.org
the
ranger Serving San Antonio College and the Alamo Colleges
An independent forum of free voices
Volume 91 Issue 5 • Oct. 10, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Coming out Student shares personal story of bullying in high school Page 4
Accreditation visit successful, Cleary says Colleges await official notifications. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
After months of concern over the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ special committee
site-visit to evaluate in more detail questions in regard to autonomy, Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor of planning, performance, accreditation and information systems said the visits to the three colleges — St. Philip’s, Northwest Vista and here — a success. “These are housekeeping types
of issues,” Cleary said. The three colleges each had the same five standards come back as recommendations to address and St. Philip’s having an additional one to address that Cleary could not identify at the time of the interview Tuesday evening. “All the things that need to be
addressed are things such as headers on transcripts and how we calculate GPA, all of which are quite simple to address to come under compliance,” Cleary said. Cleary said SACSCOC special committee will send a draft letter to each of the colleges sometime this week with its finds so that the
colleges can check for any factual errors before getting the official letter. At that time, they will have to respond in advance of SACSCOC’s December meeting. “There is virtually no chance that these colleges won’t be reaffirmed,” Cleary said. “I would be
See VISIT, Page 3
online now Social justice group forms Speech workshops open to all College celebrates Night Out
Tax base, population affect tuition By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
Artist Mortuary science freshman Raye Jipping draws to show her love for octopuses during Chalk Day Oct. 3 sponsored by the journalism program and The Ranger between Loftin and chemistry and geology. The event pro-
moted freedom of speech during National Newspaper Week. Expressions stretched from the east end of Loftin to the west side of Candler. Read the story at theranger.org. Deandra Gonzalez
SGA survey finds approval on tuition change Members bring up concerns for board, learn about hackers who help companies. By Rachel Cooper
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Four members of the Student Government Association and nine students on Oct. 3 reviewed student input on a proposed tuition incentive, discussed hosting campus-carry forums for students and explored confusion about the advising process. SGA received 290 surveys from students about an incentive that would allow students who complete 24 credit hours in a year to take one to two free summer classes. Most of the surveyed students were in favor of the incentive, SGA President Harley Williams said at the SGA meeting in Loftin Student Center. The results will be presented at the Alamo Colleges board of trustees committee meeting Oct. 11. SGA members said it would be important to look at how many students take summer classes. SGA will discuss that in the next meeting noon-1 p.m. today in the craft room of Loftin. The incentive is part of a proposed tuition increase. The board is considering changing from a flat rate of $504 for the first six credit hours for in-district students to $86 per credit hour. This year’s student trustee, Emmanuel Nyong, attended the SGA’s meeting and said it is beneficial that he can communicate directly with students and faculty to be a voice for students. He sits on the board of trustees and represents students from the five Alamo Colleges. Liberal arts freshman Karen Elliot, also an ASL interpreter at this college, told Nyong students are getting confused about which adviser they should see. “I’ve recently started listening to students who were talking about having that assigned adviser and being really unsure about whether they need to visit them, go to general advising in Moody or — say they’re in a major concentrated field already — a lot of the departments with majors already have an adviser there,” Elliot said. Nyong said it is something the board can look into.
Miguel Gonzalez, an English-as-a-second-language sophomore who has a bachelor of science degree in information technology from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and is a member of Hackers and Crackers, talks about hacking and cyber security at the Student Government Association meeting Oct. 3 in Loftin. Alison Graef Elliot also brought up the campus carry law, which takes effect in fall 2017 for two-year colleges. She suggested this college should consider a free course or seminar so students know how the law will affect them. “We have talked about having forums,” Williams said. “Really, we’re just waiting on the students’ input and really when you guys feel these forums would be best to have.” Students have not been voicing their opinion to SGA about the campus carry law, Williams said. The SGA agreed forums would be beneficial in either spring or summer. In other business, a Hackers and Crackers club member did a presentation on hacking. “Hackers are not necessarily bad people,” said ESL sophomore Miguel Gonzalez. Hackers and Crackers meets noon-3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday in Room 324E of Nail Technical Center. “We’re computer enthusiasts, and the professors share their
See SGA, Page 3
Tuition comparisons between the Alamo Colleges and community colleges around Texas revealed that students could take classes online at the Dallas County Community College district for far less money than in person at the Alamo Colleges. Deeper comparisons reveal larger enrollment sizes and tax bases in Dallas and Houston; both are important factors in the overall tuition rates at these colleges. The latest enrollment numbers available, which go back to fall 2015, show a much larger student population at the other colleges compared with the Alamo Colleges. Alamo Colleges had 59,910 enrolled students for fall 2015. Ann Hatch, district director of media relations, provided Dallas’ enrollment numbers for fall 2015 to The Ranger: 72,765 students. Hatch said colleges and universities use fall totals as benchmarks for comparison because spring enrollments are historically lower. The Houston Community College District website lists its fall 2015 enrollment numbers at 69,293. With about 12,000 more students attending Dallas and almost 10,000 more students at Houston, this leaves a significant difference in student population and revenue for the colleges. Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said enrollment numbers might play a big part in tuition costs because of economies of scale, as fixed costs wouldn’t increase due to flat rates, but more students also equal more costs. “Since most of our costs are instruction and student support costs that also increase when enrollment increases, the revenues from additional students cover the cost to add course sections, instructors, etc.” Snyder said every community college is different and some have different abilities in how much they can tax. Snyder said places like Dallas produce a lot more tax revenue because of the metropolitan area they’re in. In addition, the property values in
See TUITION, Page 3
People
2 • Oct. 10, 2016
www.theranger.org/multimedia
Scholastic scholars
Business administration freshman Rozina Dhanani and political science freshman Monica Castro peruse the Campus Activity Board’s book fair Oct. 5 on the east side of Loftin. Scholastic Book Fairs will give a percentage of proceeds to the outreach and recruitment department, which will then donate them to causes such as the Reading Buddy program, Big Brothers Big Sisters and various libraries. Alison Graef
Needling nurses Level 1 nursing student Daniella Martino observes Level 1 nursing student Angela Larkin measure air in a vial of insulin in Dr. Valerie Noel’s Professional Nursing Competencies class Oct. 4 in the nursing complex. To get the correct amount of pressure in the vial, students have to measure how much air is in the vial. The nurses were practicing medical administration — oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous and insulin. The nurses were also practicing how to mix long-acting and practice insulins for patients. There is a shortage of nurses in Texas, which is also a national issue. In Texas by 2020 vacancies will need to be filled. The nursing program here has 600 applicants, but fewer than 100 are admitted. See story online. Aly Miranda
On the defense Psychology sophomore Marlene Diaz executes a counter-manuever on communication sophomore Rebekah Navarro, loosening Navarro’s grip, during Self-defense 1 in Gym 2 of Candler Oct. 3. Self-defense 1 meets 9:25-10:40 a.m. Monday and Wednesday in Gym 2, Brandon A. Edwards
today
tues
wed
thur
fri
sat
NVC Event: Register to vote 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Room 109 of Huisache. Continues through Tuesday. Call 210-486-4004.
