the ranger oct. 30, 2009

THE RANGER

Happy HalloweenA holiday to die for

A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926 Single copies free

Vol. 84 Issue 7 Oct. 30, 2009

THE HUNGER 9

FUN PREDICTED 11

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 12

2 • Oct. 30, 2009 The Ranger

The Ranger • Vol. 84 • Issue 7 Oct. 30, 2009 • 3

Only online @ theranger.org

People slideshow

SAC forum slideshow

Men’s basketball

DIY student T-shirts

Musicians entertain engineers conference

How to spot a potentially dangerous employee

Donor event takes parking without notice

SPC dean moved to Southwest Campus

A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926The RangeR

www.theranger.org

4 Blotter

6 NewsBoard chair sees communication gap with employeesBy Jason B. HoganPhoto by Destiny Mata

7 Legal for just a dayStory and photos by Leda Garcia

8 Student Goverment election next weekBy Zahra Farah

Trial of library shooterBy Vanessa Sanchez

9 Three events to highlight needs of hungerBy Zahra Farah

10 Faculty questions Zeigler on contracts and construction bidsBy Vanessa Sanchez

11 PremiereFaculty and students invited to display talentBy Trey Randolph

Psychic fair beckonsclairvoyant studentsBy Jason B. Hogan

12 Mortuary science celebrates life with Day of the Dead eventsBy Laura GarciaIllustration by Juan Carlos Campos

14 ‘Aesop’s Fables’ shares moral tales in children’s showBy Mario Anguiano

15 Calendar

16 People

18 EditorialsCartoonUse campus help to sharpen edgeOpt out of rotten dealBook more students

20 ViewpointWitch of a studentBy Vanessa Sanchez

21 LetterReading Ranger advantageous

22 PulseAnxiety attackBy Tyler K. ClevelandPhoto by Destiny Mata

Soccer schedule

23 Lady Rangers tame Tigers in volleyball winBy Tyler K. ClevelandPhotos by Destiny Mata

24 BackpageBloody Ball lures thrill-seekers to haunted housePhotos by Leda Garcia

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday!


Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio, TX 78204-1429Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149E-mail: [email protected]

District 1: Dr. Bernard Weiner929 Manor Drive, Ste. 7, San Antonio, TX 78228 Work: 735-9151 E-mail: [email protected]

District 2: Denver McClendon3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: [email protected]

District 3: Anna Bustamante511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557E-mail: [email protected]

District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas115 Wainwright, San Antonio, TX 78211Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: [email protected]

District 5: Roberto Zárate4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio, TX 78251E-mail: [email protected]

District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague14722 Iron Horse WayHelotes, TX 78023Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185E-mail: [email protected]

District 7: Charles ConnerHome:361-949-0191E-mail: [email protected]

District 8: Gary Beitzel15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio, TX 78232Home: 496-5857 E-mail: [email protected]

District 9: James A. Rindfuss109 Laburnum, San Antonio, TX 78209Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: [email protected]

Officials

San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler486-0959, [email protected]

Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno486-5484, [email protected]

Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch486-4900, [email protected]

Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman486-3960, [email protected]

St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston486-2900, [email protected]

Presidents

SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

Oct. 18 – An officer reported

hearing gunshots.

Oct. 19 – An individual report-

ed lost district keys in Moody.


ed graffiti on a district sign.

An individual reported theft

of a personal cell phone in

Fletcher.

A criminal trespass warning

was issued to a male in Loftin.

An individual was stopped for

a traffic violation and found to

have an active SAPD warrant.

SAPD arrived and took cus-

tody of individual.

Oct. 21 – An individual

reported a male and a female

involved in inappropriate

behavior in Fletcher.

An individual reported an

irate student being loud and

belligerent.

An officer assisted Leon Valley

police to locate a vehicle.

Oct. 22 - An individual reported

a hit-and-run vehicle accident.

An individual reported dam-

age to a campus parking sign

in the parking garage.

An individual reported a stu-

dent not following directions

during class in McCreless.

An individual reported a male

feeling ill in Loftin. EMS treat-

ed the male.


ed two males riding bikes in

the parking garage.

An individual reported a sus-

picious male being loud and

vulgar in Loftin.


reported a suspicious male in

the area. Male found to be a

contract worker.

PALO ALTO COLLEGE

Oct. 18 - An individual report-

ed an assault, which started

off campus.


reported graffiti on a campus

building.

An individual reported found

property. Item placed in prop-

erty locker.

An individual reported feeling

ill. EMS treated individual.

An individual reported a hit-

and-run vehicle accident.


ed theft of a district laptop in

Ozuna.

An individual reported being

injured in a parking lot.


picious item in the trash can

of a restroom in fine arts.


requested assistance in

retrieving personal paper-

work.

An individual reported a suspi-

cious male taking a stereo out

of a vehicle in a parking lot.


property in the natatorium.


requested an officer stand by

while he spoke to a male indi-

vidual in applied technology.

ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE


reported a male attempting

to gain access into welcome

center. Male found to be an

employee.

Individual reported lost per-

sonal property.


reported a suspicious male in

the area.

An individual reported stolen

personal property.

An individual reported a hit-

and-run vehicle accident.

An individual reported a

vehicle striking her while in a

crosswalk. Medical treatment

refused.


ed found property in Norris.

An individual reported a

suspicious male asking for

money. Male departed with-

out further incident.


property. Item placed in prop-

erty locker.

An individual reported a per-

sonal vehicle being burglarized.


ed found property in the sci-

ence building.


ed feeling ill in Sutton.


picious male following her

around campus.


picious male in Sutton. Male

departed before officers’ arrival.

An individual reported a male

and a female arguing.

A male with an active warrant

in the learning and leader-

ship development center was

arrested.

Blotter

The Ranger Oct. 30, 2009 • 5

An individual reported graffiti on

Nail. No suspects.

Oct. 23 – An individual reported

found property in the campus

center.

An individual reported labor pains

from pregnancy in the welcome

center. EMS treated individual.


property in Norris. Item placed in

property locker.

An individual reported two males

who appeared to be intoxicated in

the center for learning resources.

Northwest Vista College


found property in Juniper. Item

placed in property locker.


missing personal property in

Juniper.


damage to personal vehicle.


lost personal keys in Pecan.


property in Juniper.


found property in a parking lot.

An individual reported being

injured in Juniper. Medical treat-

ment refused.

An individual reported theft of

personal property.


property in Mountain Laurel. Item



graffiti in the men’s restroom. No

suspects.


found property in Huisache. Item


Northeast lakeView

College


found property in a parking lot.


a female having a seizure in the

academic center.


property.


the smell of grease coming from

the kitchen of commons. Facilities

division advised.

An individual reported damage to

a personal vehicle.


being injured in the wellness cen-

ter. Medical treatment refused.


property in academic. Item placed

in property locker.

southwest Campus


theft of personal property.


graffiti in a men’s restroom.


theft of personal property.


found property. Item placed in

property locker.


theft of personal textbooks.

ContaCt InfoEmergency222-0911

General DPS485-0099

Weather Line485-0189

Cuffed: Law enforcement trainees David Salcido and Mario Flores practice handcuffing procedures Oct. 19 at the law

enforcement training annex. It takes about one year of training to become a police officer.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Awareness: Patricia Kittle, training and education coor-

dinator at Childsafe, lectures on child abuse Wednesday

at the Methodist Student Center for Domestic Violence

Awareness Day. Kittle discussed issues surrounding

what to do when child abuse is suspected. Other spoke

on conflict resolution and escaping abusive relation-

ships.


By Jason B. Hogan

Board Chairman Denver McClendon,

District 2, told about 200 faculty, staff and stu-

dents at the forum Oct. 22 at this college, “There

is a disconnect.”

