College life can leave students feeling overwhelmed, stressed or confused, but that is why seeking a school counselor is beneficial to students. School counselors and advisers provide students with help.
Chemistry and Health Science major Jocilyn Guerra said, “I see a counselor definitely mostly due to course scheduling and transfer plans. Each [counselor] has always taken the time to ask me how I am and that if I ever need anything or have any other questions to simply just talk to them about any problems or concerns.”
Recently graduated high school students who are coming into their first year of college can also feel overwhelmed. They are introduced to an entirely new atmosphere in a place that has higher expectations from its students. Many of these new college students may need to seek help from the school counseling program. Former Austin Community College student and Youth Ministry major Justin Zielecki said, “I think it is really important that these new students seek help from a school counselor. It is especially important for the first year-and-a-half so that students can get the feel of how everything works. They shouldn’t have to do it all on their own because that can cause unnecessary stress. Seeking help from the counselors can help its students enjoy their time at college.”
According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), Texas counselors must have a master’s degree, complete a school counselor preparation program, have two years of classroom teaching experience and a minimum score of 240 on the School Counselor Exam (TExES #152).
Counselors are certified to be a reliable source for students. “Students often trust their counselors or advisers because they are reliable,” said Guerrera. “They provide a lot of information on uncommon knowledge about college and life in general.” The ASCA recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 1-250.
When students walk into their counseling or advising appointment, some come in with an expectation of receiving help and knowing they’re cared about by the counselor or advisor. Zielecki said, “I have been to various appointments throughout my time at ACC. My experiences were very good for the most part, however, I did notice a few inconsistencies among the counselors and advisers. Some are really helpful and others make you feel rushed. LIke, ‘Good, got it. See you later.’ and you end up leaving just as confused.”
The ratio of 1-250 can cause students to feel rushed at times. “There are a few times where I have felt a little rushed during meetings,” Guerrera said. “Considering the enormous amount of students they have to talk to, I think that advising and counseling should be a much bigger and much more integrated system into student’s lives.”
Nonetheless, despite a few inconsistencies, many students continue to rely on and trust their counselor and/or adviser. With the qualifications that ACC’s counselors and advisers have, they seem to continue helping students be successful.
Now that the spring semester is in full swing, Spring Break is looming on some minds. Whether traveling out of town or doing a staycation, Spring Break is typically the time for decompressing.
Conveniently, Spring Break falls during the live music capital of the world’s most famous festival, SXSW. As many know, SXSW’s Festivals are divided into Interactive, Film, Music, Comedy and Gaming.
Typically SXSW’s Interactive covers a wide array of technology related panels with the potential to form connections for networking.
SXSW’s Film Festival is a mecca for global and national cinema releases. This year has an incredible 132 film features. This would be a good time for film lovers to get in and check out what is premiering. In fact, for any enrolled student, there is a substantial discount that you should probably take advantage of by going here.
ACC’s Music, Business, Performance + Technology (MBPT) department is calling for volunteers to assist in SXSW’s Music Festival. Many times, these volunteers have the opportunity to assist in stage operations throughout the festival. In fact, some previous ACC MBPT students have become Stage Managers due to their experiences as a volunteer. The volunteer call is general, so there are plenty of options for MBPT and other students
Since this past semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) has been working for you. SGA hosts events such as the talent show, DACA events, the Constitution Debate Day Celebration, book drives and more. The success of these events has been due to student contribution.
This semester brings some change to the structure of SGA. There will be a new Senate, promoting more student outreach to draw in more students. The new structure calls for Town Hall meetings on every campus. This will allow anyone to voice their opinions directly to SGA members. The intent of these meetings is to make easier for anyone at ACC to have their ideas heard. These ideas will then become the responsibility of the SGA.
This means SGA will take these ideas through the appropriate channels to make it a reality. The job of SGA has always been to ensure that every person at ACC has a voice and these Town Hall meetings will allow those who have not been heard to have their opportunity.
