the ranger sept. 11, 2009

THE RANGER

Changes since then to first responder training 7

PARKING DILEMMA 14, 30

NEW CELL PHONE, SEATBELT LAWS 5

STUDENTS FOOT BUDGET INCREASE 22

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

Vol. 84, Issue 1 Sept. 11, 2009

Juan Carlos Campos

9/11

2 • Sept. 11, 2009 The Ranger

By Jason B. Hogan

Playland Park, the proposed 12.6-acre site

for a new district headquarters, met approval

for funding of its demolition stage Tuesday

— awarded to Circle Bar A Inc. — during the

Alamo Community College District’s Buildings,

Grounds and Site Selection Committee meet-

ing.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of

facilities, said Circle Bar A met the lowest-

fund criteria for contract approval with a bid

of $86,934.82, and, therefore,

should be awarded the con-

tract, along with a 10 percent

contingency.

A total of 21 vendors

requested specifications for the project from the

district, Strybos said, but only eight responses

were received.

Playland Park has been a heated debate

across the district since its original proposal last

fall. Faculty vehemently protested any concepts

of the project, and the agenda item was pulled

from the December 2008 board meeting.

The park existed from 1947-1980, and some

of the attractions changed properties and own-

ership, but the overall site has remained intact.

Strybos said the site clearance is to avoid a

directive from the city of San Antonio to clear

the site, although the district has received no

such directive.

“It’s a public hazard, and we have to do that

in order to protect the public,” he said. “We

don’t want to get that directive from the city that

says we are not in compliance.”

Once the district receives a written order

from the city, then it will be plastered on the

front page of newspapers as negative exposure,

he said.

Strybos said it is a must that the district stays

proactive and stay “on the front end of things.”

In the spring, the

site was tested for asbes-

tos, and lead-based paint

was discovered in May.

Facility Programming and

Consulting Inc. performed a space assessment

to determine how much land would be needed,

which would provide some perspective for an

estimated cost to further advance the project.

After the asbestos and lead-based paint were

removed from the site, it left the area in worse

shape, Strybos said, so that made the need for

demolition and site clearance more immediate.

At a previous committee meeting June 9,

Strybos estimated that the preliminary cost

projection was $131 million.

In that same meeting, James McLaughlin,

vice chancellor for finance and administration,

left the board with six options for developing

the site during that June session: general obli-

gation bonds, revenue bonds, maintenance tax

notes, public facility corporation, a developer

and partner relationship, or a strict developer

option.

On June 8, the board unanimously trans-

ferred responsibility for planning and in-depth

information gathering to Dr. Gene Sprague,

chair of the Buildings, Grounds and Site

Selection Committee.

So far, Strybos said there are no further

developments in line for Playland Park past the

demolition and site clearance stage.

But even this stage of the project cannot

advance without deliberation and approval

from the trustees at the regular board meeting

Tuesday.

Strybos said vendors must produce required

insurance and bonds documentation if the

board awards the contract Tuesday.

Demolition could begin as early as Oct. 1,

Strybos said.

As reported in The Ranger June 22, following

the demolition stage, the next steps would be

community forums and design solicitation.

The board’s regular September meeting is at

6 p.m. Tuesday at Killen Center, 201 W. Sheridan.

The public can sign up from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. to

speak at the citizens-to-be-heard session.

Remnants of Playland Park slated for demolition

The site of the possible new

headquarters for the Alamo

Community College District,

2222 N. Alamo, will be cleared.

File Photo

Officials are trying to minimize

liability to the district.

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 3

4 Blotter

5 Drivers bewareBy Henry A. Chavarria

2 News

6 Staff Council complains about employee servicesBy Vanessa M. SanchezPhoto by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

7 9/11 changes protective servicesBy Laura GarciaCover illustration by Juan Carlos Campos

7 Obama draws emotional responsesBy Zahra FarahPhoto by Destiny Mata

8 Chancellor’s $30,000 bonusBy Jason B. Hogan

9 District redirects vending revenue from student lifeBy Vanessa SanchezPhoto by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

11 Early college high school opens on NLCBy Laura GarciaPhotos by Destiny Mata

12 GoGreen expandsBy Steven L. Moya

13 Departments merge as cost saverBy Zahra Farah

14 Academic Council reviews parking, printersBy Vanessa M. SanchezPhotos by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

20 Early retirement plan goes to boardBy Jason B. HoganPhotos by Destiny Mata

21 Students join accreditation committeeBy Regis L. Roberts

22 Students foot the bill for budget increaseBy Jason B. HoganPhotos by Destiny Mata

26 Town hall renews nuclear questionsBy Trey Randolph

15 People

16 Premiere

8 Blockbuster movie nights begin this monthBy Emilio Davila

16 Tejano Heritage Month celebrationStory and photos by Leda Garcia

18 Planetarium reopensBy Emilio Davila

19 Calendar

24 EditorialsEditorial CartoonParkingAccreditationFull-time vs. adjunct ratio

29 PulseHealth Center provides free servicesBy Tyler L. ClevelandPhoto by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Sept. 11, 2009Vol. 84 • Issue 1

Only online @ theranger.org

Triple-digit heat closes child development center

Photo slideshow of Judson Early College Academy

Photo slideshow sports and cheer tryouts

Photo slideshow St. Philip’s dancer in Alamo Plaza

Hispanic Heritage Month’s campus calendar

Government and economic departments merge

Editorial Loss of vending machine revenue

When you see this symbol,

go to www.theranger.org

for more info.

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


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 Conner13306 Hunters Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78230Home: 493-7176 Fax: 493-7909 E-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: 375-2555 Home 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

Aug 17 - An individual report-

ed damage/vandalism to

vending machine in Moody.

An individual reported suspi-

cious person near McAllister.

Report taken.

An individual reported dam-

age to personal vehicle.

An individual reported injury

in McCreless. EMS arrived;

transport not needed.

Aug. 18 - An individual report-

ed graffiti between McCreless

and McAllister.

An individual reported dam-

age/vandalism to personal

vehicle.

An individual reported miss-

ing female. Female located.

Aug. 19 -An individual report-

ed injury. EMS refused.


ed suspicious person.


ed unable to locate small child

in Loftin. Child located on the

second floor.


cious person. Subject located.

Everything found to be OK.


ed burglary of vehicle. Suspect

found and processed at SAC

DPS office.


ed suspicious person. Contact

made with suspect; transport-

ed off campus.

Aug. 25 - An officer assisted

SAPD with motor vehicle acci-

dent. No visible injuries.

An individual reported a stray

dog. All found to be OK.


ed injury at the Methodist

Student Center.


ed injury in Moody.

An individual reported theft

of personal property. No sus-

pects.

Aug. 31 - An individual

reported suspicious person in

Moody. Suspect found.

An individual reported theft in

Candler. No suspects.

PALO ALTO COLLEGE


reported injury at the GE

building stairs.


cious person in Ozuna library

building. Suspicious person

located. No further incident.


reported damage to district

vehicle.

Aug. 21 - An officer assisted

with cutting of locks in the

performing arts building.

Locker emptied.


reported suspicious behavior

in First Responders Academy.

An individual reported vehicle

parked more than 48 hours

in Lot 8.


reported suspicious person at

Ozuna.

An individual reported a

camera stolen/missing from

applied technology building.


reported theft of personal

property.


reported illness in executive

offices.


reported injury in learning

lab.

ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE


reported suspicious person in

Watson.


reported active fire alarm.

ATM machine found to be

problem.

An individual reported male

subject causing a disturbance

in the Welcome Center.

An individual staff member

reported missing district

property.


reported injury. EMS treat-

ment refused. Individual

transported to her vehicle.

SOUTHWEST CAMPUS


reported a fire alarm activa-

tion. Alarm was only being

tested.

NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW

COLLEGE


reported illness at Pat Booker

Road. EMS arrived and trans-

ported individual .


reported illness by Judson

Early College Academy. EMS

arrived. Individual reported

Blotter



reported found property. An

individual reported suspicious

person. Individuals located.


reported found property.

Item placed in property

locker.


reported falling and being

injured. Campus nurse treat-

ed individual.

An individual reported losing

or missing add/drop slip.


reported damage to district

vehicle.

An officer assisted Universal

City Police with minor traffic

accident.

NORTHWEST VISTA

COLLEGE


reported damage/vandalism

to personal vehicle. Suspect

indentified.


cious activity on campus.


reported a suspicious person

on west lakeside area of cam-

pus. Report taken. No further

incident.


reported lost personal prop-

erty.


reported suspicious person.

No one located.


reported vehicle blocking his

vehicle.


reported suspicious person.

Report taken.

An individual reported lost/

missing personal property.


reported a person pointed a

gun at him following a minor

vehicle accident. Suspect

identifed.

An officer issued a criminal

trespass warning.

An individual reported

injury in front of the Cypress

Campus Center. EMS trans-

ported individual for further

treatment.


reported a vehicle parked in a

manner obstructing the flow

of traffic. Attempt to locate

owner unsuccessful.

ContaCt InfoEmergency222-0911

General DPS485-0099

Weather Line485-0189

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Violations: Officer Jerry Alonzo writes out a ticket Aug. 31 on the fifth level of the campus parking garage. Alonzo wrote

out 10 tickets to cars illegally parking on the thorougfare of the lot. Parking tickets are a $12 fine and $18 if not paid

within 10 working days.

By Jason B. Hogan

Moody Learning Center was evacuated prior

to 9 a.m. Sept. 3 after a fire alarm sounded,

facilities superintendent David Ortega said.

As of now, Ortega said the alarm was ruled

accidental.

An electrician tripped the alarm on the third

floor while working with wiring in the building

during a renovation project, Ortega said.

“The contractor working on the third floor

shorted out a device causing the alarm to go

off,” he said.

He said he would not know the actual origi-

nation of the alarm until after lunch when the

contractors make their daily report to his office.

Students, faculty, library personnel and

other employees exited the seven-story build-

ing and waited outside for permission to return

to classes and work.

Efforts to reach the district department of

public safety were unsuccessful.

Moody evacuation

Drivers bewareBy Henry a. CHavarria

The Texas Legislature passed two laws that

will significantly alter the way drivers and pas-

sengers behave behind the wheel after Sept. 1.

According to the Texas Department of Public

Safety Web site, under current law, drivers and

front-seat passengers require seatbelts.

Existing laws only require that backseat pas-

sengers aged 14 years and younger wear seat-

belts.

The new law extends the seatbelt require-

ment to all backseat passengers, regardless of

age. It also requires that children 8 years and

younger be seated in safety or booster seats.

The second law prohibits talking on a hand-

held cell phone while driving in an active school

zone. School zones will now have an addi-

tional traffic sign that reads “Hand held mobile

phones prohibited.”

“The early childhood center does not have

new traffic signs but already has flashing yellow

traffic lights to alert drivers of the school zone,”

Assistant Director Alfonso Ortiz said.

Also new are HB 2730 and HB 339, which

restrict drivers younger than 18 from using a

wireless communication device while operating

a motor vehicle. The use of a device cannot be

used to make a routine traffic stop.


By Vanessa M. sanchez

Of the 171 district employees who applied,

35 received pay adjustments ranging from $1 to

$5,000, the Staff Council president announced

at the Sept. 1 meeting.

The Alamo Community College District

board of trustees announced Aug. 18 that $1

million would be allotted to adjust pay of full-

time employees for fiscal year 2009-10.

Nick Benedetto, the council’s reporter/his-

torian, suggested members of the Staff Council

submit a list of questions to employee services

concerning qualifications for the adjustment,

decision makers and the colleges that applied

for the adjustment.

Staff Council President Geraldo Guerra sug-

gested all council members e-mail the ques-

tions to him by Sept. 4.

The employees appealed salary and clas-

sifications made by an employee compensation

and compression study done by Fox Lawson &

Associates.

Henry Castillo, optical scanner and resi-

dency technician, said he is not upset that some

employees in the admissions and records office

received a pay adjustment.

He said he continues to work two jobs

because of a “lack of manpower” while receiv-

ing the same pay.

Castillo said his concerns are not on the

monies earned but on the time spent with the

district trying to get organized.