McClendon reiterated that the disconnect

was evident after Faculty Senate votes of no

confidence for Chancellor Bruce Leslie were pre-

sented at the Sept. 15 board of trustees meeting,

while the Alamo Community College District

trustees responded with a vote of confidence.

He opened the forum at St. Philip’s College

Oct. 15 with the same transcript and proceeded

to lay ground rules for three-minute questions

from the audience.

But after almost two hours, Linda Lowman,

early childhood studies professor and Faculty

Senate officer, said the forums at this college

and St. Philip’s College were scripted down to

the egg timer the trustees use to limit audience

questions and responses.

She said the timer needs to be shelved.

As long as this format continues, it will be an

us vs. them mentality, Lowman said.

But trustees defended their decisions as well

as trustee travel to national conferences and

cost factors in tough economic times.

Recently, as reported in The Ranger, six trust-

ees and the board liaison, Phyllis Rodriguez-

Williams, traveled to San Francisco to attend

an annual conference, “Achieving Success in a

Global Economy: Navigating the Educational

Landscape During Turbulent Times.”

McClendon and three other trustees in

attendance — Roberto Zárate, District 5, Gary

Beitzel, District 8, and James Rindfuss, District

9 — said the trip was warranted because, in the

past, they discovered efforts to save students

textbook costs from other attending districts.

This time, McClendon said one commu-

nity college attributed its successes to single

accreditation, even though, he said, outside

discussions have little bearing on any decisions

the board will make.

Following the open forum, Dr. Jonathan Lee,

history professor, said three years ago he was on

a state governor’s commission, and, in the pro-

cess, they reviewed the El Paso example board

Chairman Denver McClendon referenced of a

community college increasing student success

because of single accreditation.

Political science Professor Christy

Woodward-Kaupert said this affirms the prob-

lem faculty and staff have with the board and

current administration because San Francisco

was a wasted trip. If they had more respect for

employees of the colleges, trustees would never

have a need to attend the conference and dis-

trict money could have been saved.

Some faculty and staff commented on sepa-

ration and failed communication by district and

board representatives.

English Chair Alex Bernal said low morale at

the colleges hurts the most with the staff.

“They are the people who first meet our

students,” he said.

Bernal said he understands the difference

between Leslie’s retention bonus and a raise,

but trustees would have been better received by

the masses if they had tabled the agenda item

that approved the chancellor’s contract.

“It would have given the impression that you

were listening,” he said.

Many academic unit assistants have been

employed with the district for more than 25

years, Bernal said, and they are only making

$35,000 compared to Leslie’s $30,000 retention

bonus.

“We can deal with a few faculty leaving,”

Bernal said. Instead of technical improvements,

Bernal suggested being a people-first district

and giving academic unit assistants, or what

he called the fancy word for secretary, a few

Christmas bonuses.

Not all faculty and staff in attendance disap-

proved of the board and district’s direction.

Manuel Flores, enrollment management

director, quoted William G. McGinnis, stating:

“A healthy, high-performing governing

board is key to a community college’s success.

Good boards attract and appoint good leaders,

and when all focus together on student success,

they benefit the whole campus and community.

Likewise, a dysfunctional board hurts the entire

college and community,” and Flores said it has

led to a loss of accreditation in other districts.

Flores said he approves of the district’s direc-

tion and its strategic plan to reinvent student

success.

McClendon said the board will continue to

improve on the disconnect that exists among

trustees, district administration and employees

at the college level.

Board chair sees communication gap with employeesThe format of forum with

trustees was unproductive,faculty and staff say.

A forum with trustees and the chancellor at Palo Alto College

is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 109

of the fine arts building.

Forums at Northwest Vista and Northeast Lakeview have

not been scheduled.

Rowland Martin, representing the ad hoc Strategic Committee of Adjunct Faculty Council, asks to meet with the chancel-

lor at the town hall meeting Oct. 22 in the nursing allied health center.

Destiny Mata


STORY AND PHOTOS BY LEDA GARCIA

More than 50 aerosol art-

ists from Germany, Spain and

all around the country came to

San Antonio to be part of the

Clogged Caps 6 live art graffiti fes-

tival Saturday at The Yard, 525 San

Pedro Ave.

The event was sponsored by

Red Bull energy

drink and German

Montana spray paint.

Supher, a graffiti

artist, who paid for a

street closure permit,

organized and coor-

dinated the event.

This is the first time the Clogged

Caps event took place in this loca-

tion where artists were able to

come together and create graffiti

legally on four reserved walls along

The Yard, a clothing boutique, and

Laura’s Laundry next door.

The only aerosol exhibition in

the South, Supher said, included

10 local DJs with break dancing

and skateboarding demos from

sun up to sun down.

Developing artists had the

chance to get their black books, or

practice sketch books, signed by

other artists.

“This event was awesome,”

Adela Arellano, an attendee, said.

“It was an eye-open-

er to my son who

loves art.”

Arellano’s son,

10-year-old Romello

Arellano, did not

have a black book,

but he offered his white T-shirt and

khaki shorts as a wearable canvas

to collect signatures from the art-

ists.

“I enjoyed working, helping out

at this event, especially with these

artists because at one point, I used

to look up to them,” said digital

design freshman Trevor Miranda,

a volunteer at the event. “But now,

I consider myself at the same level

with most of the artists.”

English freshman Jackie De Los

Reyes showed off her break-danc-

ing skills. “I liked that the commu-

nity came together as one to enjoy

the day with what brings joy to our

hearts.”

The graffiti art created by these

aerosol muralists will stay up for at

least six months for the commu-

nity to enjoy, Josh Pearl, employee

at The Yard, said.

The four walls are perpendicu-

lar to San Pedro, two on the south

side of Laura’s Laundry and two on

the north side.

For more information on graf-

fiti events, go to www.thepaint-

yard.com.

Though the artists were legal for

the day, the Texas Penal Code ranks

graffiti from a Class B misdemean-

or to a first-degree felony offense

depending on the level of damage.

Depending on circumstances,

the sentence can range from jail

time of 180 days and a fine not to

exceed $2,000 to 99 years and a fine

of $10,000.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LEDA GARCIA

Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal for justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justfor justa daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya daya day

Josh Stevens, an invited graf-

fi ti artist from Houston, retouches

some detail on his art work.

Education fresh-

man Jackie De Los

Reyes break danc-

es to the music of

one of the live DJs

playing during the

event.

Romello Arellano, 10, collects a

signature from one of the graffi ti

artists using his own clothing as

a black book.

Hera from Ma’Claim Crew of Germany

paints a realistic graffi ti piece along with

her partner, Rusk.

Aerosol artists come together to create art at the Clogged Caps 6 festival Saturday at The Yard, 525 San Pedro Ave.


By Vanessa M. sanchez

It has been a year since Northeast

Lakeview College Librarian Donald

“Devin” Zimmerman was killed

over a feud with a co-worker.

Alan Godin, a for-

mer part-time librar-

ian at the college, goes

on trial at 9:30 a.m.

today in the 187th

District Court.

Zimmerman was

at work Oct. 20, 2008,

in the Albertsons facil-

ity on Pat Booker Road

when Godin, who lost a full-time

position to Zimmerman, walked

into the library and fired repeat-

edly at the librarian, witnesses

said.

Zimmerman was the only

injury. After firing, Godin sat

down, set down his gun and wait-

ed for the police to arrive. He has

been in custody and charged with

murder in the first degree since

then on a $250,000 bond.

After the shooting, the library

closed and reopened on the new

campus of Northeast Lakeview.