An ongoing project for SGA is the Open Education Resources. This project is working with the administration to supply classes with materials such as books and study materials, at no cost to the students. Several classes already offer this. “It’s still in the process, but every semester they add more classes,” says SGA President Richard Vega. “I’ve even taken one of these classes. It was a chemistry class where they used an open stacks chemistry textbook; which saves me $200 to $300. If you put this into the grand scheme of every student, that teacher might teach 4 or 5 sections, all those students are saving so much money. Those students
aren’t stuck working to pay off their textbooks, but instead, they are able to spend that time home studying instead. ”
Another ongoing project is opening of a 24-hour facility on the main ACC campuses. SGA hopes this will allow students an area where they can meet and study. SGA plans find how much an interest this has among the student population through a survey. The committee will also seek suggestions on what the students would like to be provided in these
24-hour facilities, if they do become a reality.
After the shooting in Charlottesville, philosophy professor Bryan Register decided it was time for Austin to step away from hosting vigils and break the silence. Having never organ
ized an event like this, he quickly gathered politicians and educators to speak at the Rally Against White Supremacy this past August. Register’s intention was to start the conversation about ending hate.
“The reason that people are supposed to work to overcome racism isn’t because they are personally responsible for it. We’re supposed to work for a better world.”
Living in the ‘Make America Great Again’ era, the nation is seeing a backlash from many groups. Feminists took to the Internet with #MeToo. The LGBTQIA community pushed against the Texas legislator passing the ‘bathroom bill’ (Senate Bill 6). Many ethnic and racial minorities flooded the streets during the Day Without Immigrants protest. Fists were raised during NFL games against racial injustice and police brutality.
In the current political climate it’s almost difficult to ignore the amount of controversy the Republican Party receives for backing candidates with bad behavior, like Roy Moore. To address these issues local voter turnouts are changing, calls are being made to government officials and protests are happening.
Patricia Hatcher, humanities associate professor, spoke at the Rally Against White Supremacy. “One of our speakers earlier said we are not born with hate. That’s true. Hate is a learned behavior. It’s time we unlearn it.”
The theme of the protest was to speak out against hate of any sort. Speakers ranged from various areas in the Austin community from Reverent John MacIver Gage to Mayor Steve Adler.
“Austin city council has its heart in the right place when it comes to issues about race,” Register says. “They are concerned about gentrification in East Austin. But whether their concern is translated into actual action is a separate question and we’ll be seeing what they do with CodeNEXT.”
CodeNEXT is a project designed to re-shape the city. This document contains over 1,000 pages, explaining a Land Development Code structured to make Austin a more livable city. The city council is set to publish the third draft of the code in February. So, as the cost of living in Austin continues to rise, so does the price of higher education.
“I think a lot of our processes are geared towards students that have come from privilege, who do have parents that went through the process or went to school,” says Black Student Association (BSA) advisor Latisha Marion. “Gentrification is happening, but it’s our responsibility to acknowledge that and try to adjust to fit those cultures or people trying to come [to ACC].”
In recent years, ACC has experienced a decline of enrollment from minority students. With organizations such as Black Student Success Committee, ACC is focused on recruiting and retaining students of color and/ lower income. Encouraging students to become members of these organizations is one of the strategies ACC is using to increase the number of students’ enrollment to completion. As members they are expected to act as peer mentors for other and incoming students.
“The feedback we’ve been getting from students is that they don’t feel comfortable,” Marion says. “Students that are in classes are saying, ‘hey when I came, I was uncomfortable as well. I didn’t know that I was going to be welcomed. Nobody looks like me or gave me attention I think I deserved.’”
Another way ACC works to combat these feelings is through their partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the Big Read. Claudia Rankine’s Citizen: An American Lyric is the chosen book for Spring 2018. Citizen is a book-length poem about micro aggressions. This project is meant to spark conversation among students, faculty and the community about being a person of color in a country with a legacy of white supremacy. The main intention is to provide insights growing from these discussions.
“The key is to keep the dialogue going about tolerance and anti racism,” says Hatcher. “That is how we will command change.”
Many put up a guard when topics about racism and inequality enter a discussion. However, at the rally, congressman Lloyd Doggett did not shy away from speaking against President Donald Trump empowering racist and white supremacists. Doggett’s speech started with, “in Austin, we don’t all have to agree on everything as long as we respect our differences. We need everyone in this community to turn up the heat on hate.”
