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Volume 91 Issue 6 • Oct. 24, 2016
210-486-1773 • Single copies free
Halloween Students can have a good time with Halloween events. Page 4
Tuition increases this spring Two trustees question the change from fall 2017. By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
After two weeks of gathering data and input from students, the in-district tuition schedule was approved during the board of trustees monthly meeting Tuesday
at the Alamo Colleges Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels. In-district students should prepare to see an increase in tuition as the cost changes to a flat rate of $86 per credit hour.
Under the increase, the cost would be $258 for three credit hours, $516 for six hours, $774 for nine hours, $1,032 for 12 hours and $1,290 for 15 hours. 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 new fast completion incentive plan, students who follow a two-year plan obtain up to six free credit hours in the summer if they earn a combined 24 credit hours in the fall and spring. Students will see the effect of the new schedule in spring 2017. District 3 trustee Anna
Bustamante was the only trustee who voted against the motion to approve the change. Bustamante also voiced concern during the Audit, Budget and Finance Committee meeting Oct. 11. Bustamante said the two weeks
See TUITION, Page 3
online now Students of any age can succeed in college Ranger wins at journalism conference in Houston Transfer fair brings opportunity to students
Registration requires PIN number Stretch
Psychology sophomore Edwin Velazquez goes one-on-one against computer programming freshman Okhai Omotuebe to reach as far as they can to attach a beanbag to Velcro on the bungee run, while getting pulled back by a harness. Velazquez won with two out of three beanbags.
The Campus Activities Board hosted Octoberfest Oct. 19 in the mall. Students and staff members chose from 12 food booths set up by clubs and organizations and competed against one another on the bungee run or inside an inflatable boxing ring. Brianna Rodrigue
Board passes legislative agenda Master’s degree for dual credit teachers is one of the priorities. By Wally Perez
gperez239@student.alamo.edu
The board of trustees approved the legislative agenda for 2017 during a regular board meeting Tuesday at the Alamo Colleges Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels. The board’s legislative ad hoc committee is composed of District 1 trustee Joe Alderete, District 2 trustee Denver McClendon and District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate. The committee met with Chancellor Bruce Leslie and Leo Zuniga, associate vice chancellor of communication, Oct. 7 to discuss the agenda for final approval. According to the approved minute order, the agenda consists of funding, supplemental policies and recommendations. The funding of $1.8 billion is requested to support the Texas Association of Community Colleges’ legislative agenda. The funding is spread across core operations, student success and instruction. Core operations are allotted $75 million, student success is allotted $186.6 million and instruction is allotted $1.57 billion. Some of the supplemental policies include authority for community colleges to offer baccalaureate programs and a requirement for universities to establish transferfriendly policies such as adopting the common course numbering system. Leslie met with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Tuesday, who seemed to be in favor of baccalaureates at the community college level. Leslie said his main issues were the baccalaureate programs and the transfer friendly policies. Four recommendations were approved to move forward to the Legislature. Zárate said the committee is asking for
District 5 trustee Roberto Zárate waits to comment on this college’s new student orientation program presentation during the regular board meeting Oct. 18 at the Alamo Colleges Central Texas Technology Center. Zárate congratulated this college for having a 98 percent survey participation rate from family members of incoming freshman during student orientations. Brandon A. Edwards no additional unfunded mandates, which is an issue that is consistent with other statewide efforts to address the problem. Another recommendation is to provide the Alamo Colleges a fund of $1 million to focus on developing a model for dual credit/ early college high schools/academies that define measures and strategies to ensure quality in these programs. Zárate said one of the discussions with the delegation in Tarrant County is the need for certified dual credit teachers in high schools. Because of the shortage of master’s degrees among high school faculty, there’s a need to provide financial support for graduate education for high school faculty or industry experts so they might be certified to teach dual credit courses. “We talked about a type of loan program so teachers can get those 18 hours to receive a master’s or a flat out grant,” Zárate said. Zárate said they discussed a type of for-
giveness program, where if a teacher stays with a district for five years, the loan or grant would be forgiven. The last recommendation is to provide a fund of $1 million for equipment/technology, to assist STEM early college programs. The approved legislative agenda for the 85th Legislature can be viewed at https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/ PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=39536458. Zárate said a meeting with the Bexar County delegation involved discussing achievements at the Alamo Colleges, then going to each legislator and discussing priorities. “We went legislator by legislator and asked them eye-to-eye, ‘What are your priorities for the session?’” Zárate said. “One of the revelations was there hadn’t been much thought given to that.” “It allowed us an opportunity to educate them on what to expect in January,” Zárate said.
Credit hours determine when students must meet with advisers. By Rachel Cooper
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students may have noticed the “Be advised” advertisements around campus and on the Alamo Colleges website alerting them that they need a personal identification number, or PIN, to register for spring classes. Some might receive emails from their assigned adviser about setting up an appointment. The notices will guide students to seek help with a new registration process designed to increase their meetings with advisers. “When you start something new, sometimes there is confusion or people don’t know what their role is that they’re supposed to play in order to get what they need,” said Richard Farias, interim dean of student success. The PIN requirement first went into effect in spring 2016, Farias said. The only students affected were those with 45 credit hours, he said. The PIN requirement expanded to students who had 15 or 45 credit hours for fall 2016. Starting spring 2017, students with 30 credit hours also will need a PIN, he said. In spring 2017, “All three milestones — we’re calling them milestones or touchpoints — will be in effect,” Farias said. Registration for spring will open in midNovember, but an official date has not been set, he said. “The goal of PINs is to ensure that students meet with their adviser more frequently than they might have previously,” he said. The idea of the PINs was a joint movement of distance support personnel, the directors of advising and the vice presidents of student success across the district, he said. On Oct. 4 advisers received a PIN report with students’ names and PIN numbers so they could reach out to students, he said. “Once registration starts, if you’re trying to go in and register, it would prompt you for a PIN, if you needed it,” he said. Students have a month and a half to see
See PIN, Page 3
People
2 • Oct. 24, 2016
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Sustainable sketch Architecture sophomore Marisela Plaza designs a house for Instructor Scott Carpenter’s Design 3 class Oct. 19 in Chance. The project is to design a sustainable house for Carpenter’s brother, who is an astronomer, that accommodates him, his family and the weather. Aly Miranda
Pizza
Business management freshman Bobbi Balfor listens to President Robert Vela as he answers her question about tuition increases at Pizza with the President Oct. 13 in the Fiesta Room. Students also complained about the inefficiency and level of helpfulness of academic advisers. Read the story online. Aly Miranda
Braids
Gabriel Guajardo, theater lighting design sophomore, gets his hair French braided by drama sophomore Deresha Nollan Oct. 19 in the fine arts student lounge in Room 111 of McAllister. Alison Graef
today
tues
PAC Event: Border studies exhibit 8 a.m.-9 p.m. in Ozuna. Continues through Sunday. Call 210-486-3125.