Library Dean Tracy Mendoza

said in an e-mail Oct. 23 that the

college and library has “identified

a beautiful old-growth

live oak to be designat-

ed the Reading Tree in

honor of Devin’s pas-

sion for the Earth and

education.”

Mendoza also

noted the dedication

of the Donald Devin

Zimmerman Library

Instruction Classroom.

Julie Nichols, who worked at

Northwest Vista with Godin’s wife,

Christine, has filled Zimmerman’s

position since May. She said by

phone Tuesday that she enjoys

being back at a community col-

lege.

Nichols worked at Northwest

Vista for three years before trans-

ferring to the University of Texas

at San Antonio for 2 1/2 years.

Zimmerman

By zahra Farah

The Student Government Association is

accepting applications for the offices of presi-

dent, vice president, secretary and treasurer

and four commissioners-at-large.

The positions will be from December 2009

to January 2011.

Packets are available in the office of student

life on the second floor of Loftin Student Center.

Students who want to run must have at least a

2.5 grade-point average, be taking at least six

hours at this college and be able to meet at 2

p.m. Mondays.

Association President Julianne Cantu, polit-

ical science sophomore, said students who are

elected receive a scholarship of up to $500 for

their elected term. The money covers books, but

whatever is left over goes back to the college.

“You want your focus to be on the student

body, not about getting your books paid,” she

said.

Packets must be submitted by today to

the office of student life or to any association

adviser: Dawn Elmore-McCrary in Room 130A

of Gonzales Hall, Christy Woodward-Kaupert

in Room 217C of Chance Academic Center or

Tandy Schoolcraft in Room 102 of Nail Technical

Center.

Voting begins Nov. 2 on the PALS

Web site. Students also can go to the

Cyber Café on the second floor of

Loftin to access PALS from a com-

puter there. Voting ends Nov. 6.

Cantu said students running for

office should be concerned about

students’ issues and not about the

monetary gain from being in office.

“We are eight people who rep-

resent 24,000 students at SAC,” she

said. “The students’ interest is our No. 1 priority.”

Association members attend every board of

trustees meeting wearing matching shirts and

sitting in the front row to let trustees know stu-

dents have a presence, Cantu said.

“The board meetings are televised, so people

see us when we argue for the students’ needs,” she

said. Board meetings are shown on Time Warner

Cable Channel 98.

Cantu said association members are trying

to do as much good for the student

body as they can.

“I think if you’re going to be at

the school for a while, you should

do something that will make a dif-

ference,” she said.

The association meets three

Mondays each month, with the

third meeting serving as a forum

in the Fiesta Room of Loftin during

which students can ask what their

elected members are doing.

The date for the forum had not been deter-

mined.

The names of the new officers will be

announced at that forum.

Librarian trial opens today

Student government election begins Monday

www.theranger.orgRead the fullstory online.


By Zahra Farah

A dollar can buy seven meals for a family

in San Antonio, though the San Antonio Food

Bank, which has seen a 70 percent increase in

demand this year.

Because of the economy, the food bank has

seen people from various walks of life, including

some who never thought about where their next

meal would come from, Erica Benavides, com-

munity investment manager at the San Antonio

Food Bank, said Oct.22.

Three events are scheduled this week to help

feed the hungry.

In honor of Hunger Awareness Month, the

service learning office, with help from the

college honor society Phi Theta Kappa, is

sponsoring the college’s first Hunger Banquet

from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 5 in Room 120 of the

visual arts center.

Guest speakers will be Benavides and

Caroline Richardson, a volunteer with Children’s

Vision International in Colombia.

A donation of $5 or five cans of food is

requested.

The hunger banquet is an opportunity for

students and individuals to get engaged by

walking in the shoes of people who have dealt

with hunger, Benavides said.

“The basic message to get across for stu-

dents to attend the hunger banquet is for them

to know they will be getting a chance to experi-

ence what it is like to go hungry,” she said.

Economics Professor Susan Spencer, a Phi

Theta Kappa adviser, said, “The hunger banquet

is letting our city come take a moment to know

how it feels to be poor.”

Benavides said it is an eye-opening experi-

ence geared to move people to action.

“It’s good to come in with an open mind

because they’re going to get a different perspec-

tive on the world and on the community,” she

said.

The Oxfam Hunger Banquet reports if you

were born in the United States, you can expect

on average to live nearly 78 years. If you live in

Zimbabwe, you have only a 43 percent chance

of surviving past the age of 40.

“We’re fairly well-insulated in Western soci-

ety from these particular problems going on in

the world,” said Justin Storrs, civic engagement

coordinator and a participant in the AmeriCorps

Volunteers in Service to America program.

“It’s not necessarily bad, but our environ-

ment has borders, and it’s important to expand

it because sooner or later what’s beyond those

borders will affect you.”

At the hunger banquet, Benavides’ role is to

provide local and national perspectives on hun-

ger and leave students a message to get involved

in the fight against hunger, she said.

“Part of what I will talk about is my personal

experience with hunger, and my journey to the

food bank,” she said. “I’m going to paint a per-

sonal picture of how people struggle to put food

on the table.”

Each week, about 25,000 people receive

emergency food assistance from an agency in

the San Antonio Food Bank network, states the

Food Research Action Center at www.safood-

bank.org.

At the banquet, people will be picked at

random to eat various meals, Storrs said. The

meals are based on people’s different incomes

around the world, so one student could be hav-

ing a feast while another could be eating beans.

What Storrs did not like about previous ban-

quets he participated in was that they explained

the problem but didn’t offer avenues for stu-

dents to do something about it.

“Other banquets would make students feel

guilty,” he said. “I want to make students feel a

part of the situation.”

Storrs will offer students volunteer oppor-

tunities or students can simply donate food at

any food drive.

The food or money donations at the banquet

will go to the Phi Theta Kappa food pantry to

feed students at this college. The food pantry

is open from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through

Thursday in the basement of the Catholic

Student Center at West Courtland and Belknap

places.

At Phi Theta Kappa, the philosophy is

“Feed a body, feed a mind,” meaning having

good health helps one perform better intel-

lectually.

“Investing in our students and community is

a worthy investment,” Spencer said.

Reservations for the hunger banquet are

required by calling Storrs at 486-0760.

Cheshyre Cheese Club is hosting the

third annual Jack Leslie Food Drive,

named in remembrance of Jack Leslie,

the husband of a former club member.

The purpose is to assist the Empowerment

Center with providing a Thanksgiving meal for

a family who might not have one, said project

director John Brown, computer science fresh-

man.

“Last year, the club raised 400 pounds of

food,” Brown said.

Donation boxes will be located in each build-

ing’s departmental offices or welcome desks.

Donations also will be accepted at the

Cheshyre Cheese Club’s open mic night 6:30

p.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 6 in Loftin Student Center.

The drive runs from Oct. 29 through Nov. 24.

Phi Theta Kappa is hosting its second

annual Alumni Association “Pack the

Prius” Thanksgiving food drive for the

food pantry. Nonperishable food items and

cash donations will be accepted 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday in the mall.

“Any event that heightens individual aware-

ness of being hungry, without doubt, is a good

endeavor,” Spencer said.

Three events to highlight needs of hungryStudents can educate themselves

on worldwide disparity.


By Vanessa M. sanchez

Faculty concerns throughout

the college dominated discussion

at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate

meeting with college president,

Dr. Robert Zeigler.

Library renovations were a

touchy subject.

Zeigler said half of the third

floor is complete, and “the other

half is on the way.”

The lobby will be complete

though “not as extensive as the

original plan, but it will be nice

and changed to

match the rest of the

library.”

Librarian Celita

DeArmond was

not too happy with

that response. She

said when someone

agrees to do some-

thing, it needs to get

done.