PAC Event: Texas A&M San Antonio recruiters 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 101 of the student center. Call 210-486-3131.
PAC Event: Domestic Violence Awareness Month clothesline project T-shirts due 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 100 of the student center. Call 210-486-3125.
SAC Event: Resource Fair 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-436-0125.
SAC Event: Safe zone training 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: Clothesline Project T-shirt designing 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the patio of the empowerment center. Continues Tuesday. Call 210-486-0455.
SAC Event: Alcohol Awareness with San Antonio Police Department 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-486-0127.
NVC Event: Breast cancer awareness event 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Rooms 121-122 of Cypress. Call 2104866-4010.
SAC Event: Volleyball noon-2 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 210-486-0125.
Event: Technology Entrepreneurship Boot Camp 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on the ground floor lobby of the main building at UTSA. Call 210458-4160.
SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage Month: Mexican-American Studies Chicano history research presentation 11 a.m. in the library on the fourth floor of Moody. Call 210486-0125. SAC Event: Live in Loftin music series 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-4860125. SAC Meeting: Student Government Association noon-1 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Campus Activities Board 2 p.m. in Room 150 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Meeting: Society of Women Engineers 4-5 p.m. in Room 204 of Chance. Call 210-486-1825. Event: Zumbathon 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Denman Galleria of the university center on the UTSA main campus. Call 210-458-4160.
Event: SA AIDS: Free HIV testing 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the student health services on the UTSA main campus. Continues through Wednesday. Call 210-458-6809. NLC Event: Learn to Make Mocktails 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the opportunity mall of the student commons. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-5404. PAC Event: Our Lady of the Lake University recruiters 11 a.m.1 p.m. in Room 101 of the student center. Call 210-486-3131. NVC Meeting: Filipino Student Association noon-1 p.m. in Room 204 of Manzanillo. Call 210-4864010. Event: Cupcake Day noon-2 p.m. in the kitchen of the H-E-B University Center on the UTSA main campus. Call 210-458-6044. SAC Event: Pingpong 2-4 p.m. in the game room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: San Antonio AIDS Foundation free testing 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-4860127. SAC Event: Drag Queen Bingo 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Puppy Day 11 a.m.1 p.m. in the mall. Continues Thursday. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Clothesline Project Walk at noon starting at the empowerment center. Call 210486-0455. PAC Event: “Quijote’s Soldiers: A Local History of the Chicano Movement, 1966-1981” 12:301:30 p.m. in the student center. Call 210-486-3125.
PAC Lecture: Author Carlos Flores 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the student center. Call 210-486-3125. SAC Event: LGBTQ History in Your Curriculum workshop 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in Room 208 of Moody. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Zumba fitness craze 3-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Coed flag football 3-7 p.m. in Olmos Basin Park. 651 Devine. Call 210-486-0125. SPC Event: Step and stroll contest 6:30-9 p.m. in the gym of the health and fitness center. Call 210-486-2135.
SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club 1:30 p.m. in the writing center in Room 203 of Gonzales. Call 210-264-6039.
Event: Art Party Gallery Talks: Art on Tap 5:30-6 p.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free with paid museum admission. Call 210-978-8100.
NVC Event: Adopt-a-road clean up 9-11 a.m. next to Pecan. Call 210-486-4010. Event: Trinity Market 9 a.m-1 p.m. campuswide. Call 210-9998843.
SPC Event: The Blue and White alumni mixer and dance 6 p.m.-11 p.m. in Bowden. Call 210-4862135.
Event: Last day of Fiestas Patrias de Mujer Artes exhibit and art sale 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 1412 El Paso. Call 210-288-0201.
PAC Event: Teatro Palo Alto presents “Alicia” 7-9 p.m. in performing arts center. Call 210-486-3125.
Event: 10th annual Rowdy Rec Run 5K 4:45-5:45 p.m. at the UTSA campus recreation center. Call 210-458-6726.
Event: UCinema Night: “Purge Election Year” 9-11 p.m. on the university center lawn. Continues 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday in the Denman Galleria of the university center. Call 210-458-6044.
PAC Event: “Entre Guadalupe y Malinche” readings and exhibit 7-10 p.m. in performing arts. Call 210-486-3125.
sun
Event: Trinity men’s Soccer vs. Centenary noon-2 p.m. at Trinity McGinlay Soccer Field. Call 210999-8843.
NLC Event: “Enlightened Knights” fall 2016 Art Club campus exhibit 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Room 106 of fine arts. Call 210486-5404.
Event: Trinity women’s soccer vs. Centenary 2-4 p.m. at Trinity McGinlay Soccer Field. Call 210999-8843.