SAC Event: Transfer Fair 9 a.m.noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: Free HIV testing 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210486-0127. SAC Event: Pumpkin decorating 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. PAC Event: Afro-Mestizaje music and culture noon-1:15 p.m. in the student center. Call 210-4863125. SAC Meeting: Campus Activities Board 1-2 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. SAC Event: SLAC workshop – learning styles 4-4:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. Event: “Hitchcock High to the NFL: I am Michael Sam” 8-10 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University. Call 210999-8823.
SAC Event: Roaming Ranger video quizzes 10:40-10:50 a.m. in the mall. Continues at 12:0512:15 p.m. and Wednesday. Call 210-486-1775. SAC Event: “Emerald City” fashion show practice 2-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0125. SAC Meeting: Society of Professional Journalists 2:15-3:15 p.m. in Room 209 of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: SLAC workshop – study smarter skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. SAC Event: SLAC workshop – note-taking skills 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165. SAC Event: SLAC workshop – online learning 6-6:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Continues 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Call 210-486-0165. Event: “Take Back the Night” 6-9:30 p.m. outdoor Sombrilla at UTSA. Call 210-4586277.
Piano play Mechanical engineering freshman Nick DeLuna plays improvisation on the piano while talking with his friend Shereen Momin, business and accounting sophomore, Oct. 19 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Alison Graef
wed
thur
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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.
SAC Event: Artist lecture Rick Armendariz 10:50 a.m.-noon in Room 120 of visual arts. Call 210486-0125.
SAC Event: SLAC workshop – stress management 10-10:30 a.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.
Event: Trinity Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. campuswide. Call 210-9998843.
SAC Event: Drag Queen bingo 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
SAC Event: SLAC workshop – learning to learn 1-1:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.
SAC Event: Volleyball noon-2 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 210-486-0129.
SPC Event: Spirit Day. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in center for learning resources breezeway. Call 210-486-2135.
SAC Meeting: Inter-Club Council 2-3:30 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
Event: “Jenny Magnusson: Spill” exhibit 1-5 p.m. in art gallery 110 of Dicke Smith building at Trinity University. Call 210-999-7682.
Event: Health Nest 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Rowdy lawn at UTSA. Call 210-458-8726.
SAC Event: SLAC workshop – test-taking skills 3-3:30 p.m. in Room 707 of Moody. Call 210486-0165.
Event: Trinity volleyball vs. Hardin-Simmons 4-6 p.m. in Sams gym of William Bell Center. Call 210-999-8843.
SAC Event: Zumba! Fitness Craze 3-4 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.
Event: Family Flicks: “Tale of the Night” 5-10 p.m. meet at front desk of San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free with museum admission. Call 210978-8100.
SAC Event: “SAC’s Got Talent” show tryouts 2-4:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210486-0125. SAC Event: Pingpong tournament 2 p.m. in game room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125. SAC Event: Leigh Anne Tuohy speaker rebroadcast 2-4 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Continues 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday. Call 210-486-0125. Meeting: Volunteer Organization Involving Community Education and Services 5-6 p.m. room 2.01.40 of McKinney at UTSA. Call 806-584-7657. SAC Event: Winterizing your home: pipes, plants and pet peeves 6:30-8 p.m. at EcoCentro. Call 210-486-0125.
Ilustrations by Brent Schmuck
SAC Event: Dodgeball tournament 3-5 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Admission is two canned goods per person. Call 210-517-1840. NVC Meeting: Murder Mystery Dinner 6-8 p.m. in the Lago Vista Room of Cypress. Call 210-4864526. SAC Event: Cheshyre Cheese Club open mic coffee night 6:309:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0124. SAC Event: “Dracula” 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $5 with SAC ID. Call 210-4860125.
Event: The Day of the Dead cultural event 6-10 p.m. in Room 040 of Northrup at Trinity University. Call 210-999-7531. Event: Art by the Book: “Raise the Red Lantern” 6:30-8:30 p.m. meet at the front desk of San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Tickets purchased online. Call 210978-8100.
NLC Event: Halloween BOOzar 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the opportunity mall of student commons. Call 210-486-5404. Event: Meditation in the Japanese Gallery 10:15-11 a.m. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. Free with museum admission. Call 210-978-8100. Event: Trinity volleyball vs. UMASS-Boston 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Sams gym of William Bell Center. Call 210-999-8843. Event: Trinity football vs. Texas Lutheran 1-4 p.m. at football stadium. Call 210-999-8843.
sun
Event: Gallery Talk: Museum Highlights 11 a.m.-noon. Meet at main stairs, San Antonio Museum of Art. 200 W. Jones. Call 210-9788100.
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. 24, 2016 • 3
Motivational speaker to share story with high schools “Impact” program offers leadership development and mentoring. By Felicia Mora
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Roy Juarez Jr., a Northwest Vista College graduate who detailed his background as a homeless youth during this college’s convocation in August, will promote the importance of higher education to high school students. The board of trustees on Tuesday approved $140,000 at the request of college President Robert Vela for Juarez to provide motivational speaking and training for students at Southwest, Lanier and Edison high schools. The training is a youth-empowerment and leadership development curriculum, “Impact,” to prepare at-risk students for college “socially, emotionally and culturally,” according to information in the meeting agenda.
