Going to school at first for me was very overwhelming, not knowing if (after being out of the educational institution for 20+ years) I could succeed at it and feeling inadequate to keep up with those that are fresh out of high school. But now going into my third month, I enjoy going.
Waking up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings feeling fresh ready to see what I will learn today that I hadn't known before makes me feel productive. I normally show up an hour or so early because school is the only place I can go and have that moment of peace without distraction, so when I exit the bus or train I make my way to the ocean campus at 50 Phelan Drive and mount the steps or ramp leading to the Science building then on the elevator to the second floor down the hall and around the curve to room 215 where I am alone for a least 30 to 40 minutes before my fellow classmates join me to wait for our Instructor Neela Chatterjee.
After that class is over, I have a brief break but if I've got food I do as everyone does, eat as you go because I'm rushing to get to my other class which has become my passion: Ethnic Studies 37 with Professor Paliata in Bungalow 706. I rush because I want to get a good seat and I want to be on time. In order to do that I've got to descend 74 steps and a sidewalk that leads to Batmale Hall where I go in and take the elevator to the first floor and out the doors to the sidewalk that separates the track field from the soccer field and down the steps leading to the bungalows.
That all sounds wonderful and it's true for me, but the overall vibe on campus is anything but a smooth transition. It doesn't matter what the forecaster has predicted for the day in the city because at City College it's a whole different "ball game". With rumors swirling around like the fierce winds that push through at any given time without warning and the stress coming from student and faculty alike is overwhelming. Not knowing from one day to the next what's going to happen. Are we closing? Are we staying open? If we're closing then do I get my credits that I've already accumulated? For people like me this being my first semester are wondering, what about us? The faculty are wondering, will my department be cut today? Will I have a job to come to? What about my students? The Professors, Instructors and Teachers aren't here just for a paycheck, they're also here because it's their passion, they love being here, they love what they do and we as students feel that and appreciate them for it.
I am a very talkative people person. I don't really shun away from people but rather embrace them, and that's what I felt when I first entered the campus, I felt that sense of belonging too, no matter what, who or where you come/came from you fit in at "City," like one big family.
While in my classes I talk to my classmates and in passing I talk to different people, I don't know their names but if they want to talk I listen, if they ask questions I answer and the one thing that's been common is, "What's going to happen?" You can't focus on your studies when you're stressed out about the state of affairs at hand. We should no longer be in the dark about where we stand. That's why drastic measures have to be taken, that's why we have the sit-in's, the meetings going on on campus. Is it to much to ask for the truth?
The other day I was in the annex bookstore waiting to make a purchase when a lady walked in and started up a conversation. During our talk she said something interesting to a comment I made. She said "I don't think the Chancellor likes any of us and I have yet to meet her, I don't even know what she looks like". That struck me because, how do you not know what your boss looks like? Yes, that's right, the lady I was talking to is an employee at City and has yet to meet/see her boss. The emails are informational, Dr. Skillman, but your presence would speak volumes. We've seen your representatives on a few occasions but we haven't seen you.
Recently one of our students passed away in a tragic car crash with three of her other siblings (Rachel Fisi'iahi). There was a candlelight vigil held in the Student Union building where friends, teachers, well wishers and family came to share their memories of Rachel. But was the Chancellor in attendance? No, but one of her representatives was.
During the sit-in, students and staff wanted to meet with the Chancellor, some had been there all day long but around 3:00pm her representatives showed up in her place. When asked where was she, we were told "she isn't here, she's out of town at a conference."
What message is she sending out? I know for me it's to say I don't give a damn!
Maybe she is a loving, kind, and compassionate person. I don't know, but if you don't make yourself available to the people how are we really to know who she is? How are we to really know if she is with us or against us? If she never makes herself available. One thing we know she's good at is....laying people off. In my first article I stated that she had laid off 33 staffers. Well, I stand corrected: that number is actually 60 staffers as told to me by Shanell Williams (President-Associated Student Council).
On March 15, 2013 the Acceditation Committee will return to City College, but on the day before (March 14, 2013) there is going to be a walk out @ 1:00pm-RAM PLAZA(Ocean Campus). There will be a BIG RALLY @4:00pm SF-CIVIC CENTER. (All campuses will meet at the Mission Campus(1125 Valencia) at 2pm to march together to City Hall).
We want to make a statement, we want to save our school. City College of San Francisco is widely known and acknowledged to be one of the best community colleges in the country.This current crisis is largely the joint creation of two groups: the Accreditation Commission (ACCIC); secondly the interim administrators who have no long-term commitment to the school. We feel like this is an attack on tens of thousands of Bay Area residents, particularly from low-income, peoples of color and immigrant communites.
Please join us March 14, 2013 to call on the city's ELECTED officials to take immediate action. City Hall must ensure that Prop A funds are used for education as the voters intended. Stand with us in unity and in solidarity!