“I don’t mind really, it’s no big deal, I’m just

waiting for things to get back to the way they

were,” he said.

He said he is not too happy about working

both jobs while being one of the lowest paid.

“You can’t complain; at least you have a job,”

Castillo continued.

President-elect Anthony Perez, financial aid

adviser, countered saying this kind of situation

goes with working at a college.

Velia Tovar, parliamentarian for Staff

Council, said any problems employees have

should first go through that person’s depart-

ment channels.

The council also discussed the compli-

cations of communicating with the district’s

employee services department.

Still, Benedetto questioned, “As a council,

what can we do to help?”

Joan Fabian, visual resource specialist, said

she does the same work as another person in

her department, but she said she receives less

pay.

She requested the adjustment and title

change, but employee services officials denied

her request.

Fabian said she later received a four-page

letter that made no sense to her or her chair-

person.

“Can’t someone just put it in plain English?”

Fabian said.

“Don’t give us a four-page letter.”

Tovar said she is in the same position and

discussed her frustration with an experience

she had with a co-worker who was denied the

adjustment.

The co-worker received a rejection letter

addressed with an incorrect title.

“How much attention was put into this if

they couldn’t get the title correct on the letter?”

Tovar asked.

She also said some people received a pay

adjustment but no letter.

Guerra said he will e-mail all questions to

the employee services department for further

information.

He can be reached at [email protected].

Linda Boyer-Owens, associate vice chancel-

lor for employees services, could not be reached

for comment.

Staff Council complains about employee servicesConcerns focus on poor

communication and pay inequities.

Judith Clark, Henry Castillo and Cindy Morton discuss pay adjustments at this college’s Staff Council meeting Sept. 1 in visual arts.


“Can’t someone just put it in plain English? Don’t give us a four-page letter.”

Joan Fabianvisual resource specialist


By Laura Garcia

The protective services department has

undergone changes in the eight years since

Sept. 11, 2001, as the terrorist attacks on the

World Trade Center and Pentagon made the

nation more aware of the need for emergency

services.

An Emergency Management and Homeland

Security associate of applied science degree was

added two years after the national disaster.

The department has since seen about a 20

percent to 30 percent increase in enrollment of

its programs.

The department also includes fire science

and emergency medical services.

“We’ve certainly focused more on emer-

gency management,” said Gary Fox, protective

services chair and fire science coordinator.

Fox said the curriculum was expanded to

give students a better grasp of how to react in

terrorist and natural disaster situations.

As reported in the Feb. 8, 2008, issue of The

Ranger, the Alamo Community College District

approved the building of a $600,000 fire sci-

ence and emergency medical services training

facility.

The facility opened this summer on 60 acres

of land off Interstate 35 South just south of Von

Ormy.

Students go to classes 40 hours a week and

can finish in one semester or opt to take night

courses 28 hours a week for about a semester

and a half.

The Emergency Management and Homeland

Security certificate program was created by

emergency medical services Coordinator J.D.

Richardson in 2003.

The syllabus for EMAP 1176, Internship,

states that upon completion of the course, the

students will be able to develop a disaster plan,

identify the functions of the plan, communicate

orally with various departments and municipal

directors, explain the process for declaring a

disaster, perform risk assessments, and develop

a tabletop function and field exercise based on

the entity’s emergency plan.

In the Introduction to Homeland Security,

HMSY 1337, students study the evolution of

the Department of Homeland Security, hazards

associated with terrorist acts and response and

recovery actions.

Richardson said it is just another route to

prepare students for jobs dealing with disaster

in both the public sector and private.

“The degrees are becoming more necessary

in the field,” Richardson said in a telephone

interview.

The San Antonio International Airport

offered 48 officers free enrollment last semes-

ter in the course and many will return in the

spring, Richardson said.

The Transportation Security Administration

is trying to get a program set up here to train

its officers. TSA only set up two other pilot

programs in Anne Arundel (Arnold, Maryland)

and Northern Virginia community colleges,

Richardson said.

The college’s Curriculum Review and

Evaluation Committee recently approved mod-

ifications to the Homeland Security syllabus

offering a transportation option for TSA.

“It’s for people interested in Homeland

Security,” he said. “Basically it’s a career

enhancement.”

9/11 changes protective servicesAssociate degree added to meet

needs of new climate.

By Zahra Farah

Silence swept the craft room

of Loftin Student Center when

President Barack Obama gave his

back-to-school speech Tuesday to

students at Wakefield High School

in Arlington, Va.

About 60 students from several

classes and some on their lunch

break were all eyes on the televi-

sion screen as Obama encouraged

American youth to concentrate on

studies, “because if you quit on

school – you’re not just quitting on

yourself, you’re quitting on your

country,” he said.

The speech generated con-

troversy before it aired, with crit-

ics claiming Obama might use it

to advance his political agenda.

Officials at two of San Antonio’s

largest public school districts,

North East and Northside, refused

to allow teachers to air the address

during school hours.

Faculty at this college were

invited to tune in or bring students

to Loftin to watch Obama’s speech.

Some of the students in Loftin were

from Asslan Khaligh’s government

class, Isabel Garcia’s class on archi-

tecture, society and culture, and

Amy White’s and Casey Lechuga’s

student development classes.

Students interviewed said they

were grabbed by Obama’s notion

of not “letting failure define you;

rather to let your failures teach

you.”

“So if you get in trouble, that

doesn’t mean you’re a troublemak-

er, it means you need to try harder

to act right,” he said. “If you get

a bad grade, that doesn’t mean

you’re stupid, it just means you

need to spend more time study-

ing.”

Lechuga said a historic moment

like this was too big to pass up, so

he decided to bring his student

development class.

Liberal arts sophomore Kevin

Williams said, “It inspires dropouts

to go back to school and maybe

focus.”

Some said the speech was more

appropriate for elementary and

high school students than college

students.

Obama speech draws emotional responses

Students watch President Barack Obama’s speech about the importance of finishing one’s

education in Loftin Tuesday.

Destiny Mata

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27


By Jason B. Hogan

Chancellor Bruce Leslie stands to receive a

deferred compensation payment of a $30,000

annuity Oct. 31 from the Alamo Community

College District upon completion of his initial

three-year term under provisions in his original

employment contract.

The contract covered his employment

with the district from Sept. 1, 2006,

through Monday. The chancellor

began work Nov. 1, 2006.

Chairman Denver McClendon

said the $30,000 annuity is meant to

be a retention bonus.

“If you have to search for a new

chancellor, it can cost $100,000,”

McClendon said.

It has been three years since the

board of trustees chose Leslie as the succeeding

chancellor of the district, following the three-

year tenure of Dr. J. Terence Kelly.

During an Aug. 25 special board meeting,

trustees approved a review of Leslie’s contract,

while in a phone interview Aug. 27, McClendon

said he believes they will unanimously approve

a new contract for Leslie.

The Ranger reported Leslie’s original con-

tract extension Sept. 11, 2008, after the board

renegotiated it to include two additional years

ending Aug. 31, 2011.

The 2007-08 budget listed Leslie’s salary at

$289,999.92 in the personnel register.

Leslie received a 4 percent increase in his

base salary from the board, coinciding with

staff raises of the same percentage, after the fis-

cal year 2009 budget was approved by trustees

Aug. 5, 2008.

The contract offered then to Leslie — effec-

tive Aug. 28, 2008, through Aug. 31, 2011 — pro-

vided a base annual salary of $313,633.84, and

any annual increases considered by the board

subject to the chancellor’s performance and

evaluation.

This contract also allowed for

fringe benefits afforded to the chan-

cellor, including a $1,000 per month

vehicle allowance, along with a gas

card, authorized use of the Plaza

Club through a district membership,

payment of a term life insurance pol-

icy twice the amount of Leslie’s base

salary, and an unlimited amount of

vacation-day accrual, which will be

payable to the chancellor in cash at the conclu-

sion of his employment with the district.

All district administrators are able to receive

cash from accrued vacation days following the

end of their employment through the district,

McClendon said.

According to district policy, however,

employees lose any unused vacation days at the

end of each fiscal year.

He said because of the chancellor’s leader-

ship “all the colleges are working more in har-

mony to bring about needed efficiency.”

But the district is currently in the red, and

recently, it was announced that it experienced a

$7 million shortfall.

McClendon said there are only three sources

of revenue the district relies on: state funding,

property taxes, and tuition and fees.

“We’re trying to keep tuition as low as pos-

sible,” he said. “And we’re trying to hold our tax

rate. We have no control over the state.”

McClendon also said Leslie and his staff

have implemented various programs directly

in line with the charges he was given over the

last six to eight months: increase student suc-

cess, examine the possibility of single joint-level

accreditation for the district, and review the

costs of textbooks to execute a reduction in

those costs.

The new contract remains in negotiation

and, presently, resides with the district legal

services department.

Evaluation of the contract was supposed to

conclude the week of Aug. 31, and McClendon

said the board expected to have a tangible con-

tract in hand for Leslie by the end of August.

Leslie was unavailable for comment,

although he directed Leo Zuniga, associate vice

chancellor of communications, to speak on his

behalf.

Zuniga took the questions meant for Leslie

but was unable to provide any new information.

Chancellor to collect $30,000 bonusChairman says all district

administrators get accruedvacation pay.

Bruce Leslie

By Emilio Davila

“Star Trek” kicks off the fall series of free outdoor movies sponsored by

the office of student life.

The first Friday Night Movie, a monthly event that seeks to bring about

a relaxed atmosphere where students and the community can share some

movie magic, is set for 7:20 p.m. Sept. 25 in the mall.

The movie screening is free for students with district ID; others may

attend for $1 or a donation of one can of food for this college’s Food

Pantry. Viewers may bring their own chairs.

Previous turnout for the outdoor movies has been estimated at 300

to 600 people at each movie, said Aaron Tavitas, assistant coordinator of

student activities. The event is “a way to bring the student body and com-

munity together” to enjoy themselves, he said.

Food provided by various student clubs, such as Teaching Academy

Program Peers, American Institute of Architecture Students and the

Psychology Club, will be sold during the movie.

“Star Trek,” which is the most recent of the official Star Trek canon of

movies, is rated PG-13 and runs approximately 127 minutes.

Friday Night Movies scheduled for October and November are “Up”

and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

For more information, call 486-1300.

Movie nights on mall begin Sept. 25 with ‘Star Trek’

Trustees are likely to approve the chancellor’s new contract at the regular board meeting Tuesday, and the board chairman said trustees will offer a vote of confidence for Leslie.

Courtesy



District colleges will no longer get to keep

revenue from vending machines and game

tables and a percentage of profits from the

bookstore and cafeteria.

Money from these auxiliary accounts is now

collected by the Alamo Community College

District and redistributed in the budgets allot-

ted to each of the colleges, James McLaughlin,

vice chancellor for finance and administration,

said in a phone interview Wednesday.

These funds totaling $1.6 million to $2 mil-

lion across the district can be used for employee

development and hospitality expenses, he said.

McLaughlin said all the money “was put into

a pot” and will be redistributed based on size of

the colleges.

He said every college will receive money

from that “pot” included in their budget, and

the colleges will now have to decide how much

to spend and where to spend it.

McLaughlin said last

year the board of trustees

agreed on legal options to

save money.

He said the 1 percent

this college received from

the San Antonio College

Bookstore would not nec-

essarily be returned to this

college because it would

not be fair as not all the colleges have a book

store.

McLaughlin said the college’s bookstores are

no longer the primary place for students to shop

so revenues may decline.

The office of student life at this college pre-

viously was allowed to use revenue from the

vending machines and game tables to purchase

and maintain pool tables and the gaming area,

bring in entertainment and award scholarships.

Student life Director Jorge Posadas wrote in

an e-mail Tuesday: “A board member informed

me that there were district needs that could not

be funded with taxpayer or tuition funds.”

According to that e-mail, student life made

about $60,000 in auxiliary funds last year that

the office used for student orientation and the

“chill lounge,” an area designed by this college’s

architecture students. That area will no longer

exist, he wrote.

Posadas wrote that he does not know “how

this will affect the office of student life program-

ming, at this time since I do not have this year’s

budget.”