PIN from Page 1 if they need a PIN so they don’t end up trying to register during the break and haven’t met with an adviser, he said. “We don’t want it to be a roadblock; we don’t want students piling up at the last minute in the advising centers.” If a student is at 15 hours, the advising session will include the completion of an individual success plan through Alamo GPS, he said. According to the Alamo Colleges website, Alamo GPS is “a web-based tool to help students and advisers monitor a student’s progress toward degree completion.”
family that surrounds them,” Juarez told The Ranger Sept. 28 in a phone interview. Vela told trustees the college has to Juarez said he met with Vela after his prechange something to get sentation at convocation. the attention of high school “After Dr. Vela heard seniors expected to gradumy message, he spoke to ate, according to a video of me about what can we do the meeting. Vela praised together to help to reach Juarez’s unique approach out to young people in their because his message has or the college’s backyard to been proved to reach high make sure we reach out to school seniors. our community,” Juarez said. “I hope that we can pave Roy Juarez Jr. speaking at the Juarez has spoken at a path for many students college’s convocation Aug. 16. local high schools this fall who are first-generation File in his “Find Your Future” college students and show tour. He will be at Lee High them the way because we truly believe that School Nov. 8 and Lanier Nov. 9. He also college education can change the entire has spoken at Southwest and Edison high course of not just the student’s life but the schools, and a date for a visit to Jefferson
Northeast Lakeview social work freshman Tiana Zakariyyaa went to an adviser to complete her Alamo GPS plan. She is currently taking 11 credit hours and didn’t receive a PIN number. “My assigned adviser is at SAC. I just met with one here; it’s the same one I always meet here,” Zakariyyaa said. She went inquiring about which classes will follow her degree plan. Farias encouraged students to meet with their adviser as soon as possible, whether they have a PIN or not. “It’s important for them to start building that relationship early,” he said. When a student has 30 credit hours,
the advising session focuses on a transfer intent, and the 45-hour requirement is to check the completion of a degree as well as transferring, he said. Students can find their assigned adviser on ACES, he said. There is a box located in the middle of “My Page” that lists the adviser. When a student meets with an adviser to get a PIN, it’s also a good opportunity to make sure they aren’t taking courses they don’t need or that will not count toward their degree plan or transfer plan, Farias said. For more information, visit www.alamo. edu/district/advising/pin/.
District 3 trustee Anna Bustamante is the only member of the board of trustees who did not support the tuition increase passed Oct. 18 at the Alamo Colleges Central Texas Technology Center. Bustamante said she wished the board of trustees had received more input from part-time students before coming to a decision as they were the main focus. Brandon A. Edwards
TUITION from Page 1 that was taken to gather data was too little and she wanted to see more input from parttime students as they were the primary target for the increase. It was to encourage students to take more classes. “I wish they would have gotten more input from students, the ones who are actually going to get affected by this,” Bustamante said. She said tuition has been a long discussion, starting some time back with the last mention in spring. “I’m never happy with a tuition increase, and I feel like once students realize it’s an increase, some of them will be upset,” Bustamante said. “I understand how hard it is to get the word out and gather student input, but some more time would have been nice.”
Bustamante said she thought one or two other trustees would have said something and was slightly surprised she was the only one who voted against it. Christopher Scoggins, student trustee alternate and Student Government Association treasurer at this college, said he wasn’t thrilled about the approval either. Scoggins said he wished there had been more time to get more input. He would have liked to see the increase take effect in fall 2017 as was suggested during the committee meeting Oct. 11. Leslie said if they waited to pass the item, students would lose the opportunity for classes this summer. Scoggins said since there is no board meeting in November, the board wanted to vote on the item Tuesday
as voting on the item in December would have been during spring registration which begins mid-November, which isn’t ideal. “The students have spoken and the survey results show they are largely in favor of the tuition change,” Scoggins said. “Since we are the Student Government Association, we are supposed to be the voice of the students, and it seems that they want it.” Scoggins said it would have been nice if they were able to have more time and aim for four-digit survey numbers, but that probably wasn’t going to happen anyway. Although students had a short time frame to respond to the survey, Scoggins said he was proud of the surveying initiatives at SAC. “We had almost 300 responses at SAC in the twoweeks we had and that’s not
nothing,” Scoggins said. Leslie said this tuition change will help to achieve the district’s wildly important goals (WIG) for graduation. “You’ve heard me over and over again; there is no silver bullet, but there is a silver buckshot,” Leslie said. “This strategy with the tuition is again, another one of those silver buckshots that will help us achieve our graduation WIG.” Board Chair Yvonne Katz requested the board meeting at the CTTC during a previous board meeting July 26, even though it is located outside of district lines. It recently completed renovations that included an expansion for additional classrooms and labs. Although the center is located 44 miles from this college, it is legal for the board to meet outside its jurisdiction.
High School has not been set. “Impact” is a new leadership program in which high school seniors will be mentored and taught leadership skills. He developed the program after success as a professional keynote speaker for school districts, universities and corporate America. “I’ve been able to now take my message and build a youth leadership program from it,” he said. Juarez said his message to high school students is, “Understand that life gets better, that education is freedom, and that you have to be the change you want to see, and that change starts with us.” Juarez can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat or at his website www.homelessbychoice.com. See related story at www.theranger.org.