However, people of minority groups have a tendency to adapt in heated political climates. Racial and ethnic differences have been in America since it was founded. The differences that have grown are showing from the majority.
“I think I hear about it more from our counterparts that are more distraught and upset about it,” Marion says. “Even the students that aren’t black and in BSA, want to do this [to speak out]…they’re enthusiastic about making the change and making voices be heard.”
Contrary to those students benefiting from white supremacy, Register says there is a difference for feeling personal guilt and taking responsibility for overcoming the consequences of these crimes. “There are many white people who become defensive when there is a question about their benefitting from white supremacy. And the fact is, I am not responsible for white supremacy. I did not own slaves. Also, I benefit from that history. It’s because I have this benefit from that history that I have some responsibility for overcoming these problems – not because I created the problems.”
As students work to turn up the heat on hate, some mentors suggest becoming involved through campus organizations, like BSA.
“On a smaller scale, I think that’s exactly how we bring about awareness,” says Marion. “That’s how we change things, how we make people change their minds about social situations and I think it has a larger impact than any protest can ever have, when you’re getting the people one on one and you’re teaching them something.”
Conversations about understanding people of color, the transgender community and everywhere in between can be seen in the media, but how do we act on them individually? One on one or in protests, the first plan of action towards ending hate is gathering together and speaking out.
“I think the next step is to move [conversations] onto our college campuses and get the student body involved,” says Hatcher. “During the 60’s the college community were the biggest voices and we need to have that happen again.”
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Written by Arleene Lozano Video by Sam Douglas Photos by Halie Davis
Students at the OXFAM Hunger Banquet as low-class
Hunger and Homelessness is a popular topic across the world. The United States alone is constantly struggling with this problem. There are 23,122 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Texas, according to the 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR). About 40 percent of the homeless in the U.S. are under the age of eighteen.
“I think it is getting harder [for students] to be self-sufficient,” Mass Communication major William Menjivar says. “Regardless of your income, whether you are at the 1 percent or not, I think at some point you are going to struggle. I think a lot of college students will sacrifice in the area of being able to eat so that they can provide in other ways, like having clothes on their back.”
Hunger and homelessness can derive from various factors in a person’s life like being born into poverty, being mentally or physically disabled, experiencing job loss, being incarcerated and more. People experiencing hunger and homelessness, may not have asked for this lifestyle but can’t seem to find the right help.
“When it comes to the topic of hunger and homelessness, I think that people are aware of it, however it becomes very easy to ignore,” Student Life Supervisor Kelly Brown says.
Throughout the city of Austin and its suburbs, it is unavoidably easy to spot someone on the side of the streets, and highways holding up signs and walking up and down the lines of cars stopped at a red light asking for some sort of help.
ACC recognizes the situation is difficult, so every year the Office of Student Life steps to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness. The Student Life Food Pantry program asked that each campus host a minimum of one program during the week of November 13-17, 2017.
The purpose and objective of this program derives from a statistic provided by the Wisconsin Hope Lab stating that “an estimated average of 13 percent of community college students may be homeless.”
Statistics from the OXFAM Hunger Banquet
With these statistics, ACC Student Life’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week hopes to provide educational awareness to these problems. According to Office of Student Life, the objective of this week is to raise awareness regarding hunger and homelessness at ACC and the greater Austin area, educate the student body about these issues and build support for solutions. Plus, connect students with resources and encourage them to act and volunteer with Operation: Riverbats.
During this week, ACC campuses conducted events such as a sock drive, cardboard brigade, a hunger banquet and more.
“I think that everything ACC is doing, is definitely useful to the community,” says Menjivar. “It definitely raises awareness of how serious the situation is and I think it adds some humanity to it.”
Every year, the Office of Student Life hosts theOXFAM Hunger Banquet. Brown says, “Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty and hunger. The purpose and focus of the Oxfam Hunger Banquet is to bring awareness to global poverty, hunger, and the efforts that are being made to stop it. Essentially, we understand that everybody walks with a certain amount of privilege in life and we want everybody to recognize that and give them an opportunity to discuss it and the ways that they can help those that are suffering from food insecurity and housing insecurity.”