SAC Event: Fashion Show practice 2-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. Estefania B. Alonso
For coverage in People, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Oct. 10, 2016 • 3
Sheriff tells of own abuse in domestic violence lecture By Sasha D Robinson sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Achieving the rank of major general in the U.S. Air Force, becoming a vice president of USAA and being elected Bexar County sheriff could not have prepared Susan L. Pamerleau to handle domestic violence, she said Tuesday at Palo Alto College. Now commanding the nation’s 11th largest sheriff’s department, Pamerleau told an audience of about 30 about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. Her lectured kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Palo Alto. “There are things that prepared me to be your sheriff that don’t have to do with my résumé,” she said. “I think there are other things that prepared me just as much, and those are my personal experiences that made me a better sheriff because I believe that shaped my understanding in our community,” Pamerleau said. Pamerleau said her husband mentally, emotionally and physically abused her. When she and her husband went to a marriage counselor in 1978, she said the counselor asked her, “Why the hell are you still with this guy?” With help from the counselor, Pamerleau gained courage to leave her husband. One night when Pamerleau called her husband, he attempted ploys to get her back. Pamerleau’s husband told her he was going to kill himself and asked if she wanted to hear it. When Pamerleau hung up the phone, her husband killed himself. “Had I not asked for help on how to tell, I would be dead today,” Pamerleau said.
Students at Palo Alto gather Tuesday to hear Bexar County Sheriff Susan L. Pamerleau on Domestic Violence Awareness Month in performing arts. Sasha D. Robinson Pamerleau encourages any who are victims or know someone who is a victim to speak out against domestic violence. Rhonda O’Cana, personal counselor for Palo Alto College, was happy for the turnout and hopes the college will observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month as an annual event and also plan an event for the spring. Pre-pharmacy freshman Katlyn Hamaker, president of Club Stand, said her son’s father beat and raped her.
VISIT from Page 1
TUITION from Page 1
stunned if it didn’t happen.” Here at this college, visits were canceled on short notice and recommendations were made with no reasoning or details given, said Dr. Lisa Zottarelli, this college’s SACSCOC liaison and sociology professor. Among those the committee canceled was a meeting with faculty. An event scheduled for faculty to hear about concerns related to the site visit turned into a one-on-one interview with The Ranger as no one showed. Zottarelli said SACSCOC doesn’t have to provide reasons for noting a standard needs to be addressed. “When SACSCOC comes in, when they are doing a site-visit, we host them. We are making sure they are comfortable, but they make all decisions about who they want to talk to,” Zottarelli said. “They get to make those decisions, and we don’t get to ask why.” Zottarelli said the visit to this college was a four-hour period Tuesday morning and typical visits last multiple days. Zottarelli said the recommendations were given to President Robert Vela with very little input. “What we will get in a month is a letter like the one from July, with, hopefully, details, so that we can look at what exactly is specified,” Zottarelli said. On whether this process holds up this college from improving, Zottarelli said this college is always improving. “Accreditation reminds us to look critically at what we are doing … but we will continue to look at what we can improve,” Zottarelli said. “This is really about continuous improvement,” Zottarelli said. “Academics moves a little slower, but thoughtful, deliberative moving forward in directions we need to move forward in are really important things. However, this process gives us time to think and reflect as a college. “This process is about student success … so I would rather do it right and be slower about it than anything else, because that’s where we benefit the students,” Zottarelli said.
Dallas produce a ton of money for them, she said. The effective tax rate at Dallas is $0.115187/$100, which means if a house is valued at $100,000, the tax on the house would be $115.18. The 2016 property tax rates in Houston list the effective tax rate at $0.099000/$100, which means if a house is valued at $100,000, the tax on that house would be $99. The effective tax rate at the Alamo Colleges is $0.141765/$100, which means a house valued at $100,000 would equal $141.76 in taxes. The combined tax rate at Alamo Colleges is $0.149150/$100, which would bring the tax to $149.50 if the house is valued at $100,000. Snyder said tuition isn’t raised often because the tax rate has produced more money
A student group, Club Stand, has formed this semester at Palo Alto to spread awareness of domestic violence and child abuse. Pamerleau was elected sheriff Nov 6, 2012, becoming the first woman to be elected to the post. The Republican candidate is up for re-election Nov. 8 facing Democrat Javier Salazar, Libertarian Party candidate Larry Ricketts and Green Party candidate James Dorsey. Other events at Palo Alto for Domestic Violence Awareness Month include Lunch
because of property values going up in Bexar County. Tax bases for the three colleges have Dallas on top with $212.3 billion, then Houston at $188.7 billion and Alamo Colleges with $123.6 billion. This is a tax base difference of $88.6 billion between Dallas and the Alamo Colleges. Snyder said large systems, such as Houston, have such a large tax base that they produce equal property tax revenues with a much lower tax rate. Community colleges in Texas have property taxes to cover all maintenance and operations. Snyder said by Texas law, the state was to provide funding for education so that tuition rates could stay low and provide the public good of education in open access institutions such as community colleges. “The state has not priori-
SGA from Page 1 knowledge with us, and we practice,” Gonzalez said. The club has a lab that doesn’t have internet “to play with the computers, to try to hack them, or try to scan it, to find out everything,” he said. The club has competed in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition against other colleges. There are three types of hackers, Gonzalez said. A white-hat hacker is “the good guy who asks permission before he attacks your computers,” he said. They introduce themselves and then write a report on the computer vulnerability for the company. “The black hat are the bad guys. These
and Learn sessions 12:30-1:45 p.m. Oct. 18 and 27. On Oct. 18, criminal justice Instructor Lynn Parker will discuss “real life, real people and real cases” in the performing arts center. On Oct. 27, Executive Director Patricia Castillo will discuss the P.E.A.C.E initiative in the Legacy Room of Ozuna Library. Students who want to attend must sign up in Room 101 of the student center. For more information, call the student life office at Palo Alto at 210-486-3125.