He wrote that he has “no

opinion on the change.”

In an interview Tuesday,

Kathy Armstrong, former

student life director and

now working with the dean

of learning resources, said

a community college’s stu-

dent’s lifestyle should not be

different from that of a university student.

She said she learned a lot from events her

first years in college, including seeing Neil

Diamond and the Mamas and the Papas per-

form in events sponsored by the college’s stu-

dent life funds.

“That was a part of my growing up,”

Armstrong said.

Armstrong said she believes money earned

from students should return to those students

and what is earned from a certain college

should stay at that college.

That money should be spent on extracur-

ricular activities that support academics and to

bring in artists, speakers, writers, scientists and

others to influence the students, she said.

This will put students one step ahead, she

said. “It’s an environmental change that chal-

lenges students, and I think we’re responsible

for it.”

A large number of

people grow up “cultur-

ally illiterate,” she said.

“You’re limited only by

your lack of vision.”

She said when she

was student life director,

she had Chinese acro-

batic performances and

shows by the National

Shakespeare Company, and nationally known

speakers such as consumer watchdog Ralph

Nader and poet Maya Angelou.

“For me, it’s always about the student and

what we can expose them to,” Armstrong said.

“Money should stay here,” Armstrong said.

“I rest my case.”

McLaughlin said it is possible that this

change will take a while for everyone to get

used to, but student life will continue receiving

money from the student activity fee students

pay with tuition.

McLaughlin said student life also has the

choice to raise money from additional program-

ming.

District redirects college revenuePriscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Students buy from vending machines Sept. 9 in Chance. Money from the machines on this campus, 1 percent of the

bookstore’s revenues and a portion of the cafeteria’s profits will go to the district, then be distributed to each college.

“You’re limited only by your lack of vision.”

Kathy Armstrongformer student life director

Vending and video game income no longer funds student life events.

James McLaughlin


By Laura Garcia

Northeast Lakeview College donated part of its land and teamed up

with Judson Independent School District to create a different kind of high

school.

The Judson Early College Academy opened its doors Aug. 24 to 123

freshmen. The program offers students a chance to earn an associate

degree along with their high school diploma at no cost to them.

“I think it’s a great experience for us

because we have to work very hard to get

here,” freshman Nico Esparza, 14, said.

These students traded a tradition-

al high school experience for JECA. The

school was offered to eighth graders living

in the Judson district with strict criteria

including 97 percent or higher attendance,

passing all classes with a 75 percent mini-

mum, and no major disciplinary problems.

But that wasn’t it. They had to commit

to a true focus on academics. The acad-

emy didn’t want students to feel pressured

into the program by their parents. Unlike

the other high schools in the district, this

school has no organized sports.

The freshmen will compete in Destination Imagination and University

of Interscholastic League academic competitions, and the school plans to

offer the Academic Decathlon next year.

“They have to really want to be here,” Principal Yvonne Anglada said

during an interview Sept. 8.

Initially, 489 students applied for the high school. Anglada stressed at

the end of a November 2008 meeting with parents that it would be “very

challenging.” At that time it was to be a five-year plan.

The students have a longer school day, starting at 8:30 a.m. until 4:45

p.m. and have shorter school breaks just like many college students.

In 2006, a $12 million bond was approved by Judson Independent

School District. Then research was started to decide what worked and did

not work at other early college schools.

There were nearly 15 different committees working on the school. It

was finally decided the program should be only four years in which stu-

dents take summer courses after their sophomore and junior year.

The students’ courses are dual-credit with extra hours for tutoring and

a leadership class. They take three college courses in the sophomore year,

then four during junior year and work up to seven the senior year. College

physics and sociology are taken during the summer.

Anglada said it was important that the students graduate together at

the end of their fourth year. The freshmen are already busy thinking about

taking a senior cruise and discussing plans for prom.

The students are marketing their own clubs to the student body

including an animal care club, Make A Wish, Students Against Drunk

Driving, skating and JAM (JECA’s artists and musicians). They will also

be able to join the National Honor Society, student council and any clubs

offered at the college.

They are just a short walk from the college where they take a kinesiol-

ogy course this year. Students were able to choose from any non contact

course ranging from yoga to kickboxing.

Anglada said that in a traditional high school with a student body of

3,000, some students might get lost. At JECA, every student has a star on

the wall of the student center. They earn star stickers to add on theirs

whenever they show an example of leadership. The large room is filled

with round tables instead of the traditional long cafeteria tables.

On the opposite wall, banners hang from colleges across the country.

When they graduate from JECA, they will have earned an associate degree

offered by Northeast Lakeview College and will transfer as a college junior.

“Too often kids have to take developmental classes in college,”

Anglada said. “We want to avoid that. I want them to leave here and know

exactly what they are doing.”

Anglada said they wanted to mirror the demographics at the other

Judson high schools; for example they have about a 49 percent Hispanic

student body.

They are targeting first-time college students and strive to keep class

sizes small along with heavy student support by faculty.

“I just thought maybe coming here would help me get a jump start on

my life because I see my parents living paycheck to paycheck,” Carrianna

White, 14, said. “Maybe coming here I can get into a good college and get

a good job.”

HS freshmen on track for diploma, degree in 4 years

Shevonna Ravenel, 14, freshman at Judson Early College Academy, helps classmates

conduct an experiment with sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride to test chemicals

for reactions during a chemistry lab Tuesday.

Freshman Carrianna White, 14, and fellow students from her leadership class drop eggs,

which were tightly wrapped with straws and tape, from the overpass of JECA.

Yvonne Anglada

Photos by Destiny Mata


By Steven L. Moya

“GoGreen,” this college’s campus wide recycling

program, is expanding to encourage more student

organizations to get involved.

Public relations director Deborah Martin will be

providing all participating buildings with recycling

toters that will be able to handle paper, plastic, glass

and aluminum.

There will be at least 150 toters that are smaller

and more manageable than the bins provided to San

Antonio residents for recycling. The campus toters

are wheeled for easy transport to designated pick-up

destinations.

In conjunction with the toters, this college will be

provided with a compactor and recycling truck that

will pick up recycled contents twice a week at partici-

pating buildings.

Work-study “supervisors” will coordinate with

participating GoGreen club officers once the loca-

tions of the drop-off toters are known. Sept. 28 is the

tentative start-up date for the program.

The goal is to have 30 clubs sponsor 30 buildings

on campus, with clubs taking responsibility for the

buildings where their members typically meet. The

American Institute of Architects Students has agreed

to sponsor the program in the Chance Academic

Center. Dwayne Bohuslav, faculty adviser for the

AIAS, also is a campus GoGreen coordinator.

The clubs’ duties will entail bi-weekly transport-

ing of the toters to the curb for pickup, and wheeling

them back after pickup. Interested clubs should elect

a GoGreen officer who will supervise and coordinate

the program in their buildings.

For their participation, GoGreen officers will

receive a GoGreen Recycling T-shirt and be invited

for a tour of the recycling process to share with fellow

students. The clubs also will be given special consid-

eration for their participation in their student activity

fee committee funding requests.

Interested clubs, as well as faculty and staff volun-

teers, may provide the names of their GoGreen offi-

cers by Sept. 15, to Carrie Hernandez, student activi-

ties specialist in the student life office, at 486-0128.

By ChriStina rangeL

“Did Tabloid Media Undermine

Freedom in Iran?” is the topic of

the Sept. 15 Hot Potato forum

sponsored by the Methodist

Student Center.

The free event will begin at

noon at the center, 102 Belknap

Place. Potatoes with the works will

be served afterward.

Asslan Khaligh, professor of

political science, and Abe Levy,

religion reporter at the San

Antonio Express-News, will be the

speakers.

The lectures will continue

every Tuesday during the fall

semester.

The Methodist Student Center

also offers worship services, Bible

study and other events.

For information, call 733-1441.

GoGreen recycling expands Hot Potato


Journalism-photography, radio-television-film and digital design merged

By Zahra Farah

Humanities is leaving the building — liter-

ally.

The humanities department has moved from

music and merged with the history department.

The reason for merging the two departments

was that humanities has more in common with

history, said Dr. Conrad Krueger Sr., dean of arts

and sciences.

When the state redid its budget

formula for the school term, it

gave fewer resources to the col-

lege, Krueger said. In some cases,

mergers were done to save money,

but for others it was just a good fit.

“With music, it becomes tech-

nical, but with history, a lot of

courses match up,” said Ronni

Pue, humanities instructor.

Communications with the

departments were easy for his-

tory and humanities faculty, espe-

cially since there is only one full-time tenure-

track faculty member, and that’s Pue, said Dr.

Jonathan A. Lee, department chair.

“It’s easy to communicate with her,” Lee

said. “We’ve had a lot of discussions.”

The idea was first proposed in the summer

and became final in early August. Humanities

will move into the history building for the

spring semester.

Lee said that in some respects not enough

time was given to handle the changes after the

departments received official word, but admin-

istration has kept in contact. Dr. Jessica Howard,

vice president of academic affairs, and Krueger

have been talking with the departments.

Howard said she feels the changes are good

for the departments.

“I will say this, the decisions were done in a

collaborative way,” Howard said.

Krueger said talks started with the adminis-

trative team and then discussion

went to the departments, so that

everyone was able to communi-

cate.

Administration wanted

merged departments to form

more opportunity for collabora-

tion.

“These departments would

be greater then the sum of their

parts,” Howard said.

“You now have them creating

new and exciting ideas by work-

ing together, in this case for the

curriculum.”

Humanities and history were not unknown

to each another. It was not a drastic move but

rather an easy transition, Pue said. The history

department put humanities faculty on their list-

serv, a source of communication between col-

leagues, as soon as possible.

“It’s important to include people so they

don’t feel left out,” said Dr. Horace Nash, depart-

ment Web master.

Lee said he has been busy, but he’s looking

forward to learning more about humanities.

“I have a strong appreciation for the visual

arts,” he said. “Particularly pertaining to ancient

cultures, I share that with Professor Pue.”

“It’s going to be interesting expanding the

course and offering more to students,” Pue said.

The biggest challenge for most people is how

to merge two different department cultures,

Lee said.

“I’m trying to do so by communicating and

learning each other’s cultures,” he said.

Some other concerns are how enough sup-

plies will be given to both areas, but this has not

been a challenge just yet.

“We haven’t physically merged,” Lee said.

“I anticipate problems, but instead of caring

about the problems, we can also look at the

potentials now that we are bigger and more

diverse.”

Still, it can be frustrating for Lee to be unable

to answer questions such as, “Will I have a com-

puter in my class?”

“If they need supplies and additional staff, it

will be addressed,” Krueger said.

“We are eager to help,” Howard said. “We

want to make the transition as easy as possible.”

Humanities has been represented well by

music, and history will do the same, Pue said.

The outlook is positive and both adminis-

tration and departments have said services for

students would not decrease.

Krueger said he would do everything possi-

ble. “I believe they will stay strong and continue

to grow,” he said.

Humanities joins history department

By Catherine L. BouLLy

Among the academic department mergers

effective with the fall semester was the merger

of the journalism-photography department,

the radio-television-film department, and the

digital design program in the visual arts depart-

ment. The new department is called media

communications.

“We’ve had a budget crunch, and this merge

seemed necessary,” said Dr. Conrad Krueger,

dean of arts and sciences.

“Journalism and radio-television-film are

both composed of media communications, so

they’re a good fit for each other,” Krueger said.

“The two departments have the same goals

and opportunities,” said Marianne Odom,

media communications chair. “With this com-

bination, it is quite possible to add degree

programs.”

Even though the departments merged, they

are still spread out physically among three

buildings: Loftin Student Center, Longwith

Radio, Television and Film, and the visual arts

center.

“It still needs a bit of organizing. It’s quite a

challenge because there are 15 part-time and 15

full-time faculty members,” Odom said.

The offices for the digital design faculty were

moved to Longwith from visual arts.

For students, the merger has opened up

more opportunities and chances to fulfill goals

and ideals, faculty said.

“If students enter the department not know-

ing what they want to do yet, we have training

for all aspects of media here,” Odom said.