Zeigler responded that there

was about $15-20 million for the

renovations, but “we have money

for one floor,” and at the moment,

the plan is to do the rest as more

money becomes available.

“We may well be able to get

money to add on and complete it

phase by phase,” he said.

DeArmond countered, “The

library is the heart of the campus”

and should be renovated because

the community voted on a bond

to do so.

She said the library should be

a place where people want to

go, and at the moment, only one

floor is seeing any notion of new

life.

People will not vote for anoth-

er bond now that the college is

not doing what they said they

would with the 2005 bond money,

she added.

Zeigler said after renovating

three buildings, the bond money

was gone.

“Chemistry-geology was hon-

estly a sick building,” he said,

and the extensive renovations

required took funds away from

working on the library.

However, faculty members

said if no one ever tries to negoti-

ate lower prices, the district will

forever be paying top dollar.

DeArmond said there are also

shelves that need to be fixed or

replaced and because of that,

many books were unavailable.

Zeigler said the

college is working

on getting the older

shelves refurbished.

The question

read: “We’re either

freezing or hotter

than hell, can you

explain that?”

Zeigler said, “I

don’t know. In Room

612 (of Moody) it was 60 degrees.

We’re trying to get that fixed.”

From freezing classrooms, the

talk moved to freezing salaries.

Zeigler said there were

changes to contracts, but it was a

human resources decision.

This year’s faculty contracts

show only salary grade and level

but not the actual salary as in

past years.

The HR department decided

to redo those to not show a salary,

but employees are still required

to sign and return them.

Some members were con-

cerned that their contracts were

from August to August instead of

from August to May and wanted

that changed before they signed

it.

Also noted was the fact that

some of the contracts did not

note if a faculty member had

achieved tenure.

Faculty question ZeiglerTopics include telephone operators,

temperature, contracts and construction bids.

www.theranger.orgGo online to read the entire story on the Faculty Senate meeting with the president.

The Ranger Oct. 30, 2009 • 11Premiere

By Jason B. Hogan

A psychic fair with three tarot card readers,

a dream analyzer, palm reader, numerologist

and a lip blot reader is scheduled from 10 a.m.-

2 p.m. Wednesday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin

Student Center.

There will be seven stations set up for

the event, student activities specialist Carrie

Hernandez said, one for each reader. The fair

is free.

Psychics have graced the world for centuries

in some form or fashion.

In an article published by the Catholic

Education Resource Center, tarot cards are pur-

ported to have come into existence in the 14th

century because their first usage dates back to

1391 in Italy.

There are 22 major enigmas printed on each

card, which represent life’s mysteries and cor-

respond to the letters in the Hebrew alphabet

used by the Jewish in ancient divination. Fifty-

six minor enigmas depict 14 figures that corre-

late to four series of paths: intellectual activities,

government, military service and priesthood.

At Encyclopedia.com, I Ching, or “Book of

Changes,” is referenced as a method of divina-

tion that has been used for more than 5,000

years.

Dr. Elizabeth De La Portilla, sociology

instructor, said activities such as tarot card

readings and I Ching have been around a long

time, and their usage is cross-cultural.

“They are tied into a belief system, whether

religious or spiritual practice,” De La Portilla

said. “They (participants) want to have control

over their lives and they feel that these sort of

activities” accomplish that.

De La Portilla said these activities revolve

around practices more faith-based than logical.

But she said, “We need that as human

beings.”

Dr. Thomas Billimek, psychology chair, said

people are more inclined to participate primar-

ily out of curiosity.

“We all look to have some degree of cer-

tainty, some degree of control,” he said.

Adolf Hitler had a heavy reliance on having

his future told, Billimek said, while also being

thankful that it helped lead to his downfall.

Billimek said people also delve into the art

possibly because of a degree of uncertainty in

life, so they seek any alternative means of know-

ing their future.

He is skeptical that many people will make

decisions based on any of those consultations.

But Billimek said, “If the future is vague …

it (psychic consultations) gives the feeling you

have control, then I can see the attraction.”

He also did not advise people to assess stock

market tips and investments purely based on

readings.

Logical people do not let outside forces dic-

tate their lives.

Billimek said, “I would think that individuals

who feel less secure about themselves would be

the type of individuals who would seek out that

information. Everyday people look at it to see

what might turn up.”

By Trey randolpH

Two separate, but perhaps not equal, talent

shows in November will feature talents of stu-

dents and employees.

The student talent show will be 11 a.m. to

1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Fiesta Room of Loftin

Student Center. Admission is free. Student

activities specialist Carrie Hernandez said stu-

dent tryouts will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday

and Tuesday.

Last year’s winner, Jon Coker, then a commu-

nications sophomore, won a $500 scholarship

for his hip-hop choreography. Other entries

have included singing, dancing and comedy.

Entry forms are available at the information

desk in Loftin and may be turned in to student

life in Room 152 of Loftin.

Hernandez said four winners will be award-

ed iPod Nanos.

Faculty and staff also have an upcoming tal-

ent show at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in the auditorium of

McAllister Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door

and $15 military and seniors. Admission is free

for Alamo Colleges students.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to enter

with a performance limited to four minutes.

The faculty and staff show also will feature a

silent auction to benefit technology at this col-

lege. The auction will be before the show, and a

reception will follow the show.

Each department represented in the show

will be entered in a drawing to win a projector.

Faculty and staff applications are available

online at www.alamo.edu/sac/pr/pdf/talen-

tApp2.pdf.

The deadline for applications is noon

Monday and may be faxed to Rose Gonzalez,

executive secretary for the vice president of

student affairs, at 486-1741.

For more information on the student show,

call Hernandez at 486-0128.

For details of the faculty and staff show, call

Gonzalez at 486-0953.

Sociology and psychology professors believe psychic

readings stem from curiosity.

Psychic fair invites clairvoyant students

Display your talent, win an iPod Nano

Tarot card readers, a dream analyzer and palm reader are

scheduled to be appearing at the psychic fair Wednesday

in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

File photo

By Laura Garcia

Next week, the mortuary science depart-

ment invites you to a celebration involving

skulls, spirits and gravesite decorations.

This is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the

Dead, a time to celebrate the lives of and

reunite with family members who have died.

Day of the Dead altars cropped up all over

campus this week, including in the foreign

languages hallway in the academic instruction

center, nursing and allied health complex and

Nail Technical Center.

The mortuary science department is host-

ing interactive information sessions 9 a.m.-

noon Monday and Tuesday in Nail.

Sessions at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. each

day include how to create “papel picado,” or

intricately cut paper banners in Room 241,

“alfeñiques,” which are sugar skulls made for

children, in Room 234, and “ofrendas,” or tradi-

tional altars, in Room 231.

Mortuary science Professor José Luis

Moreno said the department is excited about

the event and wants to stress the difference

between Halloween and Día de los Muertos.

Moreno is scheduled to direct a session on

ofrendas and what to include in the ritual. On

the south side of Nail near Room 243 is an altar

created by mortuary science faculty.

Another ofrenda will be created by students

on Monday. Students are asked to bring photos

and personal mementos of loved

ones they have lost.

The altars will

be set up for two

more weeks after

the celebration.

Professor Felix B. Gonzales will instruct

visitors Monday and Tuesday on how to create

“very simple” papel picado or paper that is cut

into decorative designs.

He said the papel picado shows a different

perspective and includes festive skeletons and

skulls. The completed art will be displayed on

the first floor of Nail.

Gonzales said “death masks for the living”

will be made from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on both days

as a memento. In the past, people who were

not wealthy would have a mold cast of their

relatives right after they died.