tized education as high as other things they fund, and have slashed education funding over the years,” Snyder said, In terms of budgets, Houston and the Alamo Colleges aren’t too far apart, but once again Dallas towers over both. According to the Dallas website, the operating budget for Dallas is more than $559 million for 2015-16. Houston’s website lists its operating budget for 2015-16 at $324.6 million and the Alamo College’s operating budget for 2015-16 is $328.3 million, according to the approved minute order from a board of trustees meeting July 12. This leaves a difference of about $230.7 million between Dallas and both Houston and the Alamo Colleges. Alamo Colleges’ board of trustees approved an operating budget of $359.2 million for
guys will attack computers or companies and they won’t ask for permission,” Gonzalez said. Black-hat hackers attack and sell the information they find. The gray hat is the white hat and black hat hacker combined. Hacking is legal when a hired hacker who asks permission comes to a company to test the computers to see how vulnerable they are, Gonzalez said. The process of hacking into a computer and checking to see if a computer is vulnerable is called the penetration test or “pentest,” Gonzalez said. The pen-test involves reconnaissance to get complete information, scanning the internet or network, gaining access and covering the tracks, he said.
2016-17 during the board meeting in July. Operating budgets allow the colleges and departments to begin ramping up operations for the upcoming semester. The 2016-17 operating budget for the Alamo Colleges was built with certain assumptions in mind. According to the approved minute order from July, some of the assumptions were enrollment growth, tuition increase, tax rate and compensation increases. “The biggest impact to when we have to raise tuition is when our funding by the state decreases,” Snyder said. “Some years, when we’ve had state cuts, we were also able to avoid raising tuition as we had an unexpected windfall of property values going up, producing more tax revenues to fill that gap.”
To avoid getting hacked, don’t open unknown emails, visit untrusted websites or connect to public Wi-Fi without proper security, Gonzalez said. He also recommends using antivirus and anti-malware software and also suggests people use complex passwords. Last week SGA partnered with Move San Antonio for National Voter Registration Day. “We got 80-something students to register to vote, which is phenomenal,” Williams said. SGA’s Pizza with the President is rescheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday in the craft room of Loftin. Williams advises students to check the SGA Facebook page for updates at https:// www.facebook.com/SACSGA1/. For more information, call 210-486-0133.
Prem
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
Coming out advice Campus to celebr Counselor and GALA members offer help to LGBTQ students. By Zachary-Taylor Wright zwright9@student.alamo.edu
Personal counselors and members of the Gay, Allied and Lesbian Association on campus suggest students considering coming out attend an LGBTQ support group, ensure they are entirely comfortable with their identity and plan for the best time to share their story. Yvonne Schilling, licensed professional counselor, suggests students talk to a counselor before coming out to ensure they develop a support system. “Talk to a counselor first,” Schilling said. “I think it’s something that needs to be explored and processed, so that the person has the support needed when they do come out because it’s a very unique experience, and it can be, depending on their situation, liberating or it can be hurtful.” Ryan Garza, psychology sophomore and GALA member, echoes a similar sentiment. “Make sure you have all the emotional support you need just in case it doesn’t turn out the way you hope it (will) or the way you wanted it to be,” Garza said. “I
had a situation where I was OK, but not everybody gets that same kind of reaction.” Schilling also suggests students pay attention to timing and not coming out over the holidays “because everyone’s got enough stress over the holidays.” Schilling says students should talk to a counselor about whether their environment is safe enough to share their story; she defines safe as a place where students will be accepted and their basic needs will continue to be met after they come out. She suggests that LGBTQ students look into resources such as the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization specializing in crisis intervention and LGBTQ youth social networking, and the Thrive Youth Center, an organization that houses homeless LGBTQ youth ages 17-24. GALA president Aurelio Alcocer says students planning to come out should find a private, calm place to open up to their family or friends. “Make sure that it’s safe, that it’s quiet and that it’s intimate,” Alcocer said. Alcocer suggests friends and family of LGBTQ students sympathize with the apprehension many people feel when coming out. “Some people may not see
it as a big deal, but it’s a very big deal to come out,” Alcocer said. “The person coming out, it’s crazy for them — they’re scared. They have so many emotions going through their mind.” Alcocer and Garza suggest that students test people’s reaction to LGBTQ topics before coming out to family or friends if they fear the reaction may be negative or volatile. “If they (parents) have strict religious views, I would maybe not tell them but hint or just play around with it a little bit because you never know,” Alcocer said. “You may have strict parents that have really strict religious views, but they may push them aside for their kid.” Solomon Johnson, GALA treasurer and communication design sophomore, said, “You have to find the strength in yourself to know that you can make it through life, to know that you are worthy, to know that you are a person that is greatly loved. You are a person of many capabilities. Don’t let what anybody has to say get you down.” Solomon says the process is difficult but worth it “because it’s going to get worse before it gets better, but it does get better. It really does get better.”
His Zachary-Taylor Wright
long we’ve been struggling community. “That they see This college’s LGBTQ History Month will promote before them. That as we be awareness and pride with activities including a screentimes this is the consequenc ing of “Upstairs Inferno,” written, directLee said ed and produced by Robert Camina, do any resea For more at 7 p.m. today in the auditorium of he suggests information, visit McAllister Fine Arts Center. The docuAcademic C www.alamo.edu/ mentary details an act of arson that know more sac/LGBTQtook place in 1973 at a gay bar in New Tiffany C Month16/. Orleans and killed more than 30 people, icy and serv said Jonathan Lee, chair of the LGBTQ “LGBTQ Hi Cultural Committee and history profesfor faculty 2 sor. 208 of Moody Learning Cen Lee described what he hopes students will learn Hernandez will show from watching the film. “I’m hoping that they see how LGBTQ history into her cr zwright9@student.alamo.edu
!