With the certainty that at least one classmate is food insecure, ACC Student Life offers a free service to its students, known as the Food Pantry. Every Student Life office has a food pantry full of canned and boxed, healthy foods for students experiencing food insecurity. Two in three community college students are food insecure, according to the Wisconsin Hope Lab. This affects many students on the ACC campuses.
“We see that here at Austin Community College, you see it pretty much at any two-year, four-year, higher education,” Brown says. “What we want to do here is educated students that there are opportunities for them to get food through food pantries popping up across the nation or through programs like Aunt Bertha.”
Other local and national organizations that Student Life connects students with are Give Pulse, Feeding America, Covenant House, Students Against Hunger, and Central Texas Food Bank.
Aunt Bertha is a search and referral platform that helps those facing social needs to find and make referrals to appropriate programs and services for food, shelter, health, care, work, financial assistance, and more, according to auntbertha.com. This website lists free and reduced cost service programs in every zip code. This platform currently has 1,853 programs serving people in Austin – some of which include the 31 food pantries they have listed.
Feeding America focuses on creating a nationwide network of member food banks to engage the nation in the fight to end hunger, according to feedingamerica.org. Feeding America is a U.S. based non-profit organization with more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through many food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.
According to covenanthouse.org, Covenant House offers housing and support services to young people in need, reaching nearly 80,000 boys and girls every year by saving the lives of homeless, runaway, and trafficked young people. Almost 40 percent of the homeless in the U.S. are under 18. In the U.S. alone, more than 20,000 kids are forced into prostitution by human trafficking networks every year. 10 to 50 percent of homeless youth engage in survival sex, or the exchange of sex for food, clothing, or shelter.
Central Texas Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas. They work with donors across the country, financial supporters and volunteers to fill unmet needs in Central Texas. They assist families who qualify for federal assistance programs, share free food and knowledge on low-cost, healthy eating with families in need, and make food affordable for charitable government partners. Their website helps people locate places nearby if they are ever in need of a meal.
“College students should care about the homeless because they are people, just like you, me and somebody that is just trying to get by,” Menjivar says. “Maybe at some point, they fell down on their luck and did not have the means to get back up so they had to humble themselves to the point of asking for help. If I were in the situation, I would want somebody to help me out so we should open up our hearts to helping other people.”
This is not to say that all community college students are struggling. For those who are not, there are multiple ways to get informed and involved to help others who are going through these daily struggles. “In the Austin population, where we do have a large homeless population, they almost become fixtures that we get used to and therefore it becomes easier and easier to pass it by,” Brown says.
Students have an array of options to choose from if needed and the Office of Student Life can direct someone seeking help in the right direction in order to prevent skipping a meal. Having so many cities and nation-wide resources available at any moment for the hungry and homeless is a great start ending the issue of hunger and homelessness.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Arlenne Lozano
Video from the Student Life Chronicle
Motivation is a force that drives people to execute goals. Sustaining motivation can pay off in many ways; such as achieving personal goals, feeling successful or earning a reward. Hard work does pay off. Whether it’s working towards a degree or continuing education, the struggle to keep the motivation is real.
“I think we’re naturally goal-directed; we have a purpose for doing most things,” says ACC Counselor Dawn Allison. “‘I want this degree for this career’ or something like that, but then there is just every day slogging through the homework, studies, and attendance, so sometimes we lose sight of that.”
So, how can students keep the motivation going in the upcoming year and semester?
Have S.M.A.R.T. Goals: Specific – A person who knows what their goals are is off to a good start but it can become a problem if that goal is too broad. The more specific and narrow the goal is, the more manageable and achievable. Ask personal questions, such as: why is this goal important to me? What do I want to accomplish with this goal in mind? What resources do I have that will allow me to accomplish the goal?
Measurable – Having a goal that is measurable is important because it helps one keep track of the progress. Having access to measuring a goal opens the ability to stay focused and meet important deadlines.
Achievable – Having achievable goals is vital to the process itself. Continue to reach for the stars, but think about the realistic ways you can get there. Ask yourself, “what skills are necessary for a particular goal” – what is needed to build them – go from there.