Now a newer technique is used, but he said

the death masks will be fun to make and cited

St. Therese’s sculpture at the Basilica of the

National Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic

Church, 824 Kentucky Ave.

St. Therese’s sister, who was also a nun in the

same convent, made two death masks of her

after the death. One was incorporated into the

tomb chapel at Little Flower here and another

is located in France.

“It is the closest you will come to seeing her

real face,” Gonzales said.

A session on alfeñiques, or sugar skulls,

will be taught by mortuary science Professor

Francisco Solis but with a twist. Instead of the

traditional pure sugar, he will use chocolate

and decorative icing.

The pure sugar would take about eight

hours to dry and Solis said young children

would probably enjoy the chocolate more.

Solis said Día de los Muertos is important

because of cultural awareness especially with

such a large Latino population on campus.

He said it was appropriate for mortuary sci-

ence to host the celebration.

Following the sessions from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

will be a “soft open house” where the public

will be invited to tour the remodeling of the

department.

Refreshments will be served.

The new classrooms have already been in

use this semester, but the tour will give the

public a chance to view the new embalming

and anatomy rooms.

Solis said that some people are not sure

what the celebration is and ask if the holiday

is about voodoo. “It’s only supposed to be a

celebration of life.”

For more information, call 486-1139.

Pre-Columbian and CatholicStill confused about this holiday?

This Latino custom was first celebrated

more than 3,000 years ago, and has been a

vital part of Mexican culture so deep-root-

ed that it survived the

Mortuary science celebrates life with Day of the Dead events

Dia de los

Muertos

12 • The Ranger Premiere

Oct. 30, 2009 • 13

The pure sugar would take about eight

hours to dry and Solis said young children

would probably enjoy the chocolate more.

Solis said Día de los Muertos is important

because of cultural awareness especially with

such a large Latino population on campus.

He said it was appropriate for mortuary sci-

ence to host the celebration.

Following the sessions from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

will be a “soft open house” where the public

will be invited to tour the remodeling of the

department.

Refreshments will be served.

The new classrooms have already been in

use this semester, but the tour will give the

public a chance to view the new embalming

and anatomy rooms.

Solis said that some people are not sure

what the celebration is and ask if the holiday

is about voodoo. “It’s only supposed to be a

celebration of life.”


Pre-Columbian and CatholicStill confused about this holiday?

This Latino custom was first celebrated

more than 3,000 years ago, and has been a

vital part of Mexican culture so deep-root-

ed that it survived the

Spanish conquest and was co-opted by the

Catholic Church to coincide with the Catholic

holidays All Saints’ and All Souls’ days with Nov.

1 reserved particularly for deceased children.

According to “The Day of the Dead, When

Two Worlds Meet in Oaxaca” written by Shawn

D. Haley and Curt Fukuda, the influence el Día

de Muertos has on the daily lives of southern

Mexicans is “immeasurable.”

The book says that the celebration is joy-

ous and exuberant and has an impact on how

people see the world and themselves in it.

Around the middle of October, families

visit the cemeteries and invite their loved ones

to the celebration. They create altars in their

home and host parties for which they save

money all year long.

In addition to the deceased relatives’ favor-

ite foods, “pan de muerto,” or the bread of the

dead, which resembles the shape of a skeleton,

is ordered by many from bakeries.

The popular sugar skulls also hold a deeper

meaning. While outsiders may view the thought

of eating candy skulls morbid, a Mexican views

this act as immortalizing himself. He has no

fear and laughs at death.

This perspective also

explains why artists

use skeletons to parody death. They mock

death by creating papier maché sculptures and

caricatures to show they have no fear.

In America, many Mexican-Americans still

take loved ones’ favorite foods and drinks to

their gravesites and spend time visiting in the

cemetery.

Today, many people celebrate the Day of the

Dead by taking part in citywide celebrations

and purchasing Día de los Muertos artwork. For

citywide events, go to www.sacalaveras.com.

After this college’s celebration, you

could head over to Centro Cultural

Aztlan for their 32nd annual Día

de los Muertos celebration at 1800

Fredericksburg Road. The opening

reception starts at 6 p.m. and will

feature a performance by Urban 15

and installation art created by dozens of

local artists.


Mortuary science celebrates life with Day of the Dead events

Juan Carlos Campos

Premiere


By Mario anguiano

The stage play “Aesop’s Fables,” which opens

Monday, is based on a series of stories told by

animals who share moral values with children

and adults.

The play, presented by the department

of theater and speech communication, was

adapted by Robert Lehan. Theater and speech

communications Instructor Charles Falcon is

director, and theater sophomore Ray Seams is

assistant director.

Aesop was believed to be a former Greek

slave in the mid 5th century B.C. Many of his

more than 650 fables have been adapted into

plays often involving anthropomorphic animals

advocating morals.

This adapted version focuses on three fables.

In “The Lion and the Mouse,” Lion discov-

ers Mouse’s size is nothing compared to his

abilities. “Dog in the Manger” demonstrates

that boasting gets one nowhere. In “The Ant

and the Grasshoppers,” Aesop puts

an emphasis on “work now, play

later.”

Economics sophomore Andrew

Olmos, who plays Aesop, said the

costumes and scenery look great

and thinks many in the audience

will respond to “The Ant and the

Grasshoppers.”

Olmos said the story relates to

his experiences and that one must

work hard in the present to attain

the joys of relaxation later.

Falcon said he told his cast

to research many of the tales. He

said the ability to tell a story was

the first step toward getting into

character.

Falcon said the decision to produce “Aesop’s

Fables” as this year’s children’s play came from

economical thinking. With budgets continuing

to decrease in most departments, Falcon saw

an opportunity to present

a play many people are

familiar with.

Daytime productions

for school groups with

reservations will be at

9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Monday through Nov. 6.

Admission is $1 for school-

age students; and no

charge for adults.

General audiences can

see “Aesop’s Fables” at 7:30

p.m. Thursday and Nov. 6

and at 12:30 p.m. and 2

p.m. Nov. 7 in the audi-

torium of McAllister Fine

Arts Center. Admission is

$5 for adults; $3 for children age 12 and under;

and free for Alamo College Community District

students, faculty and staff with ID.


‘Aesop’s Fables’ shares moral tales starting Monday

Economics sophomore Andrew Olmos

plays Aesop during dress rehearsal

for ‘Aesop’s Fables’ Wednesday in

McAllister.

Destiny Mata

The Ranger Oct. 30, 2009 • 15Calendar

Today

SAC Event: Mike Canales Variety Band

11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of

Loftin. Call 486-0125.

SAC Event: Costume contest 11:30

a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of


SAC Event: Video games 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

in the Cyber Cafe of Loftin. Continues

Fridays. Call 486-0125.

SAC Event: 3-on-3 soccer 1 p.m.-4

p.m. at San Pedro Springs Park. Call

486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Go Green appreciation

meeting 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the craft room of


Saturday

SAC Event: Phi Theta Kappa Ronald

McDonald Halloween party noon-2 p.m. in

the Ronald McDonald House, 227 Lewis.

Call 486-0431.

Sunday

Event: “Leaving Behind Time” 2 p.m. in

the auditorium of Leeper at McNay Art

Museum. Call 824-5368.

Monday

SAC Event: United Methodist Student

Movement worship service 11 a.m.-noon

in Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap.

Continues Mondays. Call 733-1441.

SAC Meeting: Mexican-American

Engineers and Scientists 2:30 p.m.–3:30

p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Continues

Mondays. Call 486-0125.

SAC Event: 3-point shoot-out 3 p.m.-5

p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 486-0125.

Tuesday

SAC Event: Psychology Club ice cream

social 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room

of Loftin. Call 486-0125.