The Ranger, The Ranger Online, The Fourth

Write magazine, and radio station KSYM 90.1

FM are student-produced media operating

within the new media communications depart-

ment.

Media communications combines 5 programs

Read online coverage of the

merger of the government

and economics depart-

ments.



Parking problems have subsided somewhat

after the “nightmare” of the first week, President

Robert Zeigler said Tuesday at a meeting of the

College Academic Council; however, he fielded

suggestions from council members on ways to

avoid similar problems in the future.

One suggestion was to section off an area

in the garage for motorcycles because of com-

plaints that they were taking up too much room

by using spaces designed for cars.

Dr. Robert Vela, vice president of student

services, agreed that more than one motorcycle

can fit into one parking space but as there is no

specific area in the garage for motorcycles, they

can park on a first-come-first-served basis.

Zeigler said designating an area for motorcy-

cles in the parking garage was a good idea if it is

determined this would be a long-term solution.

Zeigler said he and Tim Rockey, dean of con-

tinuing education training network, saw open

spaces around 10 a.m. one day last week in

the new student lot at Dewey Place and Ogden

Street and there were still available spaces at the

Atomix at Dewey and

McCullough Avenue

east of campus.

He also said Rockey

communicated with

VIA Metropolitan

Transit about the pos-

sibility of using buses

as shuttles from dis-

tant parking lots, but

Zeigler warned the cost

may be prohibitive.

On capital improve-

ments, David Mrizek,

vice president of col-

lege services, reported

work in Moody Learning Center is limited to the

third floor.

In response to a question from history and

humanities Chair Jonathan Lee, he said the

reserve desk in the library has been located to

the fourth floor during construction.

As a cost-cutting measure, there will soon be

fewer printers in each department.

Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communica-

tion chair, said the district will allow employees

to have their own printers, but they would have

to be serviced by the owner.

The district will no longer support printers

serving individuals.

Also during the meeting, Hunt, who also co-

chairs the Accreditation

Committee, said the

committee met Sept. 4

with its newest student

members, though only

student representa-

tives from St. Philip’s

College and this college

attended.Northeast

Lakeview, Palo Alto and

Northwest Vista colleg-

es did not send student

representatives.

Hunt said the next

meeting is Oct. 1.

(See related story

on Page 21.)

Other announcements included a new cam-

pus map that includes new building numbers

seen around the college and the acronyms of

each building to help direct first responders in

case of an emergency.

Dr. Dawn Elmore-McCrary, adviser to the

Student Government Association, announced

that Oct. 29 is Pizza with the President to intro-

duce Zeigler to students, and a tentative date of

Nov. 30 is Chilli with the Chairpersons to intro-

duce students to department chairs.

She said details would be confirmed later.

Julianne Cantu, SGA’s president, said she will

arrange a date that is best for chairpersons.

Other announcements included a Nov. 19

SAC Has Talent show in which faculty and staff

will perform to raise money for technology.

Nov. 2 is the deadline for department to sub-

mit acts to Rose Gonzales, executive assistant

in the office of the vice president of academics.

Sept. 29 is Employee Development Day,

which will be on campus for employees of this

college.

Academic Council reviews parking, printers

Jeff Hunt, theater and speech communication chair, speaks at the Academic Council meeting Tuesday on behalf of the

Accreditation Committee, which he co-chairs. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Photos by Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Plans are in place to allow students to meet with President Zeigler and department chairs.

Nominate a writerWriting center Director Frances

Crawford announced that the center is sponsoring an Excellence in Writing ceremony Oct. 23.

This will be an event open to all college departments to acknowledge and invite any current or former student to congratulate them on their writing skills.

Crawford said there is a Sept. 23 deadline to submit recognitions; there are no nominations because every student’s name submitted will be recognized. Call 486-1433.

President Robert Zeigler leads the Academic Council

meeting Tuesday in the visual arts center. Zeigler said the

parking problem is getting better although college officials

are seeking additional ways to improve the situation.

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 15People

Physics freshman Chris Chiu plays in a pingpong tournament in Loftin Tuesday and wins by 3-0 to secure the championship against nursing sophomore John

Salas, last year’s winner. Chiu, who is from Hong Kong, won a SAC Intramural pingpong T-shirt along with an i-Pod shuffle.

Destiny Mata

Ball of fury:

Choir audition:

Lab time: Computer lab technician Michael Raso

instructs Roberto Martinez, international relations sophomore,

Aug. 28 in the multimedia lab on fourth floor of Moody. The

lab lends laptops to students, and offers black-and-white and

color printing. Lab hours are from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday

through Friday. For more information, call 486-1352.

Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle Priscilla Reyna-Ovalle

Vocal performance freshman Fernando Palacios auditions for Lecturer Madeline

Elizondo. Sept. 3 in McAllister Center. Auditions were held for students to join the Jazz Choir.

16 • The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 17

Story and PhotoS by Leda Garcia

Tejano Heritage Month opened Saturday with

the Texas Tejano Breakfast in the plaza of

San Antonio’s historic landmark, the Alamo.

Crowds of tourists and proud Texans swarmed

the plaza to take part in the free festivities.

Participants were treated to a variety of free tacos and

other refreshments while entertained by folkloric perfor-

mances.

The president of Texas Tejano.com, Rudi R. Rodriguez,

hosted exhibits paying tribute to Alamo defenders Toribio

Losoya, Gregorio Esparza and Juan Seguin.

Seguin also served as a territorial governor and state

senator.

The event included historic re-enactments to help tell

the stories of the Tejanos who fought and died alongside

other heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, such as Davy

Crockett and James Bowie.

The breakfast kicked off the celebration of Tejano

Heritage Month.

The event was sponsored by Texas Tejano.com in con-

junction with the Alamo Legacy and Missions Association,

also known as ALMA, which is Spanish for soul, and the city

of San Antonio.

For more information on Tejano heritage and upcoming

events, call 673-3584 or visit www.texastejano.com.

Top: Rudi R. Rodriguez, president of Texas Tejano.com, calls out numbers

of raffle tickets to the audience at the Texas Tejano Breakfast Sept. 5.

Above: Rudi R. Rodriguez, president of Texas Tejano.com, introduces the

members of the Alamo Legacy Missions Association for the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Center: Nancy Salame, nursing sophomore at St. Philip’s College,

performs a folklorico dance during the Texas Tejano Breakfast Sept.

5 in Alamo Plaza.

Left: Members of the Alamo Legacy and Missions Association stand

together as they say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Below: Members of the association prepare flags for the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Rick Kidder, mem-

ber of the Alamo

Legacy and Missions

Association, stands

decked out in boots

with spurs.

¡Recuerdo El Alamo!

Get a calendar for

this college’s Hispanic

Heritage Month, and

view a slideshow of

more Texas Tejano

Breakfast photos.

Premiere16 • The Ranger


By Emilio Davila

Scobee Planetarium will reopen tonight,

ready to amaze the public with astronomical

wonders.

Digistar 3 technology will be part of the line-

up for the 48th season of Scobee Planetarium.

“This time, it will feel like you’re actually there,”

said reservation secretary Gina Gutierrez.

Besides the 3-D projector, the planetarium

also will resume use of the observatory tele-

scope designed to pinpoint more than 17,000

objects in the night sky. Over 10 feet tall and

sporting a 10-inch refractor, the telescope is

opened at 9:45 p.m., weather permitting.

Many of the classic shows will be available

during the day, but the school programs are

now age specific. Programs like “The Secret

of the Cardboard Box” will be well-suited for

children in second grade or higher, while more

mature shows such as “Ibex: Search for the

Edge of the Solar System” and “Black Holes” are

better suited for students who can grasp the

more advanced information, officials said.

The classic Scobee favorite “The Sky Tonight”

has been brought back by popular demand.

“Everybody wants to know what’s happening

in their back yard,” says interim planetarium

coordinator Bob Kelley. An examination of the

San Antonio night sky, “The Sky Tonight” is a

continually updated show. “As the sky changes,

the show changes,” he said.

Many teachers also incorporate the plane-

tarium into their class lectures. G. Roger Stanley,

chair of chemistry, Earth sciences and astron-

omy, said he considers it “just a big lab room”

where students and teachers can take advan-

tage of the high-tech equipment available.

The Friday night shows are free for Alamo

Colleges students and employees with ID.

School shows are offered at 9:30 a.m., 11

a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

and must be reserved in advance. Admission

after programming has begun is not permitted.

For the latest information concerning celes-

tial happenings, the planetarium offers the pub-

lic two features on their Web site.

The star chart is an actual map of star posi-

tions for each month. Sky Line identifies major

events for the month.

Both of these features can be accessed at

www.alamo.edu/sac/ce/scobee/.

Scobee Planetarium, which may be

found near the center of campus, receives

between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors each year.

Planetarium guests should park in Lot 21 on

West Park Avenue.


Every Friday the planets align at this college Courtesy Photo

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 •19

Today

SAC Event: Coffee and Open Mic Night

6:30 p.m.–10 p.m. in the Round in Loftin.

Call 486-0125.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M San Antonio 1

p.m.-4:30 p.m in the transfer center. Call

486-0864.

SAC Event: Danglewood live reggae

from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 486-

0125.

Fotoseptiembre: Rebecca Dietz exhibit

“Closer” at High Wire Arts Gallery, 326

W. Josephine, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Continues

through Sept 30. Call 320-5702.

Saturday

NVC Seminar: “The Seven Habits of

Highly Successful College Students” 9

a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 122 of Cypress.

Continues 5:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m. Thursday.

Call 486-4005.

SAC Tryouts: Softball open tryouts from

1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Olmos Basin Field. Call

486-0125.

SAC Tryouts: Men’s baseball tryouts

from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Olmos Basin Field.

Call 260-6348.

Event: “Yo Soy/I am” debut movie

screening from 6 p.m.–9 p.m. at Gallista

Gallery, 1913 Flores. Call 212-8606.

Fotoseptiembre: George Brainard’s

“Race Fans” art gallery at River City Silver,

5103 McCullough, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Continues

through Oct. 31. Call 734-2020.

Sunday

Event: McNay new members open house

1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. 6000 N. New Braunfels.

Call 824-5368.

Monday

SAC Event: Diez y Seis art exhibit 8

a.m.–8 p.m. in Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Continues through Sept. 18. Call 486-

0125.

SAC Transfer: Texas A&M San Antonio

9 p.m.-5 p.m on the first floor of Chance.

Appointments 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m in the

transfer center. Call 486-0864.

SAC Transfer: University of Texas at

San Antonio 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the first

floor of Chance. Appointments from 11:30

a.m-3:30 p.m in the transfer center. Call

486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Texas State University-

San Marcos appointments 10:30 a.m.

-4:30 p.m. in the transfer center. Call

486-0864.

SAC Shots: Flu Shots for $18 9 a.m.- 2

p.m. in Loftin. Continues Tuesday. Call

486-0125.

SAC Tourney: Monday Night Football

online tournament 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

in Loftin Cyber Café. Continues Sept. 21.

Call 486-0125.

SAC Event: Karaoke 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in

Loftin. Call 486-0125.

SAC Tourney: 8-ball pool 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

in Loftin. Call 486-0125.

SAC Meeting: Society of Mexican-

American Engineers and Scientists

2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. in Room 144 of

Chance. Call 733-2767.

Fotoseptiembre: Barbara Jackson

“Luminarias Del Rio” at AnArte Gallery,

203 S. St. Mary’s. Continues through Sept.

30. Call 271-7603.

Tuesday

SAC Event: KSYM 43rd aniversary bash

8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the mall. Call 486-1371.

Lecture: “Sounds and Silence: On the

Nature of Music” at 7:30 p.m. in Ruth

Taylor Recital Hall at Trinity University. Call

999-8406.

SAC Transfer: University of Phoenix 10

a.m.-2 p.m. on first floor of Chance. Call

486-0864.


8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the transfer center.

Call 486-0864.

SAC Event: Andrew Gignac trumpet

recital at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of

McAllister. Call 486-0269.