Relevant–Sometimes a person’s goals are influenced by family, friends, other loved ones.
Another important question to ask yourself, “is this my goal?” Maybe trying to be an engineer, just because the family does it, is not what you truly want as a career. Making a goal personal can turn out to be very rewarding.
Time-limiting/Time-bound – Create a deadline or target date for each goal. Think about what you can accomplish in six days, weeks, months, and years from today. Think about what there is to do today i order to meet that deadline.
Prioritize: Students have a lot going on that requires a day-to-day balancing act. Prioritizing responsibilities can help make the tasks less intrusive, stressful and overbearing on one’s personal life.
Know What Personally Motivates You: It is important for all individuals to understand what personally drives them each and every day.Allison said, “We’re driven by something to look forward to.” Perhaps the source is money, a new car, a degree, or good grades.
See an Advisor/Counselor: Seeing an advisor can be important for students to find the help they might need. Students might need help with transferring, choosing classes, or knowing what their next academic step is. Educational goals can be either short or long-term, so it is important to take advantage of given opportunities. Make an appointment with a counselor at austincc.edu/support-and-services.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Nate Torres Video by Amanda Lanclos
There is no shortage of people considering going back to school. The associated, and often deterring, question is often, “is it worth it?” Many weigh this by considering if the time and money invested will lead to better job opportunities. The determining factor is often the area of study.
Despite the bumps in the road that the auto industry has been going through, there is no shortage of cars on the road. Vehicles, eventually need repairs. To service those repairs, automotive technicians will be in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for auto technicians will grow at a steady rate of 6 percent over the next ten years, averaging 2,300 new positions a year in Texas, alone.
In response, ACC has been training students to help meet the demand for technicians. Many students are finding work even before they complete the program.
“All of our students get jobs,” says department chair Mike Schoebroek. “Employers are calling all the time looking for employees. Typically it’s one of three different types of employers. Of course the dealerships, then independent repair shops, and then franchises like Firestone, Jiffy Lube, and Christian Brothers.”
ACC is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The department offers four certificates and an associate degree in automotive. With the certification, the school makes sure to keep the instruction evolving as the quickly as vehicles.
“I went to trade school in the seventies,” says adjunct professor Kevin McNeil. “These kids have to learn a lot more in the same amount of time that I did. [Cars] are getting more technical… it ain’t the seventies. You have to hook with a lab scope and a DBOM, read a schematic and do pin checks.”
For soon to be graduate Mike Lopez, the more instruction ACC can get him on the automotive industry the better. “I plan to further my career and come back to get the advanced certificate; which I advise everybody do. They have automatic transmissions II, alternative fuels, and diesel classes which they don’t teach for the regular certificate or degree so you come back and finish that while you’re working.”
Advanced degrees or specialization is a great advantage for those who are already in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor, specialization is a wise commitment reporting an increase from the average wage of $18 per hour to upwards of $30 an hour ($60000 per year) for those who specialize.
Honda has shown great interest in students looking to specialize with their PACT program through their partnership with ACC. This semester PACT is investing in ACC with a fleet of cars and specialty tools, so students are learning and working on Honda/Acura vehicles specifically. This program’s intentions are to provide students with many opportunities, especially those looking to find work at a dealership.
Howdy Honda’s shop foreman, says, “[Students] who come out of school with a PACT certificate are more likely to be hired here than the guy with the associate degree, because they’ve been working on our products.”
That’s not to say a generic automotive associate degree isn’t valued but as a former TSTC student, Bone says, “… when I came out I was ASE certified in all 8 areas and I didn’t have a clue how to work on a Honda. I had an idea how to work on a GM transmission or a Ford transmission but a Honda transmission is completely different.”
PACT will offer a 16-week certificate course as well as a two year associate degree similar to ACC’s generic program. Either way, time spent in ACC’s automotive programs seems to be a sure way to open doors to an automotive career. Bone says, “I like word of mouth but education, you can’t beat it.”
Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus
Starting college, there are many things to think about like paying for classes, which ones to take, where to live and more. Ultimately, ACC provides students with an education and sources to add to a resume to get a job in the appropriate area of study. However, not many know how to write a resume, or what to even put on it.