Alamo Colleges pushes options for training As for-profit colleges close around the city, the district steps up. By Kyle R. Cotton
kcotton11@student.alamo.edu
Over the last couple of months students at forprofit colleges, including ITT Tech. Career Point and Regency Beauty Institute, have been shut down by the Department of Education. With students at these colleges left high and dry, the Alamo Colleges and other universities in the area have reached out to those students to be possible alternatives. “Unfortunately, this has been pretty consistent with what has been happening nationally with other for-profits: happens suddenly, students left in the lurch and often with debt and no degree,” Chancellor Bruce Leslie said Tuesday. “So we’ve reached out — and other community colleges and universities as well — and offering opportunity for them to come in, get advised and see where there may be a connection between what they were taking and what we offer.” Leslie said this is a challenge as some of those students have lost access to their transcripts from those institutions as the doors unexpectedly close. “The goal, of course, is to try and help them transition to the Alamo Colleges so they can continue their journey without them losing time and any more money,” Leslie said. “There really is no information from the for-profits. We’re not getting anything from them. They are basically shut down. There is nobody at home so all we can do is invite the students to come in and talk to us.” The Alamo Colleges has already had a couple of sessions at St. Philip’s College and Palo Alto College. “All of our welcome centers are open. Come and talk to us,” Leslie said. “Anything we can do to try and be available to them to just come on in and talk to us. “So far, we haven’t had a lot of responsiveness. I was told (Oct. 17) that maybe 13 students have shown up to talk to us and maybe six are looking at attending, but it’s still early as a lot of students are frankly in shock at what they want to do so I feel there will be more to trickle in,” Leslie said. “Most of these were workforce programs; most of these are students who are looking to get into employment — that’s what appealed to them to go to these colleges: ‘We can get you into a career pretty quickly without having to take the core course that you would have to take at a community college,’ but frankly, we think that’s the advantage that we offer over the for-profits.” Palo Alto College will host an open house of its cosmetology program noon-2 p.m. Oct. 25-26 in the performance arts center auditorium. The Alamo Colleges will host enrollment fairs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 5, Dec. 3 and Dec. 12 at St. Philip’s College’s welcome center and in Building 1 Room B172 at Southwest Campus. For more information on the enrollment fairs, call 210-486-2008.
Prem
4 • www.theranger.org/premiere
The history behind the ghostly night Instructor will give sixth annual special-edition Halloween lecture Oct. 31. By Emily Garcia
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Halloween is believed to have started with the Celts in the British Isles and Iberian Peninsula, which is modern-day Spain, Portugal and parts of France, philosophy full-time Adjunct Ryan Lozano said Oct. 14. Around the year 63 B.C, the Celts were practicing a festival called Samhain on Oct. 31, which was a festival dedicated to the end of year, Lozano said. The Celts believed the beginning of the New Year was Nov. 1. During this festival, the year’s harvest was celebrated and people would make sure they were prepared for the winter, such as slaughtering animals to preserve, and choosing animals to breed during the next spring, Lozano said. Oct. 31 was the beginning of the dark half of the year because the winter months began and there is less daylight, Lozano said.
Estefania B. Alonso
Because the dark half of the year was beginning, the Celts believed that on the day of the Samhain. The barrier between the living and the dead was the thinnest it ever would be throughout the year, Lozano said. “Think of it like a membrane that separates us from the living and the dead, and they thought it was the thinnest or most permeable at this time right before the dark half of the year started,” Lozano said. The Celts believed supernatural beings, called “aos si,” used the day of the Samhain to enter the physical world to roam and play, Lozano said. “The Celts would dress up as mythological figures or supernatural creatures, and that sort of became our tradition of dressing up in costumes,” Lozano said One of the ways to appease the spirits of the night would be to give gifts, usually food, to the people dressed as supernatural beings, Lozano said. “So a person would dress up as a figure of mythology, and you would give them food
Screamfest lures with pumpkins, costumes and frightful food Students can decorate pumpkins today. By Brianna Rodrigue sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The office of student life and Staff Council are preparing for students to have a good time with upcoming Halloween events. A pumpkin decorating contest will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. About 30-40 pumpkins will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist said. Hernandez said there will be paint available for students, but they can bring their own decorations for their pumpkin. Three winners will be announced at Screamfest. This will be the first year this college will host Screamfest, a campuswide Halloween festival, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 31 in the mall. Students and staff can wear Halloween costumes and compete in three categories. Judges are looking for the most creative, the funniest and the scariest costumes. The Halloween costume contest will be at noon, and one winner will be announced per category. “This is the first year for Screamfest, and I am excited about it,” Hernandez said. “I hope all goes well.” Students and staff can participate in the Halloween food-decorating contest. Three winners will be chosen for creations, such as bloodshot deviled-egg eyeballs and bloody finger cookies, Hernandez said. From 4-7 p.m. that day, Staff Council will sponsor Trunk or Treat in Parking Lot 21 south of Scobee Education Center. Trunk or Treat is a version of trick-or-treating. Instead of children going door to door to collect candy, they will go to the trunks of cars to collect candy. The event offers an alternative for children to enjoy trick or treating after the clown scares around the city.
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are warning against a scary prank in which people dressed as clowns reportedly harass others. “I am hoping people do come out especially because of the clown sightings which is so scary for the kids, and I am sure parents are scared to take their kids trick-ortreating,” Hernandez said. “I want a safe Halloween night for kids.” Trunk or treat is open to all students, children and community members. Hernandez said staff and clubs can donate bags of candy. About 12 clubs are participating in Trunk or Treat, Hernandez said, but if any other clubs and organization are interested, contact Hernandez at 210-486-0128 or stop by Room 260A of Loftin Student Center. Sasha D. Robinson contributed to this story.
Alexandra Nelipa
to get them to leave you alone and go away, and then you would bless your house, and that essentially became trick or treating,” he said. In Ireland, people would carve frightening faces into turnips or rutabagas and create lanterns out of them to see their way during that night, Lozano said. This eventually evolved into creating jacko-lanterns for Halloween. As the Christian Church began to expand over Celtic land, the day became the Day of the Dead, followed by All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Halloween began to spread across North America with the Anglican and Catholic churches but was known as All Hallows Eve, Lozano said. “It wasn’t until the late 1800s, early 1900s, that people started doing Halloween as we now think of it,” Lozano said. Lozano has given five special-edition Halloween lectures at this college. His sixth lecture will be “It’s the End of the World as We Know It! A Philosophical Examination of Apocalypse/Revelation” at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Room 207 of Oppenheimer Academic Center. Lozano can be reached at 210-486-0247 or rlozano119@alamo.edu.