Movement Hot Potato 12:15 p.m. in

Methodist Student Center, 102 Belknap.

Continues Tuesdays. Call 733-1441.

SAC Meeting: Campus Crusade for

Christ noon-1 p.m. in the craft room of

Loftin. Continues Tuesdays. Call 486-1233.

Wednesday

SAC Meeting: Astronomy Club noon-1

p.m. in Room 101 of nursing education.

Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy

Program Peers 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in Room

128 of Gonzales. Continues Wednesdays.

Call 486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Cheshyre Cheese Club

2 p.m.-3 p.m. in Room 127 of Gonzales.

Continues Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Psychology Club 2 p.m.-

3 p.m. in Room 606 of Moody. Continues

Wednesdays. Call 486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian

Association 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in

Rooms 612-613 of Moody. Continues


SAC Meeting: SACNAS 2:30 p.m.-3:30

p.m. in Room 144 of Chance. Continues


SAC Meeting: American Institute of

Architecture Students 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

in Room 251 of Chance. Continues


Thursday


Movement Bible study with free lunch at

12:10 p.m. in Methodist Student Center,

102 Belknap. Continues Thursdays. Call

733-1441.

Event: Roger Shimomura “Him-A-Hero”

6:30 p.m. in the sculpture gallery of

Stieren at the McNay Art Museum. Call

824-5368.

Nov. 7

Event: San Antonio’s Fittest Games 10

a.m.-2 p.m. at Alamo CrossFit, 14381

Blanco. $25 registration benefits the

Wounded Warrior Project. Call 279-9259.

Nov. 9

SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in

the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.

Nov. 10

SAC Concert: Mariachi Ensemble at

7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Call 486-0255.

SAC Event: Sociology Department open

house 10 a.m-2 p.m. in Room 303 of

Chance. Call 486-1319.

Nov. 11

SAC Event: Spa Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the

mall. Call 486-0125.

SPC Event: Turkey Taste Off 11:30 a.m.

at Central Market on 4821 Broadway. Call

486-2315.

Nov. 13

SAC Event: Dance Dance Revolution 1

p.m.–4 p.m. in the game room of Loftin.

Call 486-0125.

SAC Event: Outdoor movie “Harry

Potter” 7:20 p.m.-10 p.m. in the mall. Call

486-0125.

Nov. 14SAC Tourney: Racquetball tournamet

to benefit Kinesiology Scholarship Fund 9

a.m. in Candler. Call 486-1029.

Nov. 15

Lecture: “Restituting the Goudstikker

Collection” 2 p.m. in Chiego at the McNay

Art Museum. Call 824-5368.

Nov. 16

SAC Concert: Guitar ensemble 7:30

p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call

486-0255.

Nov. 17

SAC Concert: Latin Jazz combo 7:30

p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister. Call

486-0255.

Nov. 18

SAC Concert: Wind Ensemble 2 p.m. in

the auditorium of McAllister. Call 486-0255.

SAC Event: Meet the Majors 9 a.m.-

noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call

486-0125.

Nov. 19

Event: Get Reel Film 6:30 p.m. in Chiego

at McNay Art Museum. Call 824-5368.

SAC Performance: “SAC Has Talent”

7 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door,

$15 military and seniors; and free for

Alamo Colleges students. Call 486-0953.

Nov. 23

SAC Event: Blood drive through Nov. 24,

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of

Candler. Call 486-0125.

Nov. 29

Event: Him-A-Hero 2 p.m. in the Valero

Learning Center at the McNay Art Museum.

Call 824-5368.

Nov. 30

SAC Event: Student art is LIFE Stone

Metal Press, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Fiesta

Room of Loftin. Continues through Dec.4.

Call 486-0125.

Dec. 3

SAC Concert: Holiday benefit concert

7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Donations appreciated. Call 486-0255.

Calendar Legend

SAC: San Antonio CollegeNVC: Northwest Vista CollegeSPC: St. Philip’s CollegeSWC: South West CampusPAC: Palo Alto CollegeNLC: Northeast Lakeview College

For coverage call 486-1773 or e-mail [email protected] two weeks in advance.

16 • Oct. 30, 2009 The RangerPeople

Writing excellence: The Writing Center

recognized 300 students for excellence in

writing Oct. 23 in Koehler.

Moving on: Public relations sophomore Jennifer Flores

and kinesiology sophomore Jessica Flores listen as

Belinda Celis, University of Texas at Austin, answers

their questions at the transfer fair in the nursing and

allied health complex Wednesday.

Cancer awareness (above): Dental

assisting sophomore Tiffany Burg

examines a cancerous breast model

Oct. 22 in Loftin. The breast cancer

awareness booth was sponsored by

the Peer Educators.

Gift of life: Medical assistant Mary

Robles helps education freshman

Victor Mata, who donated blood

Tuesday in a mobile blood van on

the mall west of Moody. Two hun-

dred students signed up to donate

blood to the South Texas Blood and

Tissue Center by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Leda Garcia

D.A. JamesAndrea Branch

Henriette Mutegwaraba

The Ranger Oct. 30, 2009 • 17People

Raindrops: Rain water puddles inside the academic instruction center Monday. Leaky windows in the new building are scheduled to

be repaired by today.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Regis L. Roberts

Gardening: Karen Solis, tourism freshman

at Palo Alto College, tills soil while danc-

ing to merengue music Oct. 23 at the

Roots of Change Community Garden on East

Commerce. Originally from Peru, Solis was

part of a group of Palo Alto students who

worked on the already-established com-

munity garden.

The Ranger 18 • Oct. 30, 2009 Editorial

The Ranger, the student newspaper at

San Antonio College, is a laboratory project

of the journalism classes in the Department

of Media Communications, published Fri-

days except during summer, holidays and

examinations.

News contributions accepted by tele-

phone (486-1773), by fax (486-1789), by

e-mail ([email protected]) or at the

editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student

Center). Advertising rates available upon

request (486-1765).

The Ranger is a member of the Texas In-

tercollegiate Press Association, the Associ-

ated Collegiate Press, the Texas Community

College Journalism Association and the As-

sociated Press.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, stu-

dents and community members are wel-

come to contribute guest viewpoints of up

to 450 words.

Writers should focus on campus or cur-

rent events in a critical, persuasive or inter-

pretative 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 mailed to The Ranger,

Department of Media Communications,

San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave.,

San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought to the news-

paper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student

Center, e-mailed to [email protected]

or faxed to 486-1789.

Letters must be signed and must include

the writer’s printed name, classification,

major, Social Security number and tele-

phone number.


Single Copy Policy: Because of high

production costs, members of the Alamo

Community College District community

are permitted one free copy per issue.

Where available, additional copies may

be purchased with prior approval for 50

cents each by contacting The Ranger busi-

ness office.

Newspaper theft is a crime. Those who

violate the single copy rule may be subject

to civil and criminal prosecution and sub-

ject to college discipline.

Editor

Jason B. Hogan

Managing Editor

Vanessa M. Sanchez

Calendar Editor

Henry A. Chavarria

Photo Editor

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Photographers

Leda Garcia

Destiny Mata

Photo Team

Andrea Branch, D.A. James,

Henriette Mutegwaraba

Production Manager

Laura Garcia

Production Assistant

Alena Ramirez

Newsroom Assistant

Zahra Farah

Illustrator

Juan Carlos Campos

Staff Writers

Mario Anguiano, Tyler K. Cleveland,

Emilio Davila, Sharon Hensley, Trey Randolph

Web Editor/Circulation

Regis L. Roberts

©2009 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College,

1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All

rights reserved. No part of this publication may be re-

produced without permission.