Wednesday

SAC Event: Hispanic Heritage opening

ceremony from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in Fiesta

Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the first floor of


SAC Meeting: Teaching Academy

Program Peers 1 p.m.–2 p.m. in Room

128 of Gonzales. Call 785-6237.

SAC Meeting: Psychology Club 2 p.m.–

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

486-1264.

SAC Meeting: Gay and Lesbian

Association 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. in Room

612 of Moody. Call 486-0902.

SAC Meeting: American Institute of

Architecture Students 4 p.m.–5 p.m. in

Room 251 of Chance. Call 486-1307.

Recital: Pianist Yeol-Eum Son, at 7:30

p.m. in Ruth Taylor Recital Hall at Trinity

University. Call 999-8406.

Thursday

SAC Deadline: Student activity fee

application deadline due in student life

office by 5 p.m. Call 486-0125.

SAC Transfer: St. Mary’s University 8:30

a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the first floor of


SAC Transfer: University of the

Incarnate Word 9 a.m. -1 p.m. on the first

floor of Chance. Call 486-0864.

NVC Event: Thirsty Third Thursday at 11

a.m. in Lounge of Cypress. Call 486-4004.

SAC Event: Financial literacy workshop

by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union

at 2 p.m. in Seguir Adelante. Call 486-

1590.

Sept. 18

SAC Event: Azul Barrientos 11 a.m.–1

p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call

486-0125.

Sept. 20

Deadline: Win $5,000 toward college

expenses by submittting video. Visit

drivesmarterchallenge.org/contest.

Fotoseptiembre: Ansen Seale’s

“The Corn Crib” Site-Specific Photographic

Installation 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Land Heritage

Institute. 413 Neal. Call 224-2518.

Sept. 21

SAC Event: Salsa lessons by Lee Rios

of Semeneya Ballroom 11 a.m- 1 p.m. in

the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 486-0125.

SAC Transfer: Schreiner University

1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the first floor of Chance.

Call 486-0864.


8:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in the transfer center.

Call 486-0864.

SAC Transfer: Our Lady of the Lake

University 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first floor

of Chance. Call 486-0864.

SAC Event: Tennis 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the

tennis courts. Call 486-0125.

Sept. 23

NVC Event: Popcorn Movie Day, “The

Proposal” at 10 a.m, noon and 3 p.m. in

Room 121 of Cypress. Call 486-4004.

Calendar Legend

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

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

Calendar


By Jason B. Hogan

Linda Bowyer-Owens, associate vice chan-

cellor of employee services, unveiled a new

Phased Retirement Program as a new formu-

la for retirement for employees of the Alamo

Community College District during the Audit,

Budget and Finance Committee meeting

Tuesday.

This was one of four committee meetings

Tuesday. Committee recommendations will be

made to the full board Tuesday.

Bowyer-Owens said the program is set up to

slowly reduce staff through attrition — full-time

faculty, staff and administrators — instead of

the traditional means of a cash bonus, which

adds an additional cost to the bottom line.

The district needs an attractive option for

retirement, she said.

Under this newly devised plan, employees

after they retire are offered either one- or three-

year nonrenewable work assignments compa-

rable to 49 percent of their final workload and

base pay rate.

Faculty receive three-year terms, and staff

and administrators one-year terms.

Employees must remain separate from the

district for at least one year, Bowyer-Owens

said.

Terms of eligibility are dependent on two

factors — employee reaches retirement age of

65 or meets the rule of 80.

The rule of 80 applies to those who have

attained a combination of age plus years of

experience totaling 80 years.

The plan affords employees the opportu-

nity to file for retirement and begin to col-

lect Teacher Retirement System or Optional

Retirement Program funds, the two retirement

programs for higher education employees.

Bowyer-Owens said the program is intended

to aid employees in transitioning into retire-

ment.

Once these employees enroll within the pro-

gram and begin the retirement procedure, the

district initializes cost-saving efforts because

the district plans to eliminate their previously

held positions, Bowyer-Owens said.

Some of the outlining concepts of the pro-

gram mirror the efforts of Dallas Community

College District, which established its original

model in 2002.

A total of 355 employees from this district

and the five colleges will qualify for the program

this year.

Bowyer-Owens presented a graph to the

committee that displayed the potential impact

of cost savings over the first four years if 10 fac-

ulty and 10 non-faculty employees retired. After

the first year, her department estimates a 50

percent salary cost reduction yielding a cumu-

lative and total savings of $521,815.

Those who are eligible for retirement and

willing to participate in the coming year can

declare their intention by Oct. 1 but no later

than April 30 and are eligible to retire between

Oct. 1 and Aug. 31.

Faculty Senate Chair Jeff Hunt said at

Tuesday’s meeting that an informal survey

showed faculty saw the proposal as “laughable.”

Diane Snyder, associate vice chancellor for

finance and fiscal services, also outlined a new

investment strategy with the assistance of dis-

trict comptroller Pamela Ansboury and assis-

tant treasurer Tracey Bedwell, which will focus

more on operational funds and provide a more

reasonable and steady rate of return.

Snyder said the district is subject to the

Public Funds Investment Act that stipulates an

institution’s investment committee must gener-

ate a qualified list of investment brokers annu-

ally, which the investment officer is required to

purchase or sell securities for the institution.

The committee approved a recommenda-

tion to the board to adopt the brokers listed on

First Southwest Asset Management’s approved

list, which will extend the district’s list of bro-

kers to 32.

An amendment for authorized signatures

for the Alamo Colleges’ bank accounts and

authorized representatives of TexPool, a local

government investment pool, met the recom-

mendation of the committee as well, where the

TexPool list saw the addition of Bedwell and

bank account authorizations include the chan-

cellor, vice chancellor for finance and admin-

istration, associate vice chancellor for finance

and fiscal affairs and the comptroller.

In the Buildings, Grounds and Site Selection

Committee meeting, trustees recommended

the approval of Northeast Lakeview College’s

roadway naming plan, which will emphasize a

naming process that is consistent with the his-

tory of the area.

Also, the Silverado Brothers Construction

Co. Inc. met the approval of the committee for

the construction of Parking Lot 6 on the NLC

campus at the cost of $220,628, with a contin-

gency of 15 percent.

The relocation of modular buildings from

Palo Alto and Northwest Vista colleges to San

Antonio College was tabled for further debate at

the regular board meeting Tuesday.

Trustee Jim Rindfuss, District 9, said he

could not understand the justification of spend-

ing an estimated $130,000 to relocate the modu-

Committee approves early retirement plan

Building, Grounds and Site Selection Committee and Chancellor Bruce Leslie, second from right, discusss construction

Sept. 8 and vote on recommendations for the board of trustees at Tuesday’s meeting.

Destiny Mata



By Regis L. RoBeRts

Students have been added

to the district’s Accreditation

Committee, which is charged with

studying the possibility of a single

accreditation for the five district

colleges.

“The role they gave us is as

important as the role of the people

the chancellor picked,” Julianne

Cantu, political science sopho-

more and president of this college’s

Student Government Association,

said Tuesday. “They’re not cutting

us any slack.”

Chancellor Bruce Leslie previ-

ously dismissed the idea of includ-

ing students in the committee,

which will report its findings to the

Alamo Community College District

board by Dec. 1.

Cantu said she thinks the

address she made during the

citizens-to-be-heard portion of

the Aug. 18 board meeting likely

changed Leslie’s mind in allowing

students to participate in the com-

mittee set up to weigh the pros

and cons of making the colleges a

single accredited institution.

Leslie, however, told The

Ranger Wednesday that the letter

this college’s student government

presented him, an editorial in the

San Antonio Express-News and

recommendations by committee

members ultimately swayed him

to allow the committee to decide

on including student members.

He added that plans were

under way to include students in

the committee by the time Cantu

addressed the board.

He said he was still concerned

about the idea, adding that the

committee becoming too large

worries him.

Jeff Hunt, theater and speech

communication chair and co-chair

of the committee, said the commit-

tee voted unanimously to include

students.

Hunt said he initially wanted a

student from this college and Palo

Alto College because both schools

have student governments, but

committee members were insis-

tent on having students from all

five colleges.

Leslie said he notified the col-

leges to choose student represen-

tatives, but only this college and St.

Philip’s College have sent students.

He said the other colleges are

still welcome to send students to

join the committee, but added that

they have to react quickly because

the students need to go through

orientation.

“There’s got to be a point of no

return,” Leslie said.

After an initial orientation, a

briefing on the committee’s charge

and general catch-up for the new

student members, Cantu said they

were thrown into action in their

first meeting Sept. 4.

Cantu and the student from St.

Philip’s College were allowed to

choose the subcommittee to par-

ticipate in.

Subcommittees included one

on exploring what the accredita-

tion process entails, one on the

costs associated with pursuing

a single accreditation and one,

which Cantu chose, exploring how

grants might possibly be affected.

The five district colleges qualify

for grants for various reasons, she

said. For example, this college has

received grants because it serves a

large Hispanic student body, and

St. Philip’s College receives grants

as a historically black college.

Cantu said the grant subcom-

mittee has not determined what

would happen to grants the indi-

vidual colleges have received.

Hunt said the U.S. Department

of Education and the Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools

have given a strong impression

that St. Philip’s College’s black

student body would be diluted by

the inclusion of the other colleges’

populations. He also said this col-

lege likely would not receive an

individual grant as a Hispanic-

serving college if the five colleges

became one college.

Hunt said the committee has

yet to get anything in writing con-

firming this.

While the meetings are closed

to the public and members are not

allowed to divulge details of com-

mittee findings at this time, Cantu

said all the questions her sub-

committee has explored so far are

made difficult to answer because

of complications communicating

with the appropriate agencies.

For example, Hunt said the

Department of Education wants to

know what the leadership would be

of a single institution, something

the committee cannot answer.

“It’s still kind of vague,” Cantu

said.

As a student on the committee,

she said there is a built-in bond

and understanding with faculty

committee members. “When fac-

ulty are upset about something,

students are upset,” she said.

She pointed to Hunt specifically

as a strong advocate for students.

Administration, she said, often

has a hard time relating to on-the-

ground issues that students and

faculty see.

And while she came into the

single accreditation debate oppos-

ing such a plan, Cantu said she

likes to think she can set aside

any biases and instead look at the

facts and make judgments based

on what she and the other commit-

tee members find.

Hunt made a similar point, say-

ing, “It’s our job to be objective and

come in with an open mind.”

However, Cantu said she has

not seen anything yet that has

affected her opposition to single

accreditation.

Hunt said the next meeting of

the full committee is set for Oct. 1.

Students join Accreditation Committee

lar buildings from PAC and NVC to SAC when to

construct a building costs $150,000.

Dr. Robert Zeigler, SAC president, said the

need for new modular buildings were based

on enrollment projections. Enrollment is up

2,000 students this semester, and he anticipates

another 500- to 600-student climb in Flex 2.

Zeigler said most of the growth originates

with the Gateway program, and the campus is

on the verge of outgrowing the rented Travis

Elementary building. Rindfuss said that he

couldn’t accept that there is not enough floor

space to support an additional 2,000 students.

But a bid for McAllister Fine Arts Center’s

roof replacement was approved and assigned to

Advantage USAA Inc., for $89,900.

The Academic Accountability and Student

Success Committee had one agenda item up

for approval, the adoption of the American

Graduation Initiative Resolution, endorsed by

President Barack Obama.

The Policy and Long-Range Planning

Committee approved C.1.7 and D.2.4 for rec-

ommendation of board approval with the only

alteration coming to Policy D.2.4. It stipulates

no district employee, immediate family mem-

ber or person living in the same household can

own 10 percent or more of a business or $15,000

or more of fair market value of a business that

serves as a vendor to the district.

Trustees: retirement plan Continued from


By Jason B. Hogan

Students will bear the brunt

of a $24 million increase in gen-

eral operating budget revenues

for fiscal year 2010 of the Alamo

Community College District.

The actual revenue for FY

2008-09 was $244.5 million; the

requested FY 2009-10 revenues

are $268.5 million.

The operating budget will

increase $18.9 million between

approved fiscal year 2009 and

requested fiscal year 2010:

Students are responsible through

tuition, pledged tuition and fees,

for drumming up $11.7 million, or

61.7 percent, of that total.