Spooktacular safety tips Bags full of candy and a fun night out may be your plans for the evening scene. Campus officers offer tips to stay out of harm’s way this Halloween. • Trick-or-treaters 14 and under should begin their adventure between 5 or 6 p.m. to ensure there is enough daylight for safety. • Check for sex offenders in a neighborhood on www.familywatchdog.us. • Don’t eat candy before checking each wrapper. • Park in a well-lit area; don’t leave anything valuable behind. • When attending a party, text somebody when you leave and get home or check in on social media. • Never leave drinks out of sight or accept drinks from someone else; if something doesn’t feel right, just walk away. • Always have a plan, stay together and have a designated driver or use a service such as Uber. • Be cautious of trick-or-treaters. • Wear masks that do not obstruct vision. • Stay hydrated with water and wear thin underclothes, such as breathable athletic undershirts under heavy costumes. Sources: Jacob Escobedo, Carlos Martinez and Dion Reyes, patrol officers for the Alamo Colleges.
Compiled by Michelle Delgado
miere
Oct. 24, 2016 • 5
Drama sophomore Angelica Manez places a stethoscope on the altar after performing her monologue “Stop and Listen” from the book “The Pain of the Macho and Other Plays” as part of a series of monologues, “A Celebration of Culture, Life and Death,” October 2005. File
Dia de los Muertos for dead and living By Christian Erevia
cerevia@student.alamo.edu
For many, Nov. 1 begins the countdown to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for Hispanic communities around the world, Nov. 1 and 2 mark Dia de los Muertos, celebrated as a way to remember deceased loved ones. Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead” in English, falls on All Saints’ Day but is not a religious holiday. “It is Mayan and Aztec, and it is still celebrated in the Caribbean islands,” said English Professor Irma Luna, who has organized Day of the Dead altars at this college. “They celebrate it differently in San Antonio than they do in New Orleans, but it is very popular in New Orleans. “They have festivals in the cemeteries whereas here we go to the cemeteries and decorate the cemeteries,” Luna said. While decorating cemeteries for Dia de los Muertos is normal in many countries in the Americas, the tradition is not always allowed in the United States. In response, it
has become tradition for Dia de los Muertos participants create altars at home dedicated to their dearly departed. “Constructing an altar is a way of
Alexandra Nelipa honoring the dead,” Luna said. Many cultures use altars to symbolize the dead’s proximity to the heavens, Luna said. Altars are decorated with food, candles and pic-
tures. The items all have a significance and are often things that the loved one would have enjoyed or need in the afterlife. Many people leave their loved one’s favorite food or alcohol. Marigolds also decorate many Dia de los Muertos altars. The flowers symbolize sadness and mourning and are thought to lead deceased souls toward their altars. “The tradition is not as closely followed as it used to be,” Luna said, “but if you go through the center of Mexico, it’s very big.” After falling out of popularity since the 1950s, there’s been a resurgence of interest in Dia de los Muertos with it so close to Halloween. “I think people confuse it as an extension of Halloween, and it really isn’t,” Luna said. Despite being misconstrued with its rediscovery and introduction to pop culture, the holiday still holds meaning and significance for many in the Hispanic community. “I think it’s important for the Hispanic community to keep it
going,” Luna said. “When you assimilate into modern society, we lose some of our background.” Dia de los Muertos is celebrated the evening of Nov. 1, which is dedicated to the deceased, while Nov. 2 remembers those who died in childhood. Nov. 2 is sometimes referred to as the Day of Innocence. This year, students can find Dia de los Muertos events happening all around San Antonio. This college will host a Dia de los Muertos 5K and 10K run-walk at 4 p.m. Oct. 29 in Lady Bird Johnson Park. La Villita will host Muertofest, which will include an altar-building contest, live music and a procession. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will host an altar exhibit as well as a celebration at 3 p.m. Oct. 30. Planet K will host a parade and fireworks show at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Woodlawn Lake Park. “Just because a person is dead doesn’t mean we forget them,” Luna said. “And the more we talk about them, the more they stay in our hearts.”
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
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ast year was the first year liberal arts sophomore Alyssa Trujillo celebrated All Saints’ Day. She said she went to a special Mass for the occasion. “I really like Mother Teresa,” she said. Trujillo has a pendant of St. Teresa of Calcutta, known to many as Mother Teresa, on her bracelet. Pope Francis canonized the late nun and champion of the poor at a Mass Sept. 4 in Vatican City, according to a CNN.com article posted that morning. All Saints’ Day is celebrated Nov. 1 in the western world. Philosophy full-time Adjunct Ryan Lozano, who teaches philosophy of religion at this college, said it is celebrated by Roman Catholics, the Eastern
For the Roman Catholic church, All Saints’ Day is an obligation. “You are required essentially to be at Mass that day,” Lozano said. Sara Garcia, campus minister at this college’s Catholic Student Center, said Mass on All Saint’s Day is a great teachable moment for younger children, who may even dress up as saints for the celebration. “It definitely depends on the age group,” Garcia said. Trujillo, a Catholic student, said she likes that there are photographs of newer saints, like St. Teresa of Calcutta, whereas older saints only have paintings to depict them. Other saints in the canon include St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul and St. Anthony, the patron of San Antonio.
l ip
By Valerie Champion
Orthodox church and Episcopalians, among others. “Generally celebrations are for those who are acknowledged as saints (by the church),” Lozano said. A saint is anyone acknowledged by the church as a holy or virtuous person who has gone to heaven after death. The Catholic church formally chooses them through a process called canonization, in which a panel of theologians and church leaders determine whether a candidate’s life is worthy of sainthood, according to an article on the Vatican website. Lozano said All Saints’ Day officially started in the seventh century in 1609 by Pope Boniface IV. It was originally observed in May to commemorate the Virgin Mary and martyrs recognized by the church. He said this first incarnation of All Saints’ Day aligned with a pagan ritual commemorating restless spirits of the Alexandra Nelipa dead.
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Catholic students will celebrate holy day in November.
