage of stu-
From VICE PRESIDENT, Page 1 That’s something that will never fall through the cracks because that’s John’s area,” Vela said. Vela reiterated that this is a performance excellence-focused position. “It’s a very difficult thing for a lot of folks to
dents to be able to — holds us back from our potential in growing our degrees,” he said. Board Chair Yvonne Katz said there needed to be more data and the board has to come to a consensus on the program to bring it forward at the October meeting. Katz asked Leslie to speak with the presidents and vice presidents to pull together the students at their colleges — those who are taking all ranges of hours — and discuss the tuition plan. District 4 trustee Marcelo Casillas said it was the best idea he had heard all night after agree-
understand, but it’s really ensuring quality in everything we do, to construction, to budget, to assessment. “It is the quality and effectiveness by which we operate as a college,” Vela said. “It’s a very comprehensive position.”
ing with fellow trustees to get more student feedback. In other business, an out-ofdistrict tuition reduction was moved forward to the regular board meeting Tuesday. According to the proposed minute order, the purpose of the decrease is to balance the tuition rate for out-of-district students, which will take effect in fall 2017. Under the new rates, students who take three to six credit hours will see a decrease from $1,231 to $1,184. Nine credit hours will drop from $1,781 to $1,624; 12 hours will drop from $2,327 to $2,052; and 15 hours will drop from $2,872 to $2,477. The proposed decrease for out-of-district students also would go into effect in fall 2017 and is projected to result in an increase of 724 out-of-district students to the current 4,817. In an interview after the meeting, President Robert Vela said he hadn’t consulted students on the tuition increase as it was a direct charge from administration to work on. “We want to incentivize students to take more classes,” Vela said. “The more classes you take, the better you’re rewarded in the summer.” Vela said he’s going to take the idea to the Student Government Association and create student focus groups to get their input on the proposal.
The vice president of college services oversees the budget, facilities, EcoCentro, Scobee Education Center, construction, grants, emergency management, information technology, facility management and institutional effectiveness and research.
With the new semester fully underway, students may be feeling the effects a busy schedule has on their time for preparing healthful meals. Interpreting sophomore Bill Jennings said even though he is a fulltime student and work-study, he tries to eat three square meals a day. “It can be difficult,” he said. He tries to avoid eating Alexandra Neli pa on campus because it can be expensive. Nutrition Professor Shelly Sheppard recommends tailoring a meal plan to fit individual needs. She encourages students to determine their daily calorie needs and track what they’re eating. Students can go online and find a recommended daily calorie intake based on their age, activity level and gender. Sheppard recommends using apps such as MyFitnessPal and Lose It!, or devices such as the Fitbit, to track their calorie intakes and try to plan future meals according to their daily calorie needs. “There’s no plan that fits all people,” Sheppard said. Students with a hectic schedule don’t need to have three meals a day, as long as their daily calorie intake is consistent. Sheppard said smart snacking is always an option. “You have to focus on whole foods,” she said, “Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt ... anything whole. You want to eliminate processed foods.” Students may wonder how they can afford to eat whole foods as opposed to readily available processed ones. Sheppard said shopping for seasonal produce is more affordable. She said, it would be unwise to buy watermelon in the winter. In fall, produce such as beets, cauliflower, apples, bananas and squash are all in season. She also recommended buying whole foods in bulk, cooking them and freezing meals for later. Students may buy fresh fruit when it’s in season and freeze it for smoothies. Sheppard said buying fresh tomatoes, cooking sauce and freezing it can stretch ingredients for other meals, saving money and preparation time. Despite that preparation, students might still go out to eat sometimes. Sheppard said fastfood restaurants must provide calorie counts, and eating healthy can be as simple as avoiding fried food in favor of grilled options and plant-based foods like salads and vegetable sides. “You have to know how to navigate the menu,” she said.