Student discovers strength By Zachary-Taylor Wright zwright9@student.alamo.edu
Solomon Johnson, Gay, Allied and Lesbian Association treasurer and communication design sophomore.. Zachary-Taylor Wright
Revealing one’s sexual orientation to family doesn’t always result in overwhelming support and understanding. Solomon Johnson, treasurer of the Gay, Allied and Lesbian Association and communication design sophomore, didn’t quite receive the acceptance he was seeking, but he found strength in himself and his friends. Johnson, 21, first came to terms with his sexuality in the fourth grade, when he was attracted to a male classmate. “I thought, ‘While everyone else is liking these girls, you like this boy. It’s strange, but you know it feels right,’” Johnson said. Johnson refrained from telling his family until a GALA meeting he attended on campus at 19 inspired him. He described the urgency he felt to come out to his friends and family as an internal anxiety that was too heavy to avoid any longer. “I forced myself out of the closet with them because, you see, everything in my closet was just bunching up, and I just couldn’t conceal myself up in there any longer,” Johnson said. His father is an ordained minister at a Methodist church and told Johnson he could neither love nor accept that part of his life; Johnson’s mother had died when he was 6, but he continued to live with his father despite the unwelcoming response to his coming out. Johnson described the conflicting sense of appreciation he had for
his father’s financial supp the pain his father’s disa caused. “I call it bittersweet bec the bitter part of him not s ing me throughout my wh time — me not having a big circle as a child — which wa hard for me,” Johnson said. Johnson has come to with his father’s disappro still lives with him today. maintains focus on the p around him, such as his ne network of friends in GALA communication design de is seeking. He says he learned to attention from his father tion to his well-being beca father’s inability to accept h negative to welcome into hi Home is not the onl where Johnson was critic his sexual orientation; he w lied and criticized at Sam H High School, where he a his freshman year 2010-11 referring to his high scho “hell hole.” Johnson said he spok teachers, counselors, adm tion and the principal ab experiences, and no solut provided. The San Antonio Inde School District adopted a policy in March 2012, sai Price, the district’s comm tions and printing services tive director. “We fully investigate an of bullying that are brough and work with students a families,” Price said.
miere
Oct. 10, 2016 • 5
Civil rights timeline
rate
1943 — The federal government enacts a law banning
homosexuals from serving in the armed forces. 1951 — The California Supreme Court sides with The Black Cat Bar in Stouman v. Reilly, reinstating the Los Angeles bar’s right to serve alcohol to gay customers. 1952 — The American Psychiatric Association classifies homosexuality as a mental disorder. . 1953 — Kinsey publishes “Sexual Behavior in the Human Female” and continues to raise national awareness.
story Month
g,” Lee said of the LGBTQ e that there’s a generation ecome more visible, somece.” d students aren’t required to arch prior to the viewing, but visiting Room 122 of Chance Center if they would like to about LGTBQ history. Cox Hernandez, public polvice chair, said she will host istory in Your Curriculum” 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in Room nter. how she can incorporate riminal justice courses and
explained the importance of doing so. “It’s our history, and it’s overlooked,” Hernandez said. “U.S. and state corrections systems are struggling to manage all sorts of LGBTQ issues effectively.” She says Celita Avila, distance learning librarian and Quality Enhancement Plan co-director, will show faculty how to create a library guide. Hernandez hopes to help new instructors use the research databases. The series of talks will educate students on the diversity of LGBTQ history, culminating with the “LGBTQ History Showcase” 9:25 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 2 on the fourth floor of Moody. The showcase will present posters showing LGBTQ history and host the San Antonio Prime Timers, an organization of “older men with gay interests,” who will describe the history of LGBTQ residents in this city.
h in coming out
port and approval
cause of supporthole lifeg support as just so . o terms oval and Johnson positivity ewfound A and the egree he
shift his r’s rejecause his him is too is life. ly place cized for was bulHouston attended — even ool as a
ke with ministrabout his tion was
ependent bullying id Leslie municas execu-
ny claims ht to us, and their
Sam Houston High School’s one to save me; I’ve got to save counseling department referred myself. So, that’s what I did, and I The Ranger to the principal’s office; started to have the glow-up of the the principal did not return phone century, something I’ll never turn calls. back from,” Johnson said, referring All of the negativity surround- to the fulfilment he found in being ing Johnson led him to have dark self-reliant and proud. thoughts of self-harm and suicide, At his new school in San Antonio, but he found comfort and strength Johnson was able to expand his in a dream he had of his mother. support group. “I believe she came to me in a Johnson said friends have been dream one time in a field of grass more welcoming to his coming out talking to me. … She said, ‘Son, and it gets easier every time he tells do you love yourself?’ and that’s someone. when I knew I needed to start mak“I was a teary-eyed mess,” he ing change,” said about the Johnson said. first time he told I can’t keep waiting Change is a friend. “Over for someone to save exactly what time it’s just like me; I’ve got to save Johnson made; (second) nature myself. So, that’s what to me — it is he moved away I did, and I started from the school nature, it’s natuthat was harral.” to have the glowboring his torJohnson up of the century, mentors to the joined GALA something I’ll never Healy-Murphy when he first turn back from. Center, a high Solomon Johnson, entered college school that proin 2013; he ran GALA treasurer vides service to for treasurer youth in crisis; because GALA began working on his confidence; helped him come out of his shell and started being honest with him- and he “didn’t want to see a legacy self and others about his sexual go down.” orientation. Johnson now has the wisdom to Johnson found himself being understand that one can’t pick one’s strong and confident — hardly the family, but choosing friends can same person who was struggling to alleviate negative feelings about find the positive and overcome his one’s given family. father’s rejection. “Your family can be your worst Johnson realized he needed to enemy because they know you be his own source of strength; he and they live with you. So, they focused on his confidence and was know just what to do to get to you,” able to become his own support Johnson said. “Your friends don’t system. generally have anything to lose with “I can’t keep waiting for some- you.”