The RangeR

Laura Garcia

The Ranger Oct. 30, 2009 • 19Opinion

Some experts say the recession is nearly over. But the national unemploy-ment rate is still at 9.8 percent. With so many people out there looking for jobs, you need to think about what will give you the edge after college.

Employers do care about appearanc-es regardless of discrimination laws. The way to stand out from the pack and get hired has less to do with beauty pageant looks and more with what your résu-mé says and how you present yourself. There are ways to get around this unfair hiring practice.

This campus has a multitude of resources for students ready to go into the job market. Go to the Magic Closet and pull out a conservative suit to wear to your interview. It costs nothing and was set up especially to help women in need of business attire. Remember to mimic the style of clothing of employ-ees at the place you are applying. The Magic Closet is on the lower level of the Catholic Student Center, 312 W. Courtland Place. Call 486-0904 or 486-0903 for more information.

But nice clothes won’t be enough to seal the deal. Next, head over to career services in the counseling center on the first floor of Moody Learning Center. Staff there will be able to direct students on where and how to apply for the job they want. The resources there are prac-tically unlimited. Keep going until you get the job.

Still nervous about going after the job you want? Try going to the Peer Educators in Room 120 of Chance Academic Center and talk with the stu-dent advisers about your anxiety. They can help ease nerves and provide a place to vent in case the interviews don’t go as planned. All conversation is confiden-tial. Their number is 486-1448.

Don’t forget to get to know a couple of your professors or visit one that you respected in previous semesters. Make an appointment to talk about your job preferences and concerns. Have them look over your résumé and ask if they would be willing to write a letter of rec-ommendation. Most faculty members will jump at the chance to help a student succeed after college. How do you think they made it in their field of interest? They went after their goals and used all the resources available to them.

No one will hold your hand dur-ing this monumental task in life. But this college gets you pretty far with its immense amount of opportunities. Your job is to have the tenacity it takes to get that job.

As John Quiñones said Oct. 21 on campus: Don’t listen to what anyone tells you. He was discouraged because of his Hispanic accent, but his bilingual skills got him hired at ABC. He’s still there, has earned the respect of his peers and serves as a source of inspiration for others to follow their own dreams.

On Oct. 20, officials of the Alamo Community College District began a push for a phased retirement plan for fis-cal year 2009-10 with a Q&A session with the district’s ben-efits and human resources records manager in Loftin.

Elisa Hernandez explained the details of the plan the board approved Sept. 15.

This is not a retirement plan; it’s a part-time employment plan designed to benefit the district.

With a hiring freeze for any-one below the associate vice chancellor level, the positions occupied by potential retirees will not be filled.

The same amount of work remains to be done, and we’re not staffed sufficiently now.

So maybe after a month, chairs and directors can entice their recently retired employees back at half time and pay.

The hallmark of district employees is being student-centered hard workers. Our employees get the job done.

No one should be surprised if the “retirees” stick around just a few more minutes that can turn easily into a few more hours to keep from leaving their former colleagues swamped.

Report those extra hours and you lose your retirement ben-efits for the month.

In the horrific economic cli-mate that plagues this country and the world as a whole, who can afford that?

Don’t report them and the district won’t have to pay you for them. More savings for the district.

Forget about retiring for now. Wait until the district is ready to make you an offer you can’t refuse. You deserve it.

Opt out of rotten deal

Use campus help to sharpen edge

Book more student entertainersThe office of student

life seldom invites a stu-dent to the stage as part of the Live in Loftin series.

Hawaiian hip hop art-ist Sean City, a music business freshman here, was a refreshing change.

Student life should lend a helping hand to stu-dents, especially because students can be paid out of the student activ-ity fee that all students

contribute to. In addition, our local bands, singer-songwriters, song birds, comedians and dancers could use the experience on stage with a friendly audience.

Tap some of the acts from the upcoming talent show. What better way to entertain students than with the talents of fellow students.

This also will attract

more students to events in Loftin, justifying the expense of hiring acts that only a handful of people see or are subjected to when they grab a quick bite to eat.

Besides, dollars spent on San Antonians gener-ate much more income for the city than if those same dollars are spent on out-of-town acts. These days that’s important.

20 • Oct. 30, 2009 The RangerOpinion

By the

time you

read this,

there will be

only a mat-

ter of hours

until my

H a l l o w e e n

crunch time.

Maybe it

was because I was born with a twin

and on our dad’s birthday in early

December that contributed to my

choosing Halloween as one of my

favorite days.

It may sound selfish, but I never

had a day specifically for me; the

majority of the time, I let my sister

decide or compromised with her

on what we would do to celebrate.

Maybe it was because I have

always loved horror films and

books for the gory scenes. Either

way, I love Halloween.

Halloween is a day I have

always found entertaining and fun

and maintain a mental countdown

for, and it wasn’t just because of the

free candy.

In my house, we celebrated

pretty much every holiday, but for

some reason Halloween was the

one celebration that stuck out for

me. Maybe it has something to do

with the chill and windy fall weath-

er, the scary movies on TV and

the hype from the community, but

there was always something that

started me planning for the next

year by the end of Halloween night.

My siblings and I participated

when it came to carving the pump-

kin and decorating the house.

My parents always had to cut

the pumpkin for us, but as soon as

that stemmed crown was removed,

it turned into a mini party with my

brother and sister at my side dying

to get our hands dirty scooping out

the seeds.

Sometimes, we’d carve a vam-

pire, but usually, we carved a

smirking face, placed a candle in

the center and set it in front of a

window for the world to see.

From that one pumpkin sitting

by the window, I have grown to

love painting faces and designs on

smaller ones and placing those on

the dining room table.

Within the past five years, more

or less, I have invested an easy $60

on those pumpkins and have mul-

tiple plastic pumpkins and several

actual pumpkins.

We never had much light-

ing around the apartment, but it

worked out, providing an eerie feel

inside while cobwebs along with

black and orange paper chains

filled the ceiling’s empty spots.

There was always one rub-

ber bat that hung on the stair-

well between the first and sec-

ond floors that, somehow, was

stolen almost every year. It was

pretty much my family’s signa-

ture that the Halloween season

had begun.

The opportunity to scare peo-

ple with my homemade witch cos-

tumes contributed to my love of

Halloween.

Recently, the children in my

neighborhood have proved to take

a lot more to scare than what I

found scary when I was younger.

By about middle school, I had

to decide if I was too old for dress

up or join the other half of the

population and continue with my

Halloween spirit.

Needless to say, Halloween con-

tinued to be my favorite holiday.

Since then, I have gone through

stages of defining what, to me, is

scary, and how to portray that at

home and in costume.

When I dress up for whatever

Halloween event I attend, I like to

keep my costume versatile.

There is family evidence of me

dressed up as a princess, but for

the majority of my childhood, I was

a witch of some sort.

Today, I think I inspired my peers

with my Halloween fascination.

One of them said that he thinks

about Halloween more because

they can look to me for ideas on

how to decorate. Another said she

is more aware of Halloween mer-

chandise and now considers her

costume before it’s too late to get

one.

Even my Dad, not the biggest

fan of decapitated heads hanging

from the carport, contributes to

how to make the house look more

haunted.

Then there’s my costume to

consider. You won’t catch me

checking out the princess, fairy or

bumblebee costumes unless some-

one else is going to wear them.

I prefer a scary Halloween. I

decorate my house to complement

my costume for a fuller effect for

the children who come trick or

treating in hopes that they will

continue their fascination with the

culture of Halloween.

This witch prefers a merry, scary Halloween

Viewpoint by Vanessa M. Sanchez

Juan Carlos Campos

Journalism sophomore Vanessa Sanchez, then 5 years old, with older brother, Ryan, then

6 years old, pose for a family photo before trick or treating in their neighborhood.