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All Saints’ Day honors saints’ lives, work
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6 • Oct. 24, 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, Grace Reyes, Sasha D. Robinson, Brianna Rodrigue, Christy Romero Visuals Editor Brandon A. Edwards Photographers Alison Graef, Aly Miranda Photo Team Deandra Gonzalez, Josue Hernandez 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
Advisers: Be on the same page One question should not have four answers. Requiring advisers to hand out personal identification numbers is yet another step students will have to take to get the answers they’re looking for. In theory, the PINs will require students to see their advisers to register for classes, but it’s not always registration where students become frustrated. The frustration comes from being pushed through this college’s associate degree programs as simply a graduation percentage. We are students who have dedicated time and money to this institution and in return receive inconsistent, incorrect and unclear information. Students should be taken seriously about their ambitions for the future instead of being pressured to pursue a degree they do not want to graduate faster.
Advisers should at least be expected to be up to date when it comes to transferring in or out of this college, but knowledge of internships and class requirements would certainly be helpful. Students should be able to see their academic adviser and their faculty adviser and receive the same answer. Instead students are receiving multiple conflicting answers, which becomes confusing and discouraging. Students depend on their advisers to give them concise, up-to-date and accurate information to achieve the success they came to this college for. Students are expected to show up to class and put in the work for their degrees, and advisers should be held to the same standard. They need to do their homework and stay in the loop, just like the rest of us. And they get paid for it. This college and its advisers are supposed to give students the tools to succeed, and they are not.
Instead of giving students the right tools, they provide just a tool and, unfortunately for the students of this college, you can’t use a screw with a saw. These new PINs are a turnoff for students who opt to see their faculty advisers as opposed to their academic advisers. Who wants to take the time to speak with an adviser whose information is obsolete? Or who just keeps telling you to take that liberal arts degree because you’d only need a few classes more to graduate even though you want to be a doctor? No one. Especially not community college students working hard to succeed. Hopefully, these PINs work because outside looking in, advisers need more than PINs. They need to make a bigger effort toward being in the loop with universities, scholarships and programs. They just need to get it together, period.
Board should meet in county Items acted on should be in the county our trustees represent. If you showed up to Killen Center Tuesday for the Alamo Colleges’ regularly scheduled board meeting to voice your thoughts on a proposed change in tuition, you were probably in shock when you found their meeting room empty. This was because the Alamo Colleges board of trustees decided to hold the meeting — in which they voted on agenda items — at the Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels, away from the county that pays taxes and elected them as trustees. There is nothing wrong with the board wanting to show off the district’s expansion efforts; however, it becomes a big problem when you are removing yourself from the very population you represent and acting on items that affect them. Who thought that was a good idea? It’s no wonder no one showed
up at citizens-to-be-heard, and even trustees showed up late to a meeting that required you to essentially leave by 4 p.m. from this college or risk competing with Interstate 35 traffic. That is not even considering the travel time it would take from Northwest Vista College and Palo Alto College. How are you giving people any opportunity to be heard on an issue outside of a survey with an unacceptable sample size? The Student Government Associations at each of the five colleges conducted a survey through Orgsync, a student life website available on ACES. Of about 60,000 students, 852 responses were received. Students at Pizza with the President Oct. 13 expressed objections to the tuition plan, and The Ranger received letters to the editor also in opposition. None of those students or others who objected showed up in New Braunfels.
If trustees want to use a meeting to showcase something outside of Bexar County, they should call a special meeting with an agenda exclusive to that facility. Now they’ve passed a new tuition schedule without giving citizens an opportunity to express their thoughts on the schedule. That should give the trustees pause. Let’s hope they made the right decision absent the perspective of the people they represent.
correction The headline “3 VP finalists rejected,” in the Sept. 19 issue was incorrect. Dr. Conrad Krueger, dean of arts and sciences, withdrew his name from consideration for the position of vice president of college services. Two finalists were rejected, and a new search is underway.
News
www.theranger.org/news
Oct. 24, 2016 • 7
Rangers pecked by Nighthawks for first loss of season By William A. Peters sac-ranger@alamo.edu
In a game of inches, the men’s basketball team lost 81-76 Wednesday against the Northeast Lakeview Nighthawks. The Rangers failed to rebound many lost shots in NLC’s wellness center. This has worked in the past for 3-point shots, but they needed to be more aggressive in this game, coach Louis Martinez said before the game. “Rebounding, boxing out, making sure everyone gets contact, good touches, getting into the paint,” he said. Midway through the first half, the Rangers were up 30-15. The Nighthawks battled back for 7 points in three minutes after tightening their defense.
A Nighthawk called for teammates to watch the corners. With under a minute left, the team gained a lead of 37-36. In fewer than 30 seconds, criminal justice sophomore Rosco Parson and kinesiology freshman C.J. Salazar landed two 3-pointers for a Ranger lead of 42-37 at halftime. They scored three times to open the second half but lost the lead, 44-42, in a little over two minutes. The Rangers took the lead back 57-48 minutes later by converting rebounds, passing the ball to the open man. The Nighthawks and Rangers tied multiple times, neither team getting a significant advantage. With 6:45 left on the clock, the Nighthawks went on a 7-point run to secure a 75-70 lead. With under two minutes left, broadcasting freshman
Jackson Lyder brought them within 3. With 39 seconds left, Parson intercepted an inbound pass and threw the ball against a Nighthawk to force a turnover. The Rangers tried to move the ball around to open up shots, but each 3-pointer failed to tie the game. The Nighthawks recovered one of the missed shots and were fouled by the Rangers, resulting in two free throws, sealing the Nighthawks victory. It was the Rangers’ first loss, the Nighthawks’ first win. “A tough one to lose,” assistant coach Steve Ochoa said after the game. He said the Rangers need to improve their ball movement and shot selection The team plays Southwest Texas Junior College at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Candler Physical Education Center.
student 101
Etiquette vital for success Punctuality and positive attitude play important roles in classroom manners. By Nicole Bautista
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students at this college stretch before an early morning race at the Mascarita Run 5K Oct. 15 on 10th Street. Marisa Martinez, senior
specialist for student success, organized participation in the race for students who like to participate in running events. Deandra Gonzalez
Students run toward a healthy lifestyle Office of student life specialist encourages participation in community events.