The colleges of the district

rely on three principal revenue

streams, tuition and fees, state

appropriations and tax assessed

on Bexar County property owners.

State appropriations of $4.3

million and Bexar County prop-

erty tax revenue of $5.2 million

combined for $9.5 million of the

increase, but that is barely 50.1

percent.

The total of the three streams

is affected by several additional

revenue items, including tuition

exemptions, endowment income

and investment interest income,

listed on the operating budgets as

negative income.

The disparity in growth

between student tuition and fees

versus state funding and property

taxes, nationally, has increased

considerably since 1980 in com-

munity college service areas.

Increases in student tuition

and fees are reflective of grow-

ing enrollment and tuition rate

increases.

From fall 2006 to fall 2008,

enrollment in the district’s col-

leges has increased by 5.69 per-

cent — 49,488 to 52,306 — and

this semester enrollment was

expected to surpass 55,000 stu-

dents, district officials reported to

the board of trustees in a regular

meeting Aug. 18, the week before

classes started for the fall semes-

ter.

In comparison, a study pro-

duced by the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board

showed other Texas community

colleges grew 3.5 percent in the

Houston Community College

System, and range upward to 17.9

percent in Tarrant County.

According to an annual finan-

cial report for fiscal year 2008,

the district ranks the highest in

the state for percent of revenue

from tuition, 35.67 percent, versus

other community college districts

in the state and receives 27.58

percent of revenue from state

appropriations.

Taxes account for 32.23 per-

cent with 4.52 percent attributed

to other.

Only 10 percent of total rev-

enue was spent on student ser-

vices in this district, but 47 per-

cent was used for instruction. An

additional 9 percent was for aca-

demic services. The balance went

to institution support, operation

and maintenance, and other.

Meanwhile, increases as a per-

cent of tuition have been rela-

tively low compared to four-year

universities. Trustees increased

tuition and fees by 4.83 percent

for a standard 12-credit hour, full-

time student this semester, bring-

ing the total to $781 for tuition,

pledged tuition and student activ-

ity fee.

The University of Texas at San

Antonio increased 5.98 percent to

$3,209; Texas State University-San

Marcos increased 6.79 percent to

Students foot bill for budget increase



$3,084. Area private universities

planned smaller increases but net-

ted tuition in the $10,000 zone.

Texas A&M University-San

Antonio, now on its own campus,

experienced the highest increase at

16.93 percent for full-time tuition

of $2,658.

A study, completed by the

Graduate School of Education

& Information Studies at the

University of California at

Los Angeles and published in

December 2003, produced results

from national case studies of

tuition increases and access to

higher education.

Researchers stated that stu-

dents —primarily students with

very little income— were less likely

to attend college because of tuition

increases.

One researcher studied the rela-

tionship between tuition increases

and enrollment rates. The analysis

showed that every $100 increase in

tuition results in a 0.5 percent to

1 percent decrease in enrollment.

The study predicted the nation-

al decrease in state funding would

be likely to cause a tuition increase

of 11.5 percent by the 2003-04 aca-

demic year.

For 2003-04, the fall tuition here

was $505; it rose to $529 in spring

2004. By spring 2005, tuition had

risen to $585.

Many students around campus

were livid about tuition and fees

increases, but one student, educa-

tion freshman Chelsea Woodcock,

said it still remains affordable.

“In a way, it’s not cheap, but it’s

better than where my friends go

to school,” she said. “I didn’t want

to go here, but when I got my bill,

I freaked out because my friends

spent thousands of dollars just to

go to UTSA.

“It’s not just tuition; it’s the

parking passes, as well. It costs

$80 for UTSA and I paid $21 here

at SAC.”

But education freshman

Anthony Kittchner said soon the

district will be known as the Alamo

“Taco Bell” Colleges, funded by

Pizza Hut.

“They are going to be whoring

us out to businesses just to keep

the costs away from four-year uni-

versities,” he said. “How long until

it costs to go here just as much as it

costs to go to A&M?”

Kittchner was awarded $1,300

of financial aid for the fall and

spring semesters.

He could only afford to take

three classes this semester

because they amounted to $560

not including books. He had to

purchase the fourth edition of

his college algebra book for $170

because the instructor told him

the third edition was obsolete.

In addition, the fourth edition

will be outdated by this com-

ing spring, so Kittchner and oth-

ers may not be able to sell their

books back once the semester

ends or they may get a much

smaller offer.

Trustee Charles Conner, District

7, said he understands the pain of

students who find themselves in

financial constraints, but unfor-

tunately, the district receives its

revenue from only three sources;

state funding, tuition and Bexar

County taxes.

“We’ll never catch up,” Conner

said. “The gap widens every day.

They’ve (four-year institutions)

gone up so much the last several

years, the state has stepped in on

them.

“When you think about it, we

cover the same course load for 20

to 25 percent less than they do.”

Some students said they

understand that district colleges

are funded in large part by state

appropriations, but they thought

the district and board of trustees

would be more empathetic, espe-

cially with the recession still at

hand.

Biology freshman Caroline

Williams said she feels for people

who lose employment in today’s

economy.

It sets them in a state of poverty,

forever, she said, because they can-

not continue to pay for school.

It especially hurts single par-

ents, she said, who can barely

afford to pay for school, and yet

students have to pay high rates for

child care which only makes them

struggle more.

Education freshman Robert

“Biscuit” Hall said tuition costs

were raised but the admission

numbers decreased.

As the board of trustees con-

tinue to increase space at all the

district colleges, Hall said he won-

ders how that applies to most of

the students who attend any of the

colleges.

Raising new buildings on cam-

pus like the nursing and allied

health complex accommodate

only those students they were

meant for, Hall said.

To others, they are hindrances

that create parking issues.

“If you’re charging so much that

student numbers go down, why

increase capacity?” he asked.

Conner attributed the need for

more space to increased enroll-

ment over the last 20 years.

He said the board’s objective is

to keep class sizes smaller than 25

students. Enrollment has almost

doubled over those 20 years, so

expansion is a necessity.

He said students have a mis-

conception that their tuition and

fees go toward construction proj-

ects, but all the revenue for the

capital improvement projects was

collected from taxpayers.

“Students don’t pay any of that,

unless they own property,” Conner

said. “All the buildings were built

by bonds based on revenue from

taxes of real estate property.”

Budget: Students pay up Continued from

Students wait in line Aug. 25 outside the financial aid office located on the first floor of Fletcher.

Destiny Mata

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 24Editorial

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.

Melissa Ann Rodriquez

Editor

Jason B. Hogan

Managing Editor

Vanessa M. Sanchez

Calendar Editor

Henry A. Chavarria

Photo Editor


Photographers

Leda Garcia

Destiny Mata

Production Manager

Laura Garcia

Newsroom Assistant

Zahra Farah

Illustrators

Juan Carlos Campos

Melissa Ann Rodriquez

Staff Writers

Mario Anguiano, Catherine L. Boully, Tyler L.

Cleveland, Emilio Davila, Sharon Hensley, Steven L.

Moya, Trey Randolph, Christina Rangel, Erika Torres

Web Administrator/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 reproduced with-

out permission.

The RangeR

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 25Opinion

In the midst of budget cuts in every department and the rise of tuition for students, the district is imploring col-leges to achieve a 50-50 ratio of full-time to part-time teachers.

The ratio of full-time to part-time faculty has dropped from 70-30 per-cent to a 60-40 percent ratio at this college, but even that’s not acceptable to district administrators.

As seen in the foreign language department at this college, it is dif-ficult to find qualified adjunct fac-ulty to teach various languages at the times the courses need to be offered to fit in students’ schedules.

The reduction in full-time tem-porary faculty also has affected this department and others on campus.

This rush to lower the number of full-time faculty is nothing but the district’s launch pad for a spaceship leading nowhere.

The district is proposing an early

retirement package, which the board will consider Tuesday, to encourage full-time employees to retire.

The real cost-savings for the district will be in the clearly stated intention to not replace them. Instead, adjunct faculty will assume those teaching responsibilities or classes will be canceled.

How much are we really paying to add more part-time faculty, and how much are we losing when we put an instructor in front of stu-dents who isn’t required to put in the time as full-time faculty to be available for students outside of class?

Additionally, adjuncts don’t have time to sponsor student groups or serve on committees that contribute to the college experience for all of us.

The district may save, but in the long run, the students will pay.

Structure is a term tossed about randomly from the hilltops high above the Alamo Community College District headquarters at the

Killen Center and down to the valleys and crevasses of our esteemed college administrators across the five district colleges, and yet, no one is willing to accept blame for pure lack of organization when it comes to the headache that is parking.

The word “structure” in the district operating system does not have the same defensible mean-ing that common folk have become accustomed to; it should be taboo.

Promises were made by college administration that handicap park-ing spots would not be tampered with in the midst of construction. But just last week, Lot 21 lost three handicap spots out of 16.

For all the planning, time and money invested, a better answer than “everyone needs to be patient” probably would fit the situation to a more suitable degree.

And then, David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said his office never notified the college community, which includes faculty, staff and the student body, since Lot 21 is a communal lot.

One of the bigger slaps in the face, besides the removal of the handi-cap spots, was the surrendering of facilities scheduling assistant Tara Daugherty’s parking spot she won as District Employee of the Month. Her spot was fenced in along with 36 other spaces.

Mrizek said it was the respon-sibility of Staff Council to assign Daugherty another permanent space, but that’s just passing the buck.

The district implores its members to take some initiative, but maybe it’s just lost its meaning — another word neutered by bureaucrats.

Accreditation is starting to sound like a dirty word to some, redundant to others and just a frivolous discus-sion topic for the rest.

Regardless, the matter of single versus multiaccreditation will not be decided any time soon — maybe not even in your lifetime.

But, it is that elephant in the room that you just can’t ignore because of its sheer mammoth size and girth.

The board of trustees and district officials have been flirting with the idea of single accreditation since last year, but it is meeting adversity head-on from faculty and staff. Students have gained a foothold in the discus-sion with the assignment of a student from each of the five district colleges to the Accreditation Committee.

This college’s Student Government Association endorsed its own resolu-tion to Chancellor Bruce Leslie stat-ing that he must realize the neces-sity of a student representative on a committee that would define the

future of their education. The presi-dent, Julianne Cantu, made an impas-sioned plea for student representa-tion at the Aug. 18 board meeting.

Faculty members also embraced the idea of students on the commit-tee, primarily because students have the freedom to express their views without fear of reprisal.

Cantu quoted the chancellor’s explanation of why students didn’t belong on the committee: they were “incapable of thoughtful and deliber-ate analysis.”

He may as well have called stu-dents a bunch of brainless monkeys who could not define the color yellow or differentiate between the shape of a banana and an apple.

That line of thinking is misguided and degrading to the district’s more than 52,000 students.

We’re pleased he changed his mind and added students to this important discussion.

Let’s hope he keeps listening.

Parking shows lack of initiative

District will get what it pays for

Students on committees is wise move

Editorial: Auxiliary funds

should stay on campus


By Trey randolph

The future of San Antonio’s ever-grow-

ing power needs was addressed Aug. 26 in

McAllister Fine Arts Center during KSTX’s Town

Hall forum on energy.

While the topic of the forum was all things

energy, most of the evening’s questions cen-

tered on CPS’ proposed $10 billion-$13 billion

expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear

power plant in Bay City, which intends to add

two additional nuclear reactors, as well as con-

versation on use of alternative and renewable

energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Construction for the new reactors, dubbed

STP 3 & 4, is slated to begin in 2012.

CPS’ use of renewable resources, includ-

ing solar, wind and natural gas, equals over

11 percent of the city’s peak energy demand,

according to the company’s Web site. The Web

site also lists a goal to increase that percentage

to 20 percent by 2020.

The company ranks first in wind power

usage among community-owned utility com-

panies in the U.S.

When the forum began at 7 p.m. about 100

citizens were in attendance, and many quickly

lined up to address questions to the panel.

Partially due to the late start and extensive

answers by panel members, only six questions

were heard from audience members, as well as

one question submitted via e-mail.