Many advisors suggest students build their experience at ACC by joining student organizations, volunteering, internships and anything that can give you experience beyond the classroom.
“I think the biggest mistake I see college students make when it comes to building their resume is, they don’t pay attention to anything except school,” says ACC advisor Don Bradley. “They do the bare minimum to get by and at the end they find themselves with a piece paper, nothing more. If an employer had a choice between two college graduates, one with a degree and one with a degree and an impressive resume of things they did in college who do you think they are going to hire?”
It’s not uncommon to attend class, go home and/or work and call it a day. However, the Office of Student Life offers multiple ways to to volunteer and participate in campus activities. If being on campus is too limiting, they can help you find ways to be involved in the community.
Bradley says, “I was very protective over my GPA and basically did whatever I could fit into my schedule. Doing stuff gives you experience and you never know who you might meet or what kind of connections you can make.”
Every job application should have a tailored resume and cover letter.
Resume Resumes should include several sections: your career objective, a list of experience and skills that pertain to the job and education. It is ok to apply to jobs before graduation, just be sure to place your expected graduation date under the education section. If a list of references isn’t asked for, then include it at the bottom of your resume. Have three or four references of current and/ past co-workers and managers who can speak, honestly, about your work ethic.
Cover Letter In addition to a resume, many employers, often, ask for a cover letter. A cover letter is a summary of your resume and a formal way of introducing yourself. This is the opportunity to explain how a past experience or skill set, listed in your resume, makes you a top candidate for the job.
“Sincerity is an important element to a good cover letter,” says Bradley. “Staying away from empty phrases also, give people the facts they need not a flowy paragraph about how you’re a people person. The absolute worst thing you can do is use your cover letter to kiss up. Being a kiss up is a big turn off and it makes you seem lazy,”
When writing a cover letter, try keep it about a page long. Human Resources and the managers are receiving many resumes and cover letters (if asked), so be sure to keep it short simple and to the point. Formally address the boss or company you are writing it to and close it with the best way to reach out to you for an interview.
The libraries on every ACC campus has readings that can help you build your resume and cover letter. Or you can visit their online guide at austincc.edu/careerinfo. For hands-on learning, the Highland ACCelerator hosts several Resume & Cover Letter workshops throughout the semester.
Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Tracy Fuller Filmed by Wes Eng Edited by Halie Davis
In August 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11, allowing individuals with a concealed handgun license to carry a handgun while on university campuses. ACC campuses have been mandated to implement this law, since the start of the 2017-2018 academic year.
This past October, the deadliest shooting in United States history took place in Las Vegas. A man carried 23 assault rifles to his room on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. He began to open fire on an open crowd at a music festival. This lead to 58 deaths and over 500 injured.
One month later in Sutherland Springs, Texas there was another shooting incident. A man walked into a church service bearing a Ruger AR-556 semi-automatic rifle, taking the lives of 26 people and wounding 20. In response to this shooting Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, “We are dealing with the largest mass shooting in our state’s history.”
In 2007, on the Virginia Tech campus, a 23-year-old college senior went on a massacre. This rampage began in the dormitories, leading him to the University. This is where he chained and locked all the main doors and continued to take the lives of others by storming room to room. The difference with this incident is that it occurred with a 9-millimeter handgun and a22-caliber handgun, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The assault left 30 people dead and 17 injured. In all, 27 students and five staff members fell as a result of the actions of the shooter.
Many debate if having a Concealed Handgun License will cut down on these shootings.
“I am not comfortable around guns or with people that have guns,” says an anonymous student from the Riverside campus. “I do not know if that increases my safety in any measurable way. I feel if people go through the ropes to get [their CHL], I cannot judge them for that. It is a process, and most people are responsible with it.”
It may be too early to determine whether or not this law will play any role on ACC properties. Since the law passed in 2015, there is a lack of data showing whether firearm incidents and violent crimes have increased or decreased. However, according to a study done by DPS, those who have their License to Carry have a lower crime and conviction rate than those without one.