’’
1957 — Allen Ginsberg beats obscenity charges for the homosexual content in “Howl and Other Poems.” 1959 — Customers at Cooper’s Donuts in Los Angeles chase police officers out of the store because they continuously harass drag queens. 1966 — Steve Ginsberg (no relation to Allen Ginsberg) founds Personal Rights in Defense and Education (PRIDE) organization. 1967 — Police attack PRIDE members as they protest police raids of The Black Cat Bar; the group writes a newsletter that later becomes The Advocate. 1969 — Mattachine Society and the ACLU win their first lawsuits against employment discrimination in Scott v. Macy and Norton v. Macy. 1969 — Marginalized LGBTQ patrons at Stonewall Inn protest as police raid and arrest customers. 1970 — The first Gay Pride parades are held in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. 1972 — Nancy Weschier and Jerry DeGrieck become first openly LGBTQ political office holders. 1978 — Harvey Milk, San Francisco Board of Super visors member and LGBTQ activist, is assassinated by city supervisor Dan White; White is later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Foundation AIDS Memorial Quilt honoring victims of the disease is unveiled. 1988 — First World AIDS Day is held to bring all citizens together in the fight against HIV and to honor those who were lost to the disease. 1989 — U.S. Supreme Court rules it is in violation of the Civil Rights Act to discriminate based on a person’s unwillingness to m e e t socially constructed gender expectations in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins. 1993 — The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is formed to uplift LGBTQ military personnel. 1994 — Arthur Dong’s documentary film “Coming Out Under Fire” highlights the difficulties faced by LGBTQ armed forces employees under Directive 1332.14, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” 1996 — Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is signed into federal law, which denies same-sex couples the benefits and liberties awarded to heterosexual couples. 1999 — A federal court in Utah rules that a school denying students the creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is in violation of the Federal Equal Access Act, meaning that students must be granted use of facilities and equal funds to produce their local GSA. 2000 — Transgender people are represented at the National March on Washington for the first time. 2004 — California passes legislation preventing people from employing the victim-blaming tactic after the murderers of Gwen Araujo, a transgender woman, attempted to use a “gay panic” defense. 2004 — Massachusetts Supreme Court rules that DOMA is unconstitutional and becomes the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. 2008 — The murder of Angie Zapata, a transgenderwoman, results in the first homicide conviction to cite a bias-related crime against a transgender person.
1979 — LGBTQ citizens from across the country hold March on Washington, demonstrating the massive changes since the Stonewall Riots.
2009 — After 12 years of pushback, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) is created to expand federal protection to those who experience a hate crime based on perceived gender, sexual orientation or disability.
1982 — The Village Voice newspaper in New York becomes the first company to offer health and benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
2010 — “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is officially repealed; however, the military upholds these policies until the court forces it to stop in 2011.
1986 — Criminalization of same-sex relationships is upheld by U.S. Supreme Court decision Bowers v. Hardwick.
2015 — The U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have a fundamental civil right to marry and legalizes same-sex marriage nationwide.
1987 — About 40,000 Americans are diagnosed and 20,000 have died from HIV or AIDS; NAMES Project
Source: ONE Archives Foundation, the oldest active LGBTQ organization in the United States
Illustrations by Alexandra Nelipa
6 • Oct. 10, 2016
www.theranger.org/editorial
.org
the
ranger
Editorial
Editor Wally Perez Managing Editor Kyle R. Cotton Calendar Editor Christian Erevia Staff Writers Bismarck D. Andino, Raven Arriaga, Y. 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, Sasha D. Robinson, Brianna Rodrigue, Christy Romero Visuals Editor Brandon A. Edwards Photographers Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Deandra Gonzalez, Josue Hernandez, M.J. Martinez Illustrators Estefania B. Alonso, Alexandra Nelipa Production Assistant Zachary-Taylor Wright
@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 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
Listen to faculty, SACSCOC College will have to wait a month for details from site visit. Faculty at this college were left disappointed when meetings with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges were canceled last week during the on-site team visit from SACSCOC. The site-visit team was said to be on a tight schedule and so was unable to keep commitments to faculty. Because faculty did not get the chance to share their concerns with SACSCOC, The Ranger will do so in the hopes the information reaches members of the on-site committee. A recent statement by NVC faculty lists 18 points of emphasis in regard to the deferred re-affirmation. Some read: • This executive (Chancellor Bruce Leslie) interference in curriculum matters is in clear violation of
SACSCOC comprehensive Standard 3.4.10 and Standard 3.4.1. • The ongoing implementation of board policy E.1.3 by the district vice chancellor of academics in defining “curricular maps” infringes upon the ability of the NVC faculty to innovate curriculum in new programs and the autonomy of the faculty to evaluate the transferability of courses in violation of the principles of accreditation cited below. Standard 3.4.10 reads: The primary responsibility for the content of curriculum is with the faculty. • The SACSCOC principles of accreditation state that: “Accreditation expects an institution to develop a balanced governing structure designed to promote institutional integrity, autonomy, and flexibility of operation.” • Leslie’s policy guidance to the ACCD board to defy the accrediting principle of autonomy through policy creation and the above and other
circumventions of established faculty-controlled curriculum change processes by district-level executive interference have likely been the primary cause of NVC’s deferred reaccreditation; The statement ends with NVC reaffirming its vote of no confidence in the chancellor because both his executive leadership and policy guidance to the board have likely been the primary cause of NVC’s deferred reaccreditation application. These and many other points did not reach the SACSCOC on-site team because of canceled meetings. For transparency purposes, President Robert Vela should let employees at this college know any detailed information available. The college needs to be transparent about this whole process so employees aren’t left guessing about what’s going on in the workplace.