Camargo uses free events student life provides through the student activity fee while enjoying her passion and experiencing different parts of the city. By Miranda A. Holden Camargo and her boyfriend motivated each other throughout sac-ranger@alamo.edu the race with encouraging words to help them dart to the finish Hundreds of local residents joined eight students from this line. college in the Mascarita 5K run sponsored by Andiamo Race Adriana Gomez-Del Campo and her brother José share a pasProductions Oct. 15 at VFW Post 76 on 10th Street. sion for running, attending 10Ks and half marathons. Before sunrise, more than 300 runners registered, activated Three years ago, realizing they wanted to organize races to their personal chip-time devices and slipped into their free motivate others to become active and promote a healthier lifeMascarita T-shirts. style, they launched Andiamo Race Productions Runners gathered at the starting line at 7:30 a.m. to jump-start The concept of the event is to honor Mexican cultural trathe race. ditions while supporting a local “Luchador,” Spanish for wresnonprofit organization, Gomez-Del tler, was the theme, while dozens Campo said. wore colorful masks to represent The pet-friendly event helped their Mexican culture. support Cherry Street Bicycle Students showed their school Co-op, a nonprofit organization pride by forming a team called “Los making bikes accessible for everyLone Rangers” to represent this colone in the community. lege’s mascot. Several dog breeds and sizes Marisa Martinez, senior specialalso participated in the race, wearist of student success, participated ing capes to match their owners. in the event as a way to stay active At the end, the tail-waggers and promote a healthy lifestyle for made a wet mess splashing water students. to rehydrate. “It’s a refreshing way to start your Before the award ceremony morning and be a part of something began, participants snacked on different,” Martinez said. fruit, granola bars and energy After crossing the finish line, drinks while enjoying live music by runners doused themselves with Dylan Loza. free bottled water and rested on A male and female from each picnic tables. age group with the fastest chipMedals and goody bags, includtime were awarded a plaque with ing a free mask, were distributed the face of a luchador wrestler to all participants for completing painted in glittery colors. the race. Students from this college didn’t Psychology sophomore Maricela Math freshman Ingrid Zamora sprints to the finish line to place; however, everyone did well, Camargo is a frequent runner, havcomplete her run at the Mascarita Run 5K Oct. 15 downtown. Martinez said. ing participated in her third 5K this Zamora attended the run with 314 other people who signed For more information on year with Martinez and other stuup and were awarded for their times in different age groups. future races, call Martinez at 210dents from this college. Deandra Gonzalez 486-0129.
Students must view the classroom experience as they would an important job that pays a significant salary, student development Professor Jim Lucchelli recommends. As a result, their education will pay huge dividends in the future. In that sense, classroom etiquette can boost a student’s profitability with the professor, peers and future employers. Punctuality and attendance rank high on the list of basic rules of classroom etiquette. “My philosophy is, if you’re early you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late, and if you’re late, that is unacceptable,” Lucchelli said. Arriving early can allow time to ask questions and to polish assignments. Showing up prepared is a critical part of classroom etiquette. That includes “having completed assignments, as well as developing possible questions to be an active participant in your class,” Lucchelli said. “Learning the material is going to help you relate better to your classmates and your instructor as well as have a positive impact on your grade.” Students must also make sure they understand the policies of the instructor, Lucchelli said. He recommends contacting the instructor or looking through the syllabus for answers about attendance or the use of technology in the classroom. “Multitasking with things such as laptops or tablets negatively impacts your grades and students around you,” Lucchelli said. Biology sophomore Catherine Ramirez recalled many times when she has been distracted by surrounding students in the classroom. “Last week, one student must have watched most of the MTV Video Music Awards during our class period,” Ramirez said. “Aside from that, many students casually check their social media or watch quick videos, that is sometimes distracting.” To make classroom etiquette easier, time management and plenty of sleep can be key. “Sometimes students don’t understand how much energy it takes to go to school,” Lucchelli said. “Guard your health, so you have sufficient energy to allow you to be alert and strong throughout the semester.” Lucchelli recommends the simplest thing a student can do for self and instructor. “I would say that a part of classroom etiquette is coming to class with a positive attitude,” he said. “Attitude is key.”
News
8 • Oct. 24, 2016
www.theranger.org/news
Students are the missing voice in local elections See immediate change by becoming involved in local government, expert advises. By Christian Erevia
cerevia@student.alamo.edu
With national elections taking over the news, it is easy for local elections to fall by the wayside. It is especially easy to dismiss local elections as a busy college student juggling classes, work and a social life. Local elections should not be ignored, though, political science Adjunct Charles Mazuca said. “Local elections should matter (to students) so that their demographic gets considered in local policies,” said Mazuca, who teaches U.S. government. “So in general, when more and different groups have a candidate respond to their preferences, that creates an expanded platform by that candidate.” Bexar County has four upcoming elec-
tions including sheriff, tax assessor-collector, county commissioner and constable. By participating in local elections and being involved in local policy, students make their voices, concerns and needs heard. “Local elections are directly affecting them,” said Harley Williams, psychology sophomore and Student Government Association president. “People who are making, like, bus routes, bus laws, that kind of stuff, that’s going to affect them.” “Someday, they’re going to pay taxes and that’s going to affect them,” Williams said. “It’s going to affect them now and it’s going to affect them later.” Local elections determine which policies will be implemented, and without student and youth input, some policies will not benefit them. “You can see your influence more immediately applied and implemented.” Mazuca said. “The more variance there is among pol-
icy preferences of the electorate, the more diverse the policies are,” Mazuca said. “So for example, what would our current animal care services strategy look like if we had more young voters pressing their ideas to the elected officials on ways to diversify solutions to our overpopulation of pets?” By voting and voicing their desires to those running for local elections, students have an opportunity to shape, diversify and expand on policies that affect them. Voting also gives students a say on the use of their taxes. City Council offices can provide supplies and funds for community projects through their discretionary funds. A group of college students used supplies given to them from a council office to clean and repair the home of a widow after her home did not pass city inspection, Mazuca said. “If you can think of it, if you can have an idea about it, you know, you can probably
get to it, and a lot of times that happens at the local level,” Mazuca said. “You see things happen on a weekly basis so you can make a difference that way. Implementation is immediate.” Mazuca emphasized that the more diverse voters are in participating through the election process, then the more diverse city policies become. “When we have fewer and fewer people deciding who our electors are, then we have fewer and fewer ranges of policy,” Mazuca said. “In some districts, it only take 2,300 votes to get elected,” Mazuca said. “Students could have an elected official in each district anytime.” As of spring 2016, this college had 18,248 students, according to this college’s website. Voter registration ended Oct. 11, but for those who are registered, early voting begins today and runs through Nov. 4. The last day to vote is Election Day, Nov. 8.