8 • Sept. 19, 2016
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Trustee explains Dallas benchmark for AC By Wally Perez
gperez239@alamo.edu
Comparisons to Dallas County Community College District have become a common occurrence during monthly meetings of the board of trustees and for good reason; they’re one of the leading community colleges in graduation numbers. Chancellor Bruce Leslie said he views DCCCD not so much as a competitor, but more as a peer that has similar structure to the Alamo Colleges. “We want to be comparing ourselves to large urban institutions,” Leslie said in a phone interview Aug. 31. The more important issue is that Dallas and seven other community colleges in Texas are peers in terms of how data is analyzed, Leslie said. Leslie said District 1 trustee Joe Alderete has not shied away from making frequent
comparisons during regular meetings of the board of trustees. During a Student Success Committee meeting Aug. 9, Alderete asked, “Where are we in terms of degrees and certificates in comparison to DCCCD?” “I know we’re No. 2 in producing certificates in degrees, but where are we with DCCCD? And have we pushed them down?” Alderete said. Leslie replied, “We are allies; we do not push them down.” At the meeting, Leslie couldn’t answer the question of where the Alamo Colleges were in comparison to DCCCD. Mario Muñiz, district director of public relations, said the total number of graduates for the Alamo Colleges wasn’t ready yet, and to expect something by October. The Ranger received graduation statistics from Ann Hatch, district director of media
relations at DCCCD. The numbers are: • Fall 2015 2,468 associate degrees, 1,260 certificates • Spring 2016 3,370 associate degrees, 1,734 certificates. • Summer 2016 1,090 associate degrees, 225 certificates. • A total of 10,147 degrees and certificates awarded. “Since they’re larger than we are, and have more degree awards, his (Alderete’s) thinking is if we can do better than them (DCCCD) the better we look,” Leslie said. Leslie said Dallas’s goal for degrees awarded is not the target for the Alamo Colleges. “Our degree award targets are laid out in plain sight at our monthly board meetings with the goal of 10,500 degrees awarded for the 2015-16 academic year,” Leslie said. Alderete said the board decided to take
From NO CONFIDENCE, Page 1
Board Chair Yvonne Katz instructs guests to raise a finger and choose a speaker at their table by pointing at them in unison Sept. 8 at St. Philip’s College. Every table had 15 minutes to discuss short-term and long-term challenges in regard to dual credit and an expansion plan during a K-12 partnership dinner with independent school districts around the city. Wally Perez
From DUAL CREDIT, Page 1 Eleventh graders would stay the same at two courses each in the fall and spring while 12th graders would stay the same in the fall with two courses, but would be allowed to take three in the spring rather than two. This allows a student to move on to college with a total of 42 college hours rather than the previous 30. There are two paths for the cost-sharing plan for 2017-18. When school districts pay high school faculty to teach college courses, the Alamo Colleges will pay the school district $600 per course with a minimum of 15 students per course, for both dual credit and early college high school. Courses with fewer than 15 students do not receive reimbursement. When Alamo Colleges pay faculty to teach college courses face-to-face or online, the school district will pay Alamo Colleges $100 per student if less than 80 percent of actual student enrollment in a course on census date. The school district will pay Alamo Colleges $2,800 per course if high school students take 80 percent or higher of actual student enrollment in a course on census date. During discussion, the independent school districts had a chance to voice their opinions on short-term and long-term challenges related to the expansion plan. District 8 trustee Clint Kingsbery said there are a lack of teachers with a master’s degree who can teach dual credit courses. Kingsbery said a master’s incentive could be implemented to get teachers to take the 18 hours they need to teach AP courses. Dr. Nereida Cantu, assistant superintendent of post secondary education and career readiness for Judson Independent School District, agreed with Kingsbery and said they need to figure out how to promote
and encourage teachers to get a master’s. Cantu said partnerships are critical. “How do we grow those partnerships as a collaborative?” Cantu said. “It’s unrealistic to believe one entity can work with 38 school districts, so it’s important that we continue to work together.” Leslie opened the floor to any suggestions for topics that a bill should be prepared for, or which legislator they should go to for the upcoming session in January. Leslie asked for opinions on legislative priorities for any of the school districts for the upcoming 85th Legislature. Dr. Carl A. Montoya, superintendent of Judson ISD, said more representation is needed to be taken seriously by the Legislature. “I’ve been to Austin every year for the last eight or nine years to talk to legislators,” Montoya said. “They’re very nice and very positive, but it’s basically, ‘Hi, how are you? Have a good day, goodbye.’” Montoya said they don’t need to lose the strategy of going to Austin, but a change in the kind of groups that represent their district or college could be helpful. “If we get a different group like the community, parents or students to show up, they’ll take it more seriously,” Montoya said. “If we could get students to show up with our message, I think it would be impactful.” Leslie agreed with Montoya, saying the legislators treat them as if it was business as usual, hearing them out and moving on. “They see us as the hired guns coming in. They’ll be polite, but they don’t really respond to us,” Leslie said. “Most of us who have given testimony know the majority go into the back room and aren’t even there when we’re presenting. You’re talking to two or three people so it’s very frustrating,” Leslie said.