Tuition needs more benefits Changes need to be made if tuition schedule approved. Alamo Colleges trustees are considering a tuition and fee schedule that would unbind the single rate for one to six hours and go to a rate of $86 per hour, which would significantly increase the cost to attend full-time. The idea is to encourage students to take a full-time course load with the prospect of three to six credit hours free in the summer. We’ve already covered how this fails to take into account the needs of the average part-time student, but if this passes, there are changes that can be made to make this system more successful, even if district officials say they won’t be making any additional funds. The first would be to extend lab resources that have been cut over the last few years. Students need these resources to succeed, yet they tend to be the first cuts when funds are short. This cer-
tainly isn’t putting students first. Additionally, extend work-study opportunities. Many of the positions departments and offices relied on have been cut. Almost 80 percent of the student population of the district is listed as part-time. They need their income supplemented, and the only way the Alamo Colleges can do that is by giving students an alternative source to replace what they lose by taking more hours. However, those are minor concerns when it comes to this plan. The big issue is the summer term itself. Right now those three to six free credit hours offer very little to students. Unlike the fall and spring semesters, the offerings in summer are paltry. When students try to enroll in those free credits, they will realize the courses they need are not offered. Any student at 54 hours can’t use their free credits because the courses they need are related to a major and most departments do not offer advanced courses in the summer.
Some departments don’t offer anything in the summer. The main reason is the faculty concern with this proposal. Full-time faculty don’t want to teach in summer because the level of compensation they receive is significantly less than what they receive in the fall or spring. This cut was in response to a shortfall in the state budget. How does this incentive work if there are no teachers for the courses? Some might suggest adjuncts. That is absurd. They aren’t required to keep regular office hours and probably teach at other colleges. That is not the way for students to succeed. That is just a cursory glance at some of the things that need to be addressed. If this is truly about the students, make these changes before going forward with a hollow incentive. Every discussion these days seems to be centered on student success. Now is the time for action rather than just more talk.
Pulse
www.theranger.org/pulse
Oct. 10, 2016 • 7
student 101
Rangers win opener 85-78
Address stress
With 3-pointers and personal fouls, the Rangers’ deep bench allows them to power through overtime.
Counselors recommend exercise, deep breathing and strong social network.
By William A. Peters
By Y. Arroyo
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This college’s men’s basketball team defeated the University of the Incarnate Word 85-78 in a nail-biter of a first game that went into overtime Wednesday night. The Cardinals won the tipoff and took the first basket in UIW’s Wellness Center. The Rangers countered with a volley of 3-point shots in the first minutes to pull ahead and maintain a lead. Kinesiology freshmen Gabriel Hilderbrand started the 3-point barrage right out of the gate, giving the Rangers an early lead 5-4. Tensions were high as the Cardinals managed to keep the game competitive thanks to multiple fouls by the Rangers. Timeout was called with 9:34 on the clock, and coach Louis Martinez asked his players to find their man. He said they Women’s game “need to stay awake,” urging them to react coverage at faster and maintain good man-to-man theranger.org. coverage. Nearing the end of the first half, the Rangers led 36-35 with less than a minute to play. Real estate sophomore Ricky Myers broke free and drove the ball through the paint for 2 points with only one man able to cover him. The Cardinals reciprocated by scoring immediately, leaving the Rangers with a 1-point lead, 38-37, at the end of the first half. Martinez said going into the second half the Rangers needed to “play better defense.” The Cardinals weren’t making many of their shots, but they were free to take them and they were scoring free attempts with fouls. The Rangers started strong the first half of the game with seven 3-pointers allowing them to keep up with the Cardinals, who stayed in the game because of the excessive fouling against them. The Cardinals started the second half strong, scoring two baskets back-to-back, pulling ahead 41-38 and maintaining that lead for a majority of the second half. The Rangers were plagued by personal fouls resulting in free throws for the Cardinals, who capitalized on free shots by making five of eight taken in the first 12 minutes of the second half. With 7:11 left on the clock, the Rangers battled back from their deficit to within 1 point of tying the score, with Myers throwing the ball in the hoop from the baseline. With 6:09 on the clock, kinesiology freshman Adam Villanueva scored a 3-point shot to pull ahead 65-63. The lead didn’t last long: Nine seconds later the Rangers fouled and the score was tied once again. At 3:54 on the clock, timeout was called. Martinez urged his players to keep up the pressure, reminding them they can’t keep having bad turnovers. The Cardinals scored two more baskets before engineering freshmen Fabian Chavarria sunk a 3-pointer to tie the score 71-71 with less than two minutes left to play. Continuing to rally, the Cardinals scored again, but kinesiology freshmen Lorenzo Vela countered by charging into the paint to again tie 73-73 with 28 seconds left.
Criminal justice sophomore Roscoe Parson muscles through defenders for the go-ahead layup Oct. 5 in the Cervera Wellness Center. Brandon A. Edwards The second half ended in a tie 73-73, bringing the first game of the season into overtime. The Cardinals took possession of the ball in overtime and scored a fast 2 points. Villanueva scored quickly as well to bring the game to a tie. With two minutes left to play, Villanueva sunk a 3-pointer from 50 feet away that pushed the Rangers ahead 78-75 and created the momentum that carried them to victory. Villanueva was the top scorer for the Rangers with 18 points. With the momentum on his side, Hilderbrand nailed a layup, then gained possession of the ball again to make a quick pass to Chavarria, who was wide open in the paint, resulting in another basket, increasing the Rangers’ lead by 8 points with one minute left. The Cardinals tried to come back, sinking a shot for 3 points in the last 30 seconds, but the deficit was too much and there wasn’t enough time left. After the game Martinez said, “We have a lot to work on. ... It’s our first game, so I mean, practicing is different. You go to practice and see the same guys every time. Once you get out here and see something different other than what your team is doing, you have to try to adjust.” Martinez gave credit to his team’s stamina and win in overtime. “We have a deep bench so we are able to run and stay fresh,” he said. Martinez said, “You don’t know what to expect” in the season’s first game, but now that it is done, “we can go back and work on things.” The Rangers gave up 14 total points because of personal fouls, racking up over 20 through the course of the game. The team plays Texas A&M-San Antonio at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Candler Physical Education Center.
Film shares Hispanic origins Producer promises a new understanding of being Latino. By Sasha D. Robinson sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The documentary “Despierta” by Medina Productions will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. “Despierta” is based on the history of indigenous people, such as the Incas, Aztecs, native Americans and builders of Machu Pichu. Producer Justin Medina wanted to bring to light the history of the Latino community and its origins. “A lot of information is given to us about what Latino or Hispanic heritage is,” Medina said in a phone interview Sept. 25.