Student Democrats push involvement NVC group educates on the political climate and registers voters. By Zachary-Taylor Wright zwright9@student.alamo.edu
Younger generations have long been accused of political stagnancy and consistently have the lowest voter turnout compared to other age groups; however, a group of Northwest Vista College students is showing that not all young people are indifferent or politically removed. Project Dem is a group of students at NVC who mostly align with the Democratic Party. The group is dedicated to informing students of issues on campus and removing “the stigma associated with party alignment by wearing shirts related to the campaign they support,” said the club’s adviser, Mark Camann. Camann said the group helped hundreds of students register to vote by hosting a drive where “devoted voter registrars” — working with the Mobilize. Organize. Vote. Empower. San Antonio Foundation — set up tables in high-traffic areas of campus. Students in Project Dem are fully committed to opening up a public dialogue about political and social issues. For example, the group screened “Sicko,” a documentary released in 2007 that covers the health care crisis in the United States prior to the implementation of The Affordable Care Act in 2010. Hannah Reinhard, Project Dem and NVC Student Government Association president, joined the group to make an impact on students’ lives by getting them involved with politics and more aware of the political climate. Reinhard had experience with political volunteering before joining the club — she canvassed for U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Texas, who served 2013-2015 — but really wants to expand the club’s presence on campus so students are more aware of political issues. “I really want to encourage students to align with a party or even
start a Republican Party political group on campus,” Reinhard said. “They (students) should be aware of what’s going on because I know a lot of students don’t watch the news and don’t want to read a newspaper, but it impacts them. You have a voice. You should see these issues going on, and you should try to make a difference.” Reinhard mentioned the importance of presidential elections and the impact they will have on students’ lives as a motivation for the voter registration drive they held with MOVE San Antonio. “The president we choose now is going to affect our lives,” Reinhard said. “It can impact how much we pay for college. It can impact when we start buying houses. It affects their future; they may think it doesn’t have any impact on them, but it does.” Reinhard is passionate about student involvement with politics and ensuring that students know their voice matters. “I don’t think students are involved enough right now,” Reinhard said. “They have so many excuses not to care about what’s going on politically because they say that this election is a joke and nothing they do can make a difference. Just ask Al Gore — every vote counts.” Project Dem is planning to partner with MOVE San Antonio again to screen “The 13th” — a documentary on Netflix exploring racial inequality in the United States — to inform students of racial issues and injustices in the current justice system, Reinhard said. Reinhard suggests students looking to get more involved find what they’re passionate about in politics and pursue it with vigor. “Don’t be afraid to get out there and share your opinion because someone may have the same opinion as you,” Reinhard said. “Help elders and students in the community get involved. I definitely think students should want to do more than just go to school or work. They should find that passion that keeps them going.”
Debate Students and faculty watch the final 2016 presidential debate between Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton Oct. 19 in the library of Northeast Lakeview hosted by Student Government Association and the government program. Early voting begins today and ends Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8 with polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Josue Hernandez
Passion for politics By Grace Reyes
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Presidential elections are around the corner, and some students from this college are volunteering for local campaigns. Business administration sophomore Kevin Ramirez is a Republican campaign volunteer. Ramirez wants to be involved in politics so he can be more aware of what’s happening. “When I first started, I thought I knew a lot about a certain candidate, and now I realize there’s more than just the surface,” Ramirez said. “You have to dig deep to what has really been accomplished and what has been intended.” Depending on what the candidate prefers, volunteers must inform voters about their candidate. “Two main things that most campaigns focus on is they want to talk to constituents and they use methods like block walking and phone banking,” Ramirez said. Volunteering for political parties, regardless of the party, does come with benefits. “I love the knowledge and the experience that comes with it,” Ramirez said. “When I did my first campaign, I knew nothing, and now I’m helping out other volunteers. I help them understand, and I like helping the candidate that I like and help them win.” Ramirez said he could not divulge the candidate he is volunteering for because he signed a contract with the Republican Party of Bexar County. His heritage and research eventually led Ramirez to the right political party for him. “When I was younger, most Hispanics feel they
must be Democratic, but once I started doing my research, I started seeing where my ideas belong,” Ramirez said. “I started off as a Democrat, but once I informed myself, I leaned more towards being a Republican.” Students who want to volunteer for a specific party can look online for the Bexar County chapter of that party, or they can visit the local headquarters. “I actually went to the GOP headquarters, and that’s where they got me involved,” Ramirez said. With former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and business mogul Donald J.Trump as the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, many voters are struggling with whom to choose. Ramirez said he is undecided. “It’s a situation that no one likes,” he said. “I got lucky to be a part of the elections in the worst time possible. I like Clinton’s experience, but I like Trump’s point of view. If only we had a candidate that had both.” Ramirez said he appreciates Clinton’s political background and Trump’s business knowledge. “I like how Clinton’s well-educated in policy and in administrations, but I like Trump’s new angle, on how he wants to run the economy like a businessman. It’s something I wouldn’t mind trying,” he said. Ramirez believes it’s important for everybody’s involvement, especially young adults and teenagers who are able to vote. “We are next in line; we are going to inherit what’s left. It’s important to get involved, it’s good to start young and it’s important to be informed on who to vote for.”