“I do not have a problem with trained personnel carrying a concealed handgun to protect themselves or the lives of someone else,” says student Rob Paul. “The problem is when you do not have the proper education, training, and the proper temperament. You become more of a liability. My personal opinion is that anyone carrying a handgun hoping to use, shouldn’t have it.”
ACC Police Chief Lynn Dixon suggests these tactics, if a situation ever arises:
RUN. Flee the area and avoid danger, if possible. Head to the closest, safest exit. If the armed subject is outside the building, move away from outside doors and windows. Call 911, to give them: the location and physical description of the shooter or armed individual, number of suspects and potential victims at the location, and number and type of weapons in the suspect(s) possession
HIDE. Get behind a large heavy object or lock and barricade doors. Turn off all lights, get on the floor and out of the line of fire. For those who cannot get on the floor, create makeshift barricades to hide behind. Remain quiet and hidden. Silence your cell phone including the vibration setting.
Prepare to FIGHT. Commit to a plan of action if the armed subject or active shooter enters your space. Be aggressive. Improvise weapons and create distractions. You have the legal right to defend yourself.
Remain in place until an official “ALL CLEAR” instruction is given from police authorities. Listen and comply with police commands.
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World Community Club doing community service work.
The number one transfer college in Texas, ACC is not only a college for Texans, but students all over the world. International students contribute to the school’s development and diversity with the increase of 1.38% district-wide from 2013 to 2017, according to ACC’s 2016-2017 Fact Book. The increase shows that international students consider ACC to be a valuable institution, leading to greater demand for ACC to enhance their International Student Services.
For academic and language learning, ACC provides more than 100 areas of study, with credits being transferable to a four-year college. This gives students a variety of choices in majors to pursue.
Anh Vu, a first-year ACC international student, is very pleased with her first college experience. “The school help me find all the credited classes that I need to transfer to a four-year university,” she said. “I was able to learn thoroughly about my major– which is Computer Science – through the advisors.”
ACC also provides English Language Instruction, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Intensive English Program (IEP) for international students who wish to enhance their English skills. Porry Chen, a Chinese IEP student, has a good impression of the program: “The classes are fast but very effective,” she shared. “It gives me the opportunity to meet people from other cultures and practice English.” In addition to the English programs, ACC establishes English Composition classes for non-native speaker to create a delightful academic environment for international students. Wandaka, a student from Congo, says he received a lot of helps in the class. “Although the class was hard, I think if I have any trouble with study, the teacher and classmates will help me with it,” he said.
World Community Club organizing bake sale
The problem that international students have with ACC’s service is distance, as the International Student Office (ISO) has only two campus location: Riverside and Round Rock. Vu is one of many international students who choose Northridge to be their main campus. As a first-year ACC student, she had to go to the office four times to get her paperwork done. “It’s pretty upsetting that ACC doesn’t have any office in Northridge, I was really tired having to go [to the ISO] so many times,” Vu shared.
Porry Chen, who studies at Highland campus and Cypress Creek, said, “I don’t have problems going to the office but going by bus does take a very long time.” They all hope that ACC will extend International Student Services to additional campuses in order to save on traveling cost and time.
Regarding co-curricular activities, many international students at ACC find joining clubs and college activities to be unusual. One reason is that their culture stresses education as the priority, and overlooks co-curricular college development. Another reason is that there are not many activities that reach international students. Anh Vu, a student who has spent four years in the United States as an international, shared that she only knew about her club through the international student’s orientation. “You probably have to walk around and try to find other clubs’ information to join, which is very time-consuming and difficult for new international students,” she said.
Being a hard-working student, Anh Vu is also the Secretary of World Community Club (WCC). She likes to spend her free time doing club activities and meeting new people, as she was also an active international high school student in South Carolina. She wants to encourage international students to be open-minded to learn new things. “Joining WCC is not hard, you don’t have to attend to the meetings to join, all you have to do is email us or join the group on MySL and we will send you various events for you through email,” she suggests. “Student Life is also like a helping center for anyone who wants to meet new friends, you can definitely join them.”
Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.
The theme of the protest was to speak out against hate of any sort. Speakers ranged from various areas in the Austin community from Reverent John MacIver Gage to Mayor Steve Adler.