Panel members for the forum were Julian

Castro, mayor of San Antonio; Lanny Sinkin,

executive director for Solar San Antonio; Tom

“Smitty” Smith, director of Public Citizen’s Texas

office; and Michael Kotara, executive vice presi-

dent for energy development for CPS Energy.

Castro was the least vocal of the panel

members, only addressing a few questions and

leaving his answers purposefully open-ended

because the City Council has not yet decided

whether to fund the project or look at other

energy options.

“As far as I see the conversation,” Castro

said, “it’s a conversation not about whether we

need to invest, but when we need to invest and

what the smartest investment is that we can

make.”

“We have a growing community here in San

Antonio with growing energy needs,” Castro

continued, “so we need to make an investment

– that investment has to be the smartest one

possible.”

Kotara often referred to CPS’ 50-year plan,

which is focused on providing long-term energy

security that is reliable and affordable.

He said CPS’ plan of reducing dependence

on fossil fuel resources and the resulting air

emissions, continuing to grow sustainable ener-

gy resources and promoting energy efficiency

and conservation is best met through a combi-

nation of power sources, including nuclear.

“Our position is that there is no silver bul-

let,” Kotara said of a solution to the city’s energy

needs. “It’s not a matter of either or, one or

the other, our plan includes all of those. It’s a

matter of ‘what balance should we have going

forward?’”

Smith and Sinkin agreed CPS has done posi-

tive things for renewable energy in the past and

should focus on continuing to increase the per-

centage of renewable energy instead of relying

more on centralized nuclear power.

“We view the situation facing the city of San

Antonio as a huge opportunity where the peo-

ple of San Antonio should have all of the infor-

mation about all of the options,” Sinkin said. “If

you look at the real potential of solar, we have

a real opportunity to meet our energy needs

without large central generators. That potential

is where we should focus our attention.”

According to CPS, average annual household

energy use is 14,000 kWh.

Smith suggested CPS research costs to

expand renewable resources to the point of

generating the power they would obtain from

the proposed nuclear expansion.

One additional nuclear facility, according to

CPS’ Generation Technology Comparison, has a

typical project size of 2,700 MW, while wind is

50-150 MW and solar 25-100 MW.

The CPS Web site lists the nuclear expansion

capable of generating 1,350 MW each, or 2,700

total.

“Why aren’t we going out and asking ‘how

much would 1,000 megawatts of solar with

thermal backup and natural gas hybrid systems

cost?’” Smith said. “Those are where the num-

bers are, where this stuff is cheap, not in little

tiny increments like CPS is buying.”

The increased use of nuclear will not dimin-

ish CPS’ “firm commitment” to using more

renewable resources in the future, Kotara said.

He added solar and wind technologies are

still improving and evolving, and thus don’t

have the proven longevity of nuclear.

Kotara said transmission of wind energy is

not adequate due to a lack of enough transmis-

sion lines from the Desert Sky wind farm in

Iraan. He added the state will invest $5 billion

in a transmission system to “make it more

robust” and eliminate bottlenecks to receiving

wind power.

Smith brought up a concern that additional

nuclear reactors would cram transmission lines

from the coast, creating more bottlenecks to

delivering power.

Castro said the city council is “mindful of

achieving the right balance and being able to

invest as opportunity arises in these renewable

technologies,” but thinks that sole investment

in solar may not be a viable option compared to

efficient use of alternatives.

“Right now it is not as affordable as these

other options. Affordability is an important fac-

tor because we live in a community of relatively

modest means still,” Castro said.

“This is not the Bay Area of California, or

even Austin. If it were up to me we would invest,

if we could, solely in solar energy or one of

these renewables. Right now, I don’t think that

is realistic.”

Costs and potential delays are another cause

of concern in nuclear, Smith said. The energy

source was once touted as too cheap to meter.

CPS estimates the expansion cost at $10 bil-

lion, or $13 billion including financing, a cost

that Public Texas believes is vastly underesti-

mated and is more likely to reach $22 billion.

CPS owns 40 percent of STP 1 & 2, partner

NRG Energy of New Jersey owns 44 percent, and

Austin Energy owns 16 percent.

CPS and NRG are currently looking for a

third partner to own 20 percent of STP 3 & 4.

“If you look at the real potential of solar, we have a real opportunity to meet our energy needs without large central generators.”

Lanny Sinkinexecutive directorSolar San Antonio

Town hall renews nuclear questions


Concerns center on water usage, cost and spent fuel disposal.


Nuclear: CPS explains expansion Continued from

Smith estimates $40 - $68 a month addi-

tional cost per residential customer if CPS and

NRG can find a suitable investor, according to

their $13 billion estimate.

Smith says his organization’s $22 billion esti-

mate could put the additional cost as high as

$68-$101 per month per household.

While Kotara estimated the time to build at

48 months, Smith said the national average last

time “we went on a plant building spree” was

about 100 months.

The Generation Technology Comparison

chart provided by CPS, dated Aug. 13 lists the

length of nuclear construction as nine years.

Smith pointed to over a dozen independent

studies suggesting the cost will be from 1.5

to 2.1 times higher than projected, and also

pointed out that construction of the original

project, STP 1 & 2, ran eight years late and six

times over budget.

Kotara said CPS stands by their cost and time

estimates because the company contracted to

build the new reactors, Toshiba, has experience

building these types of facilities on time and on

budget, will leave many costs fixed and will be

working from plant designs already approved by

the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

CPS’ Web site also states that customers’

bills were already expected to rise in the coming

years, and the cost for nuclear expansion is the

best long-term solution.

Samuel Taylor, a spokesman at CPS, said via

e-mail, “even without the addition or expan-

sion of a power plant, CPS Energy will need a 3

percent increase in customer bills in 2010, and

an additional bill increase will be needed in the

next several years.

“The bill increases will be necessary to pay

for upgrades for facilities to strengthen system

reliability, environmental controls and smart

meters, among other projects,” Taylor contin-

ued.

“If City Council approves the nuclear expan-

sion, the average residential monthly bill is

expected to increase by 4.8 percent or 47 cents

per monthly bill in 2010.”

A bill impact chart provided by CPS shows a

3.1 percent increase on the average residential

monthly bill without nuclear expansion, and 4.8

percent with expansion, a difference of roughly

47 cents, but shows better costs in the long term

with nuclear use.

The chart estimates an increase in that dif-

ference until 2016, with the monthly difference

for that year being $6.54. The chart shows the

difference shrinking from there and skips to

2025, when the difference is almost $11 less

with nuclear.

Smith also pointed to potential downfalls,

such as the lack of adequate nuclear waste

disposal, safety risks (meltdown could cause

18,000 early deaths), fluctuating uranium-cost

increases and NRG’s past money problems

including a poor credit rating and almost filing

bankruptcy.

“The risk will be borne by the citizens of

San Antonio, who are the captive rate-payers,”

Smith added.

The forum was moderated by KSTX reporter

Terry Gildea, and was streamed live on the Texas

Public Radio Web site.

The KSTX Town Hall is a series of forums

designed to engage the community on a wide

range of issues impacting San Antonio, accord-

ing to the KSTX Web site.

The inaugural Town Hall meeting addressed

air quality on June 25 at the Buena Vista Theater

on the UTSA Downtown Campus.

The next KSTX Town Hall will address trans-

portation, with date and panel members to be

announced.

“I don’t think it was for college

kids; it made me feel like he was

trying to do the job,” said Maurice

Savage, kinesiology freshmen.

When Obama brought up his

difficulties and how he understood

what it was like to not always do well

in school, students interviewed said

they could connect with him.

Nursing freshman Bernice Diaz

said, “When he was talking about his

life, I felt like if he could make it, I

could make it.”

Joy Curtis, business management

freshman, said the speech hit home

because it was broadcast from her

hometown in Virginia. “The speech

hit me emotionally since it was my

hometown, and my daughter is

starting high school this fall.”

Obama spoke at her daughter’s

rival school, but the message to

make schools better showed Curtis

that he cared. “Who else can say

how important education is than

our president.”

When Curtis was young, she was

expected only to finish high school,

but now she feels the expectations

have grown higher, she said.

“Let’s step it up and get our bach-

elor’s or even master’s; step it up

and make something of yourself,”

she said.

What mattered to her was not

being judged by your failures, but

rather by your accomplishments,

something she wants to teach her

daughter.

Jackie Foster, criminal justice

freshman, said she appreciated the

part of the speech in which Obama

said that although he failed at times,

there was always a way to get out.

“Whether he was speaking to

high school students or not, every-

one needs to know to keep on push-

ing for what they want,” Foster said.

Obama Continued from Page 7

By Regis L. RoBeRts

A summer push for volun-

teerism combined with a presi-

dent popular among young

people is making this year’s

President’s Volunteer Service

Award a big deal.

Audrey Grams, service

learning coordinator, said

many students want their

award — a program started by

President George W. Bush to

recognize volunteerism in stu-

dents — signed by President

Barack Obama.

The awards will be present-

ed at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 in Room

120 of the visual arts center.

This is the first year Obama

will give the awards, and Grams

said students who could have

received their awards in April

wanted to wait to receive their

award with Obama’s signature.

Obama changed the time

of year when awards would

be issued to coincide with the

Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary,

which Obama has designated

a national day of service, but

Grams said she did not want

the ceremony, which will fea-

ture state Rep. Mike Villarreal,

to become lost among other

commemorations of Sept. 11.

The push for increased vol-

unteerism on Sept. 11 would

culminate a national push this

summer by Obama and his

wife, Michelle.

The Web site www.service.

gov provides information on

volunteering in remembrance

of Sept. 11.

Service Learning has a

Facebook page at http://www.

facebook.com/sacservice.

Service awards Sept. 17


By Sharon henSley

St. Philip’s College has grown about 5 percent

with 10,710 students enrolled this semester.

The new Welcome Center, which opened in

late July, is one of three new buildings on the

campus.

The Center for Health Professions and the

Center for Learning Resources are connected

to the Welcome Center to form a multipurpose

academic complex.

The $49 million buildings were funded as

part of a $450 million bond package voters

approved in November 2005.

The center houses student services such as

counseling and financial aid. These services

were located in different departments prior to

the center’s opening.

As of Monday, 9,800 students had registered

for services in the new center using the Who’s

Next paging system.

When students enter

the center, they must

check in at the front desk

by entering their Social

Security number and get-

ting a pager.

The students are

paged when it is their turn

to be processed based on

individual needs.

Processing in the first

two weeks of classes has often involved being

placed in line for the appropriate service.

Some students have complained about wait-

ing in one line to check in and then having to

wait in another line for services at the center.

Nursing freshman Elizabeth Cedillo said, “I

thought that was pretty dumb.”

Cedillo said she came to the center to reg-

ister for classes before the first week of school.

She said she waited in line about 30 minutes

to check in, and then it was about 15 minutes

before she was able to use a computer.

Cedillo said she experienced a much longer

wait time when she returned to the center for a

financial aid issue the first week of classes.

Radiography technology freshman Oscar

Holguin said he waited in line for one hour to

register through the system, then decided to

leave in the first week of school.

After leaving the center on Sept. 4, Holguin

said the wait time was not

as long.

A radiography tech-

nology freshman who did

not want to be identified

said the longest wait times

in the first two weeks of

school were probably for

financial aid.

“You can’t just go to

financial aid,” he said.

The student said the

center should have an

area where forms could be picked up without

registering for services.

“I needed a Stafford Loan application,” he

said. “I waited two hours for that thing.”

The student said he

cannot apply for the loan

online and will have to get

back in line to turn in the

paperwork.

In early August, Dr.

Burton Crow, dean of

enrollment management,

invited officers and mem-

bers of the St. Philip’s

chapter of Phi Theta

Kappa Honor Society to

try out the new system and discuss their obser-

vations with the administration.

Elizabeth McCathron, business administra-

tion sophomore and Phi Theta Kappa member,

said, “We voiced our opinions and concerns.”

McCathron said the administrators present,

including Crow, explained the reasoning behind

the new system and vowed to do what they

could to make the process easy for students.

McCathron said she experienced long wait

times at the center in the first two weeks of

school.