Courtesy Photo

Oct. 30, 2009 • 21The Ranger Opinion

Editor:

Your article titled “Additional financial aid

available” came right on time for me. Besides

being a college student, I am also a mother of

two. I am currently unemployed so any funds I

do receive go toward continuing my education

and taking care of my family.

At the point when the article came out, my

household was in financial distress, and we

weren’t really too sure how things were going

to work out.

Luckily, I like to get a dose of campus news

every Friday from The Ranger.

When I picked up the issue on Oct. 9, I nearly

jumped out of my seat at the sight of the offer-

ing of free money.

Those two words have to be my most favor-

ite words in the world: free and money!

The National Center for Education Statistics

indicates that 50 percent of all college grads

have an average of $10,000 or more to pay

back on their college loans (http://www.finan-

cialaidfinder.com/real-cost-of-student-loans.

html), so the fact that this was a grant that I

wouldn’t have to pay back was appealing to

me as well.

The following Tuesday, I rushed to my high

school (Sam Houston) and requested my tran-

script.

Wednesday, I was able to stop at the finan-

cial aid office where I was able to talk with

Madeline Lester.

She was very friendly and helpful, informing

me that my check would be coming sooner than

I had actually anticipated.

I walked into that office a little apprehensive

about the idea of free money and how easy

everything would be, and walked out with a

huge weight lifted from my shoulders.

The fact that reading an article had such a

big impact on my life prompted me to encour-

age others to read The Ranger and inform them

about the additional financial aid that had

become available.

Just as it has helped me, I am hoping that

someone else will be liberated from the strong-

holds of finances.

Knowing that I will have money coming

soon has eased my mind and helped me to stay

focused on my studies rather than worrying

about my money situation at home.

I appreciate The Ranger for being there to

“hit the nail on the head” and deliver the news

that will have a positive impact on its readers.

Tamara Sayles

Journalism Freshman

LettersReader strikes gold

When I picked up the issue of Oct. 9, I nearly jumped out of my seat at the sight of the offering of

free money.

22 • Oct. 30, 2009 The RangerPulse

By Tyler K. Cleveland

A female student was treated by EMS on the

second floor of Loftin Student Center Oct. 22 for

what her friends said was an anxiety attack.

LVN Josie Noriega of the college health center

declined to comment on the incident but offered

some information about the effects of anxiety and

panic disorders.

“Some may feel it coming, some don’t,” Noriega

said, but there are ways to handle the respiratory

distress without panicking.

Anxiety is the body’s response to stress, which

may be internalized from external forces such as

family and work life, Noriega said. It’s when anxiety

becomes excessive and uncontrolled that it can

become an anxiety disorder or panic attack.

The body responds with an increased heart rate

and respiratory levels, caused by the shortness of

breath and lack of oxygen to the lungs. Tingling of

the arms, cramping and even fainting are some of

the effects caused by anxiety attacks, Noriega said.

Some people report feeling as if they are suffer-

ing a heart attack, she said.

Many patients diagnosed with anxiety and

panic disorders are provided the tools they need

to handle an attack, including medication and

breathing exercises, she said.

If an anxiety or panic attack occurs, Noriega

recommends that students remain calm by breath-

ing in through the nose and out slowly through the

mouth to lower respiratory rates.

Students can visit the health center in Room

119 of Chance to relax until the attack subsides.

“Students don’t have to call 911 first,” Noriega

said, noting that the center can “more or less take

care of the situation.”

The center can be reached by calling 486-0222.

Until help arrives, Noriega said companions

should remind the stricken person about the

breathing technique to calm them.

For more information on anxiety and panic

disorders, visit the Anxiety Disorder Association of

America’s Web site at http://www.adaa.org.

Upcoming gameswomen’s soccer

3 p.m. Oct. 31 @ SACvs. Abilene Christian

3 p.m. Nov. 8 @ SAC

vs. A&M Corpus Christi

3 p.m. Nov. 15 @ Abilene Christian

Nurse: Don’t panic in panic attack

Campus police and paramedics respond to a student

having a panic attack in Loftin Oct. 22.

Destiny Mata

The Ranger Pulse Oct. 30, 2009 • 23

By Tyler K. Cleveland

The Lady Rangers defeated St. Philip’s College Oct. 22,

dominating the Tigers in three of four games in Candler

Physical Education Center.

After trailing by a close margin halfway through the

first game, biology

sophomore Bethany

Watson put her team

in the lead with a

kill at 17-16, and the

Lady Rangers held

off the Tigers to win

25-23.

At the break,

Coach Marisa

Martinez urged her

team to communi-

cate with each other and call out the ball coverage.

But the coach’s words didn’t translate into positive

action — the Tigers capitalized on the miscommunica-

tion and won the second game 15-25.

This prompted a comeback from the Lady Rangers.

Led by the defensive efforts of American Sign Language

sophomore Stephanie Muñoz and a punishing offensive

of kinesiology sophomore Jasmine Faison’s eight kills, the

Lady Rangers coasted to a 25-11 win.

The Lady Rangers “came together and stayed together

through the last game,” Martinez said after winning

25-18. Faison added seven more kills, tallying the most

of any player on the evening.

“We didn’t have energy at the beginning,” Martinez

said.

Communications sophomore Nicole Plata rated the

performance as something to improve upon.

“It was probably our weakest game,” Plata said,

noting that the team lacked cohesiveness. “We need to

establish ourselves as a team.”

They will visit the Palo Alto College Lady Palominos

at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in the natatorium/gymnasium complex.

The undefeated Lady Rangers were scheduled to play

Northwest Vista College Wildcats at 7 p.m. Thursday in

Huisache Hall.

For more information, call Aaron Tavitas, assistant

coordinator of student leadership/activities, at 486-0134.

Photos by Destiny Mata

Biology freshman Faith Evans blocks a ball by Victoria College. The women’s volleyball team won against

Victoria College Oct. 22 in Candler.

American Sign Language sophomore Stephanie Muñoz returns

the ball against the St. Philip’s College Tigers Oct. 22 in

Candler.

Lady Rangerstame Tigers in volleyball win

Upcoming gameswomen’s volleyball

7 p.m. Nov. 5 @ PACvs. Palo Alto College

7 p.m. Nov. 12 @ SAC

vs. Trinity University

7 p.m. Nov. 19 @ Victoriavs. Victoria College

7 p.m. Dec. 3 @ SPCvs. St. Philip’s College

8 p.m. Jan. 21 @ SACvs. Northwest Vista College

“It was probably our weakest game. We need to establish ourselves as a team.”

Nicole Platacommunications

sophomore

Undefeated team wins three of four

matches Oct. 22.


Theater sophomore Ray Seams prepares visitors to

the Bloody Ball, the Onstage Drama Club’s haunted

house, to encounter frightening characters.

Crowd views “corpse” in theater sophomore Ray

Seams’ group trekking through the haunted house.

Theater sophomore Grace George retouches

theater freshman Amanda Villareal’s make up

just before the Bloody Ball’s start.

Theater sophomore Lupe Zapata decorates the haunted

house entrance on the north site of Loftin Oct. 23.

Digital design sophomore Lorlyn

Reeves practices with the rest of

the Onstage Drama Club a few

minutes before opening.

Theater freshman James Bond and business admin-

istration freshman Silvia Aguilar practice dancing

before the first group enters the haunted house.

Theater and RTF sophomore John

Perez and theater sophomore

Barbara Reeves portray a mother

and her murderous daughter.

Bloody BallOnstage Drama Club creates chills and thrills.

Photos by Leda Garcia

the ranger oct. 30, 2009

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