Despierta means “awake” or “wake up.” The documentary is a call for Latinos to take a look at their history and open their minds to different possibilities of where their origins may be and not what is recorded in books, he said. “Can you salsa? Can you make rice and beans? How do you speak Spanish? Like there is a barometer to be Latino,” he said. “What was it that made us what we are prior to being told this is what it means to be Latino or Hispanic?” Medina studied in Mexico, Argentina and Peru in 2008 where he learned a different perspective on Latino and Hispanic heritage that will be explained during the documentary. “This is not an attack on academia or mainstream media, but let’s be honest,” he said. “There
is so much indoctrination with our people from what we see on TV and what we hear in school that it is hard to get out of the mindset.” Tony Morales, the “Despierta” coordinator for South Texas, met Medina through networking forums and in New York to hear the research at an interactive presentation with his research partner Angel Medina (no relation) in November at the Latino Cultural Center in Harlem. The response was so positive they decided to make a documentary. Morales invited Medina to show “Despierta” in San Antonio. Morales chose this college because of the demographics and graduation rate. Hispanics make up 60.5 percent of students at this college, according to the Alamo Colleges website.
As community college students and working adults, many students deal with stress. Sometimes they may not know how to deal with it. This may affect them in more ways than they can imagine and can hamper everyday duties. College students, especially freshmen, are prone to stress since they have to adjust to a new social environment and maintain good grades, according to a study by the College Student Journal. If stress isn’t handled effectively, it can affect students physically, emotionally and behaviorally. “We see a lot of students seeking help for depression and anxiety, which can result from stress,” Counselor Melissa Sutherland said. So what is stress? “Stress is the body’s reaction to stressors,” Sutherland said. “Those can be mental stressors or physical stressors, such as healthrelated issues.” Stress isn’t always a bad thing. It can actually motivate students to accomplish their goals, said kinesiology Adjunct Diego Torres. Unmanaged stress can be harmful to students’ health and their ability to focus on goals. Students may end up feeling more stressed nowadays because many juggle working and school. Many have trouble balancing work, school and a personal life. That’s where the stress kicks in. Torres said signs of stress include shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety and panic attacks. The biggest thing is balance, Sutherland said. Being organized, having a schedule and keeping a routine can reduce stress, Sutherland said. Sutherland and Torres said the following strategies can help: • Get enough sleep. Too much sleep can be just as harmful as not enough sleep. • Be mindful, but don’t overthink. • Meditate. • Try breathing exercises. Inhale and exhale deeply to allow the body to relax and wind down. Breathing exercises help clear one’s thoughts and control anxiety. • Drink plenty of water and adopt a healthful diet. • Exercise or take a kinesiology class. This encourages movement and the release of endorphins, the “happy hormones.” • Don’t procrastinate. Time management is key. • Schedule social time in the week and have fun. • Have a support system, such as family or friends. Stress can be good and bad, but learning to manage it is important to live a long, healthy life. For more help, visit counseling services on the first floor of Moody Learning Center.
8 • Oct. 10, 2016
Premiere
www.theranger.org/premiere
Left and above: The annual SACtacular event in the mall offers booths, games and entertainment. File
SACtacular beckons community for a night of fun Music, a movie and activities offer something for all ages. By Brianna Rodrigue sac-ranger@alamo.edu
This is the fourth year SACtacular will bring the community on campus for a collegewide block party and showcase of departments and clubs 5-9 p.m. Friday. “SACtacular showcases everything SAC, and we have invited all departments and organizations that are affiliated with the school to set up,” Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist, said. The SACtacular committee started planning in midsummer, Hernandez said. President Robert Vela funded $10,000 for the annual event, and student life chipped in another $1,800 for a rental screen and showing of “The Secret Life of Pets,” she said. “It is important for the community to let them know that we are here for them — like
whenever their kids or grandkids are ready to come to school, we are here,” Hernandez said. “It’s a great way to show off our departments.” Psychology sophomore Harley Williams, president of the Student Government Association, enjoyed SACtacular last year and is excited for this year. “I thought it was amazing with a lot of free, fun things to do,” Williams said. “I think it is important for students to go because they can unwind and de-stress for a few hours.” Clubs can raise money by selling food. “SACtacular is just another fundraiser for clubs to raise money and to come have fun with the people that come to school with us,” said nursing freshman Miranda Valderas, secretary of the Campus Activity Board. CAB will be selling popcorn, sodas and candies, Valderas said. The Student Veterans Association will
offer chicken wraps for $2, said President Manuel Gonzales, real estate sophomore. The Future Teachers Association will sell Frito pies, English Professor Mary Anne Bernal said. The Social Work Student Association will sell drinks for $1, social work and sociology Instructor Bea Perez said. The K-Club will have a table and pass out fliers to attract members. The ‘K” stands for kinesiology. “There will be a lot of students out there,” President Patrick Elizondo, kinesiology freshman, said. “I think this will help people to join.” Communication design will display web page layouts, experimental typography, book covers and infographics produced by students in fall 2015 and spring 2016. The exhibit, “Best Portfolio of Student Work,” will showcase 57 digital works chosen by faculty from 200 submissions, program
Coordinator Joel Knocke said. The works will be displayed on the second floor of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building at Courtland Place and Main Avenue. Other activities are food trucks, animal shows, an inside kids zone, balloon animals, planetarium shows, face painting and a caricature artist. The Finding Friday band will perform as well. EcoCentro will have a booth with handouts and composting demonstrations. Hernandez encourages people to come so they can see what the college offers. Students and staff interested in volunteering at SACtacular can sign up in Room 260A of Loftin Student Center. For more information, contact Hernandez at 210-486-0128. Nicole Bautista, Christian Erevia, Aly Miranda, Sasha D. Robinson and Christy Romero contributed to this story.