“The way they have it set up is not efficient,”

she said. “It takes too long to get nothing done.”

McCathron said the business office should

have a window dedicated to transactions other

than tuition payments.

“I am realistic,” she said. “I know it will take

time.”

“It’s a new building, and they have some

kinks to work out,”

McCathron said.

Matari Jones-Gunter,

director of community

and public relations, said,

“Primarily those long

lines were because of

financial aid.”

“Keep in mind a large

percentage of our stu-

dents are on financial

aid,” she said.

Jones said more stu-

dents are using financial aid because of the

economy, and about 30 percent are selected to

go through the verification process, which can

contribute to long wait times at the start of a

semester.

‘Unwelcome’ center Enrollment growth leads to long lines at new facility

Consolidation of services ties up center first week of classes.

“Primarily those long lines were because of financial aid. Keep in mind a large percentage of our students are on financial aid.”

Matari Jones-Gunterdirector of community

and public relations, St. Philip’s

“The way they have it set up is not efficient. It takes too long to get nothing done.”

Elizabeth McCathronbusiness administration sophomore

and Phi Theta Kappa member

For more information at St. Philip’s College

Admissions 486-2830

Records and Registration 486-2700

Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Business Office486-2200

Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Student Financial Services 486-2600

Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Ranger Sept. 11, 2009 • 29Pulse

By Tyler l. Cleveland

The college health center offers remedies for ailing students’ head-

aches, tiring illnesses and nasty falls, among other problems, as at least

one student learned firsthand recently.

Basic first-aid and emergency care, nonprescription medications for

headaches and minor ailments, cholesterol and blood pressure monitor-

ing, health counseling, and relaxation rooms where students can rest for

up to one hour are among the free services available. The student health

center is in Room 119 of Chance Academic Center.

A physician-referral system also is available, giving students the

advantage of choosing a physician in Bexar County for a minimum price

according to their level of income.

Enrolled students are automatically eligible for 24/7 injury insurance

up to $25,000. Sickness insurance with identical injury coverage for stu-

dents can be purchased for $142 per semester and an additional $253 per

semester for a dependent, according to the Academic HealthPlans Web

site, www.ahpcare.com/alamo.

For elementary education sophomore Thomas Padgett, injury insur-

ance and care provided by the center came unexpectedly.

While rushing to get to class Aug. 27, Padgett jumped over the rock

embankment near the smokers’ area on West Dewey and Belknap places

and tripped on the landing, fracturing facial bones and his left collarbone.

A gash on his left eye needed five stitches, he said.

After being taken to the center by another student, Padgett requested

the center call EMS, which can sometimes refuse service if injuries aren’t

severe enough, said Paula Daggett, college health center coordinator.

Padgett returned to the center that afternoon to fill out paperwork for

his student insurance to cover the charges for his EMS bill.

“I owe my deepest gratitude to the ladies at the (center),” he said in an

e-mail. “They were sympathetic and hospitable the whole time.”

“The health center doesn’t have to be called first,” said Daggett, adding

students should trust their instincts during an emergency situation, “but

if it can, it can more often than not save an EMS bill.”

The center is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information and health-related resource links, visit the cen-

ter’s Web site at http://www.alamo.edu/sac/health.

Health center provides free, low-cost services

Sociology Professor Sophia Ortiz takes an ibuprofen from LVN Josie Noriega Sept. 9 at

the health center in Chance. The health center hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through

Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m Saturday.

By Mario anguiano

Wondering if you may have herpes? Thinking

a cold brew before class isn’t a good idea after

all? Is your significant other abusive?

Students seeking guidance may visit Room

120 of Chance Academic Center. There, they can

find at least one other student who personally

has experienced addictions, relationship abuse

or depression. These are Peer Educators — stu-

dents helping students.

Visitors can vent all they want, and the unli-

censed but trained counselors will be there with

open ears and plenty of advice.

Students have the comfort of knowing

the room is private and audio-recording free.

Anything and everything a troubled student

says is heard only by the counselor and care is

taken to make visitors comfortable by finding

a same-sex Peer Educator if they want one. If a

female student shows up wanting to talk about

her fear of breast cancer, for example, a male

Peer Educator present will find a female coun-

selor as a substitute.

“I remember one time last year, a group of

girls came in,” said Peer Educator Elijah Breault.

“They asked if I could leave for just a second.”

“Whatever is said stays in the room,” Breault

said.

All Peer Educators have been instructed on

how to speak to students, and some have even

lived the life of an addict.

“My addiction has taken me to the scum

of the earth,“ said counseling major and Peer

Educator Yolanda King. She has been with the

program since spring 2008 and has spoken with

and given advice to other students now strug-

gling with various addictions.

King admits that although the Peer

Educators’ main focus surrounds HIV/AIDS

awareness, they also have received training

for advising on domestic violence, depression/

anxiety and overall health issues for students.

Belinda Garcia says that once a student

receives help, they must change their lifestyle

completely, and that nothing will be given to

them; they must work for change. Garcia, a new

hire to the Peer Educator program, insists there

is no problem too big to talk about. “I’m excited

about it,“ Garcia said. “I reach out to people

who just need someone to talk to.”

King, who is on her way to becoming a

licensed chemical dependency counselor, said

she has a totally different life now compared to

her former period of alcohol addiction because

she made the decision to help herself.

“I have to continue to change,” she said.

Peer Educators offer advice, a friendly hearing




Three handicap parking spaces in Lot 21 have been fenced

off despite a statement Sept. 4 by David Mrizek, vice president

for college services, that during construction no handicap

spaces would be inaccessible.

One, however, has already been moved. Lot 21 had 16

handicap spaces before an area on the north side of the lot was

blocked to allow access for construction crews.

Thirty-seven spaces in the lot, located at the corner of West

Park Avenue and Maverick Street east of the tennis courts, have

been fenced.

The area is acting as a staging site for the renovation of the

chemistry and geology building, which is expected to be com-

plete by next summer. The lot is open to students, faculty and

staff.

When questioned about fencing handicap parking spaces

this morning, Mrizek said, “That is incorrect.”

He said no handicap spaces had been fenced off.

When informed that handicap spots were inaccessible

because of a construction fence, he said officials did not plan

well enough. However, he said moving those handicap spaces

earlier in the week would have meant fewer regular spaces were

available.

One regular parking space has been designated as handicap,

but no other spaces will change, Mrizek said.

Mrizek was present “a couple of weeks ago” when contrac-

tors and college represenatitves agreed on the number of park-

ing spaces needed for the staging site. He said about 36 spaces

were enclosed between the fencing.

“We’re doing the best we can, and everyone needs to be

patient,” he said.

After working at this college for 39 years, Mrizek said park-

ing is always a problem everywhere especially during the first

week when campus lots are filled with enrolled students coming

to class, those trying to register, those trying to pay and many

more waiting to speak with counselors and financial aid.

“Things will settle and get better,” he said.

He said his office did not notify the college community of

the loss of spaces.

Lot 21 was also the parking home for facilities scheduling

assistant Tara Daugherty, Employee of the Month for August for

the entire district, but she was unavailable for comment. Her

space now rests behind a chainlink fence.

Mrizek said he thought the designated parking space for

Employee of the Month had been relocated, but it had not by

Sept. 5.

Maria Gomez, disabilities support services chair, did not

return calls for comment.

Construction fences close some handicap parking

CIP work blocks Employee of the Month designated parking spot.

By Tyler l. cleVeland

Every semester, disabled student

services assistant Delia A. De Luna has

a goal of hiring 100 note-takers, a goal

she and the disability support services

has never reached.

“If I had 100, I’d be the happi-

est person in the world,” she said,

asserting that with

more than 100

students in need

of assistance,

there are twice

as many or more

classes which DSS

struggles to fill,

particularly dur-

ing evening hours

from 7 p.m.-10

p.m. Most subject areas are in need of

note-takers.

Students can work up to 19 hours

a week for an hourly rate of $7.25.

Volunteers may apply the work to com-

munity service or service learning hours.

Applicants should be enrolled in

the same course as the assisted stu-

dent or knowledgeable of course con-

tent, have a dependable work ethic,

and write legible and concise notes

from classroom instruction.

“I have a lot of respect for who

comes in through DSS and takes the

time to learn and go to school,” said

mathematics sophomore and third-

semester note-taker Matt Schurmann.

“It is only fair that these students are

going to get the same opportunity that

everyone else has.”

Schurmann is

taking notes for

psychology fresh-

man Axel Cox, a

blind student who

benefits from the

notes translated

into Braille. “I

think I could do

it,” Cox said about

taking his own

notes, “but I think a lot of myself.”

“It’s amazing what these students

can do,” De Luna said. “All they need

is a little assistance.”

To apply, log onto http://accdpeo-

plelink.accd.edu, fill out an applica-

tion, search job openings and select

“note-taker.” For more information,

call De Luna at 486-0022 or visit dis-

ability support services in Room 124

of Chance Academic Center.

DSS aims for goal of 100 note-takers


Psychology freshman Axel Cox, blind since age 3, listens to Dr. Joe Sullivan’s psychology lecture

Sept. 4 in Moody while mathematics sophomore Matt Schurmann takes notes for Cox.

“It’s amazing what these students can

do. All they need is a little assistance.”

Delia A. DeLunadisabled student services

assistant


By Erika TorrEs

Although the Catholic Student Center has

been closed since early June, the Phi Theta

Kappa Food Pantry housed there remains open

two days a week, and limited religious services

resumed Sept. 4.

After the Catholic Student Center closed its

doors for the summer, Joseph Liedecke, who

had been the center’s director for seven years,

moved to UTSA’s main campus on Loop 1604 to

become the campus minister.

Liedecke said the director’s position at this

college is open and will be filled.

The program coordinator of the digi-

tal design program, Richard Arredondo, said

Liedecke is working to keep the center open

at this college. “Hopefully, it will get back on

track,” Arredondo said. ”It has been a very lively

organization.”

Liedecke, while continuing to work at UTSA,

will open the center at this college from 9 a.m.

to 3 p.m. every Friday. The Catholic Student

Center is at 312 W. Courtland Place.

“I wanted to offer (students) some kind of

service,” Liedecke said. “Fridays are my day off

at UTSA.” Liedecke also said he is trying to get

more students to attend Friday Mass and Meal.

The first Mass and Meal was held at 12:15 p.m.

Sept. 4. The program is to continue weekly.

“I am going to take charge to open for

Wednesday rosaries (also),” Arredondo said.

This decision was made after he received

protests from mothers of students wanting to

keep the center open, Arredondo said. Some

said they would come to the rosaries, which will

be said weekly at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays.

Arredondo said the San Antonio Archdiocese

is looking for someone to be a youth leader at

the center and at other campuses. “Aside from

the archdiocese owning the property, it main-

tains an official education office with a director

who oversees the Catholic campus ministries at

the colleges and universities,” Arredondo said.

Although the Catholic Student Center had

been inactive until last week, the Phi Theta

Kappa Food Pantry, which is housed there, has

remained open.

“I believe that beautiful building will come

alive again,” said economics Professor Susan

Spencer, who runs the food pantry.

The food pantry on the south side of the

center is designed to help college students by

providing free, healthful food.

Spencer said she uses the concept “feed a

body, feed a mind,” hoping that the food pan-

try’s efforts will help students stay in college and

finish their academic careers here.

The food pantry is open from noon to 3

p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Food may be

dropped off with Edie Huff at the reception desk

in the lobby of Fletcher Administration Center

any time, at 317C in Chance Academic Center or

at L&M Bookstore, 1716 N. Main Ave.

Catholic center continues with light scheduleFood pantry opens Tuesday

and Wednesday.

Dance sophomore Pamela

Herrera, president of the

Catholic Student Association,

reads the Bible Sept. 4 to

students during Mass at the

Catholic Student Center. The

center closed in June but con-

tinues having Mass and Meal

every Friday and rosary on

Wednesdays.

Susan Spencer, coordinator of the food pantry, distributes

a bag of food to social work freshman Maria D. Hernandez

Wednesday. The pantry is in the Catholic Student Center.



Leda Garcia

the ranger sept. 11, 2009

Documents