The group planned a press conference Thursday. The administration’s response listed district accomplishments in student success. “(The) focus on students first frames our strategic plan, policies and board charges to the chancellor. The great news is that our strategic plan has provided the framework and incentives for the Alamo Colleges to achieve remarkable improvement in student persistence, completion, employment, transfer and degree achievement. “The Alamo Colleges have strategically adopted a series of best and promising practices, which have yielded exceptional results for our students,” the statement said. This includes a Leslie 224 percent increase in degrees and certificates since 2006 from 3,707 to 12,003. “The very nature of accreditation is to promote student learning and achievement. To that end, the policies, procedures and initiatives adopted by the faculty, staff and board of trustees have purposefully focused on the advancement of students and the communities we serve,” the administration’s response read. Over the summer, the autonomy of this college, Northwest Vista and St. Philip’s was questioned after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reviewed each college’s 10-year reaffirmations of accreditation. Among the 10 standards that the association is reviewing for each of the colleges are three core-standards. Northwest Vista faculty voted to re-affirm their vote of no confidence in Chancellor Bruce Leslie’s leadership from a no-confidence vote in 2009 by faculty at Northwest Vista, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s and this
the graduates, certificates and licensing numbers in a way to compare the Alamo Colleges in a nationwide and statewide basis. “We have decided to review our metrics and how we’re going to look at them because the Coordinating Board has a very nonlogical way of measuring successes of a community college,” Alderete said in a phone interview Sept. 6. “It seems to be more equitable when you’re comparing apples to apples instead of being compared with apples, grapes and peaches,” Alderete said. Alderete said the reason behind looking at DCCCD in terms of graduation standards is because they’re the leading community college in terms of graduation numbers. “It’s a simple process in my opinion. If we surpass Dallas in those numbers, then we’re the best in the state; then we start competing with the rest of the nation,” Alderete said.
college. The 2009 no-confidence vote represented more than 90 percent of full-time faculty across the colleges. In 2009, Faculty Senate representatives called the chancellor fiscally irresponsible in their resolutions, questioned the proposed Playland Park headquarters, objected to This failure to recognize principles of accreditation from SACSCOC, ignored faculty input on academics and curriculum and disregarded district hiring policies. The statement on the website on the Northwest Vista AAUP chapter lists grievances in detail. It primarily lists Board Policy B.9.1 and E.1.3, which they said, is the district determining curriculum, which falls under the concern of autonomy as faculty are supposed to determine curriculum. Leslie wrote in a 2010 memo that independent accreditation was unsustainable when the board reaffirmed separate accreditation: “There are those who continue to use the label of ‘independently accredited colleges’ as justification to behave separately and autonomously. This cannot continue. ... Therefore, if the board retains the current model of accreditation, it should consider adopting new policies that stipulate that the operating principles of the district should be based not on separateness but on collaboration, cooperation, alignment and synergy in order to fulfill our vision of becoming the best district in the land.” The Ranger called Leslie Wednesday to see if he still believes the colleges should maintain independent accreditation. Leo Zuniga, associate vice chancellor of communication, said the chancellor said the decision regarding single and individual accreditation is up to the board